73073 - Theoretical Philosophy (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course you will have become familiar with some of the main concepts of epistemology; you will be able to reflect critically on their mutual relations and on the relations that connect them to other basic concept of philosophy; you will have acquired the ability to read and interpret with some autonomy texts of a conceptual and argumentative nature; you will possess the tools to study in more depth human knowledge and the various forms of experience; you will understand the relationship between the structuring of concepts, the thery of cognitive abstraction and the various modes of human experience in their practical, vital and behavioural aspects; you will be able to adapt the philosophical-conceptual tools in your possession to new problems and issues; and you will be able to conceptualise human knowledge as an open and non-dogmatic process of neverending transformation of our presuppositions. 

Course contents

Title course: «Phenomenologi and existence in the reflection of Ludwig Binswanger».

The course will examine the main topics of Binswanger's psychiatry and the so-called Daseinsanalyse, in order to highlight the influence that phenomenological analysis – from Husserl to Heidegger – has exercised on the definition of a non-naturalistic view of psychopathological phenomena, in which the anthropological meaning of psychiatric illness and the relative view of madness and delusion are condensed. 

 

The course is scheduled in the first semester, 1th and 2th period (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday). The course will start on Monday, September 23th. 1th period: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9-11, lecture room D via Zamboni 34. 2th period: Monday 13-15, lecture room D via Zamboni 34; Tuesday 13-15, lecture room D via Zamboni 34; Wednesday 9-11, lecture room A via Zamboni 34.

In the firts part of the course (about 15 lessons) more general issues, concerning the main features of the Binswanger's phenomenological psychiatry, will be addressed. In the second part, 5 lesson will be devoted to dealing, respectively, with the more specific aspects related to texts 2), 3), and 4) of the indicated bibliography.

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

Readings/Bibliography:

1) L. Binswanger, Per un'antropologia fenomenologica. Saggi e conferenze psichiatriche, Feltrinelli, Milano 2007.

2) L. Binswanger, Tre forme di esistenza mancata. Esaltazione fissata, stramberia e manierismo, il saggiatore, Milano 1964, SE, Milano 2017 (this text will be available in the "teaching material").

3) L. Binswanger, Melanconia e mania. Studi fenomenologici, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino 2006.

4) L. Binswanger, Henrik Ibsen. La realizzazione di sé nell'arte, Quodlibet, Macerata 2007.

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

English-speaking or other visiting students are free to the English (French or German) editions of these readings, if available at all. 

 

Teaching methods

 

Ex-cathedra lectures, textual commentary, class discussions on specific issues, dialogical lectures.

The course is scheduled in the first semester, 1th and 2th period (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday). The course will start on Monday, September 24th. 1th period: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9-11, lecture room D via Zamboni 34. 2th period: Monday 13-15, lecture room D via Zamboni 34; Tuesday 13-15, lecture room D via Zamboni 34; Wednesday 9-11, lecture room A via Zamboni 34.

Lessons are scheduled to start September 23th, 2019.

Please note that, in line with established Italian academic custom, each class will begin 15 minutes after the indicated time (this is to favour students we may come from classes held in different buildings). 

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, criticize and discuss the topics proposed 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