B4962 - Bioethics and Environmental Philosophies(1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

The Course is dedicated to ecological philosophies and questions. It promotes the participation of the class in a conscious and reasoned debate based on moral argumentations. In this perspective the Course aims to the critical analysis of the environmental crisis and the related issues of bioethical relevance.

Course contents

THE ANIMALS WE ARE NOT

The course aims to present the main theoretical perspectives that are leading the international bioethical debate on the animal question.

In the classroom the most representative theses will be commented on and tested, thanks to concrete examples, which, starting from a more or less radical questioning of anthropocentrism, attempt to guarantee recognition and protection for non-human animals.

The most significant philosophical references will include essays by Jacques Derrida, Carol Adams, Peter Singer, Tom Regan and Martha Nussbaum.

An integral part of the course will be the classroom discussion of some ‘difficult cases’ in order to apply the argumentative acquisitions learnt in class, monitor their effectiveness, and assess their resilience as critical theories of animal rights.

Readings/Bibliography

TEXTBOOKS:

Jacques Derrida, L’animale che dunque sono, Rusconi, Milan 2020, pp. 35-171.

Carol Adams, Carne da macello, VandA.edizioni, Milan 2020, pp. 1-180.

Peter Singer, Nuova liberazione animale, il Saggiatore, Milan 2024, pp. 7-53, 261-99.

Tom Regan, Diritti animali (selected parts  in pdf).

Martha C. Nussbaum, Giustizia per gli animali, il Mulino, Bologna 2023, pp. 123-92.

The texts can also be read in the original language.

ONE literary text among the following:

Thomas Mann, Cane e padrone

Carlo Levi, Cristo si è fermato a Eboli

Else Lasker Schüler, La gatta rossa

Dino Buzzati, Il segreto del Bosco Vecchio

Mario Rigoni Stern, Il libro degli animali

 

For non-attending students, we recommend the text:

Simone Pollo, Manifesto per un animalismo democratico, Carocci, Rome 2021.

 

In view of the Course are organised:

the international conference The Animals We Are Not. History, philosophy, law to be held on 22 October from 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Mondolfo Lecture Hall.

The Course will also be flanked by Stefano Canestrari's seminar on relevant issues in Bioethics, scheduled for 9 October at 3.30 p.m. in Aula Mondolfo.

In addition, students on the Course will be able to attend the three meetings of the SIBB (Interdisciplinary Seminar on Bioethics and Biolaw), a newly-established permanent interdepartmental seminar, which interweaves philosophical, medical and legal knowledge.

The calendar of meetings includes:

Alberto Giannini on Care 7 October 11-13 Sala feste via Zamboni 22

Giuseppe Gristina on End of life 11 November 11-13 Sala feste via Zamboni 22

Vallori Rasini on Artificial intelligence 1 December 13-15 aula magna Fondazione lLrcaro via Riva Reno.

Participation in these activities (conference and seminars) is optional.

 

Class schedule:

Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.: Aula I - via Zamboni n. 38.

Thursday and Friday - 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.: Aula IV - via Zamboni, n. 38.

Beginning of the Course: I Semester - 9.17.2025

Reception hours:
From 10 September 2025, the reception of students will be held at 3pm every Wednesday, unless otherwise indicated in the Notices on the lecturer's webpage.
The reception is always without appointment;
it is also possible online by calling directly via teams. At the end of the in-person meetings, all those who have called (not written chat) will be contacted again by the lecturer.
It is advisable to always consult the lecturer's notices before going to the department. Occasionally other teaching or institutional commitments result in changes.

Teaching methods

§Lectures and discussion on bioethical themes and interdisciplinary seminars will be hold by experts working in the field.

§Lessons will be recorded (but not necessary in real time) and made available by accessing ad hoc virtual teams-classroom. Access is possible through the unibo institutional credentials at the link present from September on the virtual materials of the Course.

Assessment methods

§Final oral examination. Room 5.01 (str. Zamboni 38). On September there will be an examination schedule.

Evaluating criteria:

Expertise; practical reasoning ability; critical competence.

On the basis of these three main parameters it will be formalised in an evaluation expressed in thirtieths, which may vary according to the full range of available grades.

Notes:

18-21/30 basic level

22-25/30 moderate level

26-28/30 good level

29-30/30 excellent level.

§Exam sessions
During the 2025/2026 academic year, (for all students) exam sessions are scheduled in the following months (please note that the examination can be taken by both attending and non-attending students once the last lecture of the course has been held):

9.9.2025 h 3 p.m.

10.29.2025 h 11 a.m.

12.17.2025 h 11 a.m.

1.14.2026 h 12 a.m.

2.11.2026 h 12 a.m.

3.11.2026 h 12 a.m.

5.6.2026 h 12 a.m.

6.10.2026 h 12 a.m.

7.8.2026 h 12 a.m.

 

§Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD):

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders have the right to special adjustments according to their condition, following an assessment by the Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact the instructor but get in touch with the Service directly to schedule an appointment. It will be the responsibility of the Service to determine the appropriate adjustments. For more information, visit the page: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students .

It is recommended that students contact the University office in advance. Any proposed adjustments must be submitted at least 15 days in advance for the instructor’s approval, who will evaluate their appropriateness in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

In view of the Course are organised:

§the international conference The Animals We Are Not. History, philosophy, law

to be held on 22 October from 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Mondolfo Lecture Hall.

§The Course will also be flanked by Stefano Canestrari's seminar on relevant issues in Bioethics, scheduled for 9 October at 3.30 p.m. in Aula Mondolfo.

§In addition, students on the Course will be able to attend the three meetings of the SIBB (Interdisciplinary Seminar on Bioethics and Biolaw), a newly-established permanent interdepartmental seminar, which interweaves philosophical, medical and legal knowledge.

The calendar of meetings includes:

Alberto Giannini on Care 7 October 11-13 Sala feste via Zamboni 22

Giuseppe Gristina on End of life 11 November 11-13 Sala feste via Zamboni 22

Vallori Rasini on Artificial intelligence 1 December 13-15 aula magna Fondazione lLrcaro via Riva Reno.

Participation in these activities (conference and seminars) is optional.

 

§USEFUL LINKS:

http://www.governo.it/bioetica/ http://ec.europa.eu/research/biosociety/bioethics/bioethics_ethics http://bioethics.georgetown.edu/pcbe/ http://www.governo.it/bioetica/%20%C3%82%C2%8Ehttp://ec.europa.eu/research/biosociety/bioethics/bioethics_ethics%20http://bioethics.georgetown.edu/pcbe/]

Office hours

See the website of Marina Lalatta Costerbosa