00399 - Theoretical Philosophy

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course you will have gained access to some major themes and figures in the history of philosophy, and the discussion of some perspectives emerging from contemporary thought will enable you to relate with the "perennial" character of philosophical work.

Course contents

Title course: «Phenomenology and radical empiricism in the William James' pragmatism»

 

The course will examine the main topics of the William James' pragmatism, analyzing in particular the phenomenological traits of his thought and the descriptive character of the psychology developed by the American philosopher. During the lectures  will investigate the following topics: the pure experience, the field of consciousness, radical empiricism, the fringe structure of the stream of consciousness, the structure of the self and the theory of personal identity, the doctrine of relations and the constitution of the physical world, the relationship between attention and freedom, the religious experience and the pragmatic theory of truth.

After dedicating some lectures to outline the context of the James' philosophy, each of the subjects indicated will be covered in three or four lessons.

The course is scheduled in the second semester, 3th and 4th period (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. 1th period: Monday, Tuesday, 9-11, lecture room VI via Zamboni 38, Wednesday 11-13, lecture room VI, via Zamboni 38; 2th period: Monday and Tuesday, 9-11, lecture room VI via Zamboni 38, Wednesday 9-11, lecture room III via Zamboni 38.

Lessons are scheduled to start January 28th, 2019

Readings/Bibliography

 

1) W. James, Saggi di empirismo radicale, a cura di S. Franzese, Quodlibet, Macerata, 2009.

2) W. James, Pragmatismo, a cura di S. Franzese, Nino Aragno Editore, Milano, 2007

3)3) W. James, Il significato della verità. Una prosecuzione di Pragmatismo, a cura di F. Bordogna, Nino Aragno Editore, Milano, 2009.

4) G. Riconda, Introduzione a James, Mursia, Milano, 1999.

The exam texts are the same also for non-attending students.Texts and teaching materials can be downloaded from "teaching material".

 

 

Teaching methods

Ex-cathedra lectures, textual commentary, class discussions on specific issues, dialogical lectures.
The course is scheduled in the second semester, 3th and 4th period (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. 1th period: Monday, Tuesday, 9-11, lecture room VI via Zamboni 38, Wednesday 11-13, lecture room VI, via Zamboni 38; 2th period: Monday and Tuesday, 9-11, lecture room VI via Zamboni 38, Wednesday 9-11, lecture room III via Zamboni 38.

Lessons are scheduled to start January 28th, 2019

I will be grateful to Erasmus and other Exchange students who intend to attend the course if they get in touch with me before the beginning.

Assessment methods

Students will be evalueted on the basis of a viva voce. The oral examination aim to assessing the student's ability to present and critically analyse the various views discussed in the course.

Grade assessment criteria

Grade range below 18 – Fail. Poor knowledge of core material, a significant inability to engage with the discipline. Very poor presentation.

Grade range 18-21 – Pass. Limited and superficial knowledge of the subject, a significant inability to follow the thread of the discussion. Presentation with many inadequacies.

Grade range 21-23 – Adequate. The knowledge is superficial, but the thread of the discussion has been consistently grasped. Presentation with some inadequacies.

Grade range 24-26 – Acceptable. Elementary knowledge of the key principles and concepts. The presentation is occasionally weak.

Grade range 27-29 – Good. Comprehensive knowledge. Good presentation.

30 – Very Good. Detailed knowledge with hints of critical thinking. Very good presentation.

30 cum laude – Outstanding. Excellent knowledge and depth of understanding. Excellent presentation.

Teaching tools

Blackboard, PC, Slides projector

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Besoli