- Docente: Giovanni Bonacina
- Credits: 12
- SSD: PHIL-05/A
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Philosophy (cod. 6665)
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from Feb 01, 2027 to May 11, 2027
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student knows the general lines of the philosophical debate around history, the categories that innervate it, is able to critically discuss the most varied conceptions on the subject and to orient himself in the related theoretical and practical problems: the question of progress, the question of the unity of mankind, the question of the justification of evil in history; even before that, the very conception of humans understood as a historical creatures. Philosophical reflection on history and its tradition as a way of access for the student to understanding what we today call 'global history'.
Course contents
The Philosophy of History in Late Eighteenth-Century Europe.
That history is a subject of philosophical inquiry is a modern achievement, one that owes much to the philosophy of the Enlightenment and its belief in progress. Closely related to this is the notion of the unity of the human race. Different approaches to the subject have also taken into account the specificities of national cultures.
Readings/Bibliography
1. Compulsory Readings (selections to be defined):
N. de Condorcet, I progressi dello spirito umano, Editori Riuniti, Roma 2020.
A. Ferguson, Saggio sulla storia della società civile, Laterza, Roma-Bari 1999.
J.G. Herder, Ancora una filosofia della storia per l’educazione dell’umanità: Contributo a molti contributi del secolo, Meltemi, Milano 2020.
I. Kant, Scritti di storia, politica e diritto, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2025.
G.E. Lessing, L'educazione del genere umano, Mimesis, Milano 2018.
(Non-attending students must study at least three of the five texts in full).
2. Choice of readings (at least two):
W. Benjamin, Sul concetto di storia, Einaudi, Torino 2025.
J. Bury, Storia dell'idea di progresso. Indagine sulla sua origine e sviluppo, Eutimia, Napoli 2019.
B. Croce, Teoria e storia della storiografia, Adelphi, Milano 2001.
K. Löwith, Significato e fine della storia. I presupposti teologici della filosofia della storia, Il Saggiatore, Milano 2015.
Teaching methods
Ex cathedra lessons
Assessment methods
The final oral exam focuses on the programme’s material. The critical evaluation considers the fundamental notions, the level of the analysis and the critical skills. On the basis of these three principal parameters an overall evaluation in thirtieths is expressed.
18-21/30: Sufficient
22-25/30: Average
26-28/30: Good
29-30/30: Very Good
30/30 with praise: Excellent
Teaching tools
Individual lessons may be recorded and made available to students for listening.
Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended to contact the relevant University office in advance (site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it). The office will be responsible for proposing any necessary adjustments to the interested students. These adjustments must, however, be submitted at least 15 days in advance for approval by the instructor, who will assess their appropriateness in relation to the learning objectives of the course.
Office hours
See the website of Giovanni Bonacina