27985 - Moral Philosophy (LM)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have improved their ability to read texts and analyse issues of moral philosophy, with a special focus on historical reconstruction and critical interpretation, bibliographic recognition, written and oral language and exposition. By making constant reference to historiographic traditions, the course aims at stimulating and inspiring the first autonomous research hypotheses in students.

Course contents

Course title: Kant: Nature, Duty, Politics

This is a monographic course on Kant, with particular reference to the intersections between pure practical reason, the rational-transcendental deduction of political power and its material-effectual constitution. A segment of the course is then dedicated to The Myth of the State, by E. Cassirer, as an example, in Kant's matrix, of a complex declination, under the urgency of the historical-political time, of the relations between culture and age.

Period: II semester, III and IV periods.

Days and times: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 9-11 a.m.

Location:

Until 31 March (plus possible extensions of the emergency-COVID period) lessons are held in "remote" mode.

Beginning of classes: 1 February 2022.

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

Two of the following three groups:

1.

I. Kant, Critique of Practical Reason (in any edition, as long as it is unabridged).

S. Landucci, The Critique of Practical Reason. Introduction to reading, Rome, Carocci, 2020.

2.

I. Kant, Writings on History, Politics and Law, edited by F. Gonnelli, Rome-Bari, Laterza, 2009/3.

F. Gonnelli, La filosofia politica di Kant, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1996.

3.

E. Cassirer, The Myth of the State (in any edition, as long as it is complete).

B. Henry - M.C. Pievatolo, Guide to reading the Myth of the State, E. Cassirer, Pisa, SEU, 1996.



Non-attending students are also advised to read the following volume: A. Guerra, Introduzione a Kant, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2010.

Partial variations are granted to attending students only.

Attending students may ask for minor changes in the programme.

 

 

Teaching methods

Teaching will consist in the analysis of the sources and in the reconstruction of issues and theoretical problems. Students' participation is encouraged (teacher-led debates, short presentations, etc.).

Assessment methods

Final viva voce. Attending students can choose an alternative bibliography (optional; previous agreement with the teacher is required). In order to pass the exam, students are expected to show a good understanding of the required readings and an ability to critically discuss historical reconstructions, themes and comparisons between the authors, using critical bibliography as well. The ability to critically interpret the reference sources and to formulate research hypotheses is appreciated. Students are expected to bring with them the books they have used to prepare for the exam. 

Teaching tools

Required readings; photocopies, slides, didactic materials.

Office hours

See the website of Riccardo Caporali