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: «In the background of Sein und Zeit. The "Fundamental Discoveries of Phenomenology" and the Ontological Transformation of Phenomenology in Heidegger».

The course will deal with the presuppositions of Heidegger's philosophical reflection and the conception of philosophy that Heidegger outlines, analyzing in particular the basic components of the phenomenological method in the light of the formation of Heidegger's ontology. The course will also examine some of the fundamental characters of phenomenology on the basis of the situation of philosophy to which Heidegger refers, starting from intentionality, categorical intuition, the original sense of the a priori and the principle on which phenomenology itself is grounded.

The course is scheduled in the first semester, 1th and 2th period (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday). The course will start on Monday, September 20th 2021. 1th period: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9-11, classroom D via Zamboni 34. 2th period (from November 8th): Monday 13-15, classroom D via Zamboni 34; Tuesday 13-15, classroom D via Zamboni 34; Wednesday 9-11, classroom A via Zamboni 34.

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

 "ATTENDING" means both those attending face-to-face lectures and those attending online lectures; for "NON ATTENDING" those who do not fall into either of the above two cases.

Mandatory readings for all students:

1) M. Heidegger, I problemi fondamentali della fenomenologia, a cura di Fr.-W. von Hermann, edizione italiana a cura di A. Fabris con introduzione di C. Angelino, il melangolo, Genova 1995 (the text will be available in the "teaching material").).

2) M. Heidegger, Prolegomeni alla storia del concetto di tempo, a cura di P. Jaeger, edizione italiana a cura di R. Cristin e A. Marini, il melangolo, Genova 1991, pp. 7-173 (the text will be available in the "teaching material").).

3) A. Fabris, A. Cimino, Heidegger, Carocci, Roma 2009 (the text will be available in the "teaching material").).

4) F. Volpi (a cura di), Heidegger, Laterza, Roma-Bari 1997, pp. 57-157 (the text will be available in the "teaching material").).

 

One more book among suggested readings is mandatory for not attending students.

Suggested readings:

1) C. Esposito, Introduzione a Heidegger, il Mulino, Bologna 2017.

2) V. Costa, Heidegger, La Scuola, Brescia 2013.

 

In the first part of the course (about 10 lectures) more general issues, concerning the main features of the Heidegger's phenomenology, will be addressed. In the second part, 20 lectures will be devoted to dealing, respectively, with the more specific aspects related to Heidegger's texts of the indicated bibliography.

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 20th. 2021. 1th period: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9-11, lecture room D via Zamboni 34. 2th period (from November 9th): 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.

Lectures are scheduled to start September 20th, 2021.

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