10593 - Aesthetics (1) (O-Z)

Learning outcomes

The purpose of this course is to give students the basic knowledge concerning the birth and the development of Aesthetics, with specific attention to the origin of fundamental concepts such as genius, taste, intuition, imitation and so on. Secondly, the present state of Aesthetics will be analysed.

Course contents

The course will be divided into two parts: the first part will introduce students to the main themes, problems and authors of modern aesthetics. The second part will be devoted to a more detailed reading and analysis of David Hume's essays on aesthetics, which are considered true “classics” of modern philosophical literature.

Part I: Genesis and Forms of Modern and Contemporary Aesthetics.

The first part of the course aims to provide students with a general introduction to modern aesthetics, particularly in the British context, and to the theories of some of its major authors: Lord Shaftesbury, Joseph Addison, Francis Hutcheson. It will provide an insight into the genesis of issues and theories central to the history of aesthetics, along with the early definition of some of its fundamental categories. This approach will make it possible, on the one hand, to review the theoretical inheritance that modern thinkers have received from the classics; and, on the other hand, to show how their theories influenced and guided later authors, most notably David Hume, with reference also to contemporary currents of thought.

Part II: Experience and Aesthetic Judgement in David Hume

The second part of the course will focus on reading and commenting on the essays on aesthetics written by David Hume from the 1840s onwards, in order to reveal their most original theories. In the second half of the eighteenth century, these essays marked a major turning point in the study of aesthetics, if only because of their influence on Kant's Critique of Judgment (1790). Concepts such as 'taste', 'criticism' and 'experience' are thus examined through the lens of Hume's theory; echoes of these concepts in contemporary thought will also be considered. Through the analysis of Hume's essays, the course will provide a first introduction to critical reading of philosophical texts.

Readings/Bibliography

Part I

1) For a general introduction to 18th century aesthetics (mandatory):

F. Desideri, C. Cantelli, Storia dell’estetica occidentale. Da Omero alle neuroscienze, Roma, Carocci editore, 2020, only pp. 249-330 (ch. 5. “L’estetica del Settecento”).

2) One text to be chosen from the following:

Lord Shaftesbury, I Moralisti, Palermo, Aesthetica, 2003, only pp. 119-135 (ch. III 2).

Joseph Addison, I piaceri dell’immaginazione, Palermo, Aesthetica, 2002, only pp. 23-50.

Francis Hutcheson, L’origine della Bellezza, Palermo, Aesthetica, 2020, only pp. 25-39 (chs. I-II), pp. 47-50 (ch. V), e pp. 67-79 (chs. VI-VII).

Part II

Mandatory texts:

David Hume, La regola del gusto e altri saggi, ed. by G. Preti, Milano, Abscondita, 2022.

[Hume's essays are also available in: D. Hume, Opere filosofiche, vol. 3. Saggi morali, politici e letterari, Bari, Laterza, 1987.]

Whichever edition is chosen, a thorough study of the following six essays is required: 1) La regola del gusto; 2) La delicatezza del gusto e della passione [in Opere filosofiche the title is: La squisitezza del gusto e della passione]; 3) La tragedia; 4) La semplicità e la raffinatezza letteraria; 5) L’origine e lo sviluppo delle arti e delle scienze; 6) L’eloquenza.

The following texts are also mandatory for this second module:

A. Gatti, Genesi e forme dell’estetica moderna. Il dibattito inglese sul bello e sulle arti, Roma, Aracne, 2019, only pp. 169-184 (ch. VIII. “Il gusto di Hume per gli standard”).

E. Lecaldano, La “scienza della natura umana” di Hume e la bellezza dal Trattato ai Saggi, in “Studi di estetica”, LI, 2023, pp. 15-38.

 

Non-participating students should supplement their examination preparation with the following text: E. Franzini, L'estetica del Settecento, Bologna, Il Mulino 1995, pp. 67-114 only.

Students taking the 6 cfu exam only need to study the first part of the programme.

Teaching methods

The course consists of frontal lessons. The sources are commented and discussed, and their main content and historical context are synthetically reconstructed. Powerpoints of the study materials will be projected.

Assessment methods

The final proof will take place in the form of an oral examination. During the examination the teacher will assess whether the student has achieved or not some basic educational goals: knowledge of the texts and capacity to contextualize authors and works; comprehension of the fundamental concepts and capacity to provide a correct interpretation of them; clarity in the explanation of concepts and accuracy in the use of philosophical terminology; capacity to establish connections between the various authors and themes from both a historical and a strictly speaking conceptual point of view. During the oral examination the teacher will assess if the student possesses the abovementioned knowledge and skills in a (more or less) complete, precise and adequate way, or vice-versa in a (more or less) incomplete, vague and superficial way. The final grade will correspondently vary from excellent (30 and honors) to very good (30) to good (27-29) to fairly good (24-26) to more than enough (21-23) to merely enough (18-21) to unsatisfactory (<18).

 

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

 Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders have the right to special accommodations according to their condition, following an assessment by the Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact the teacher but get in touch with the Service directly to schedule an appointment. It will be the responsibility of the Service to determine the appropriate adaptations. For more information, visit the page:

https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students

Teaching tools

Further readings will be made available through the channels provided by the Unibo portal.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Gatti