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: 

«The philosophy of experience»

The course will examine the main features of the English empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume) with particular regard to the problem of knowledge and the theme of abstraction. During the course will be dealt with the issues inherent in the function of ideas, the theory of perception, the role of imagination, the structure of language and, finally, the characterization of Hume's skepticism as the outcome of a thought's evolution.

.

The course is scheduled in the first semester, 1th and 2th period (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday). The course is scheduled to start  on Tuesday, September 20th 2022. 1th period: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9-11, classroom D via Zamboni 34. 2th period (from November 9th): Monday 13-15, classroom D via Zamboni 34; Tuesday 13-15, classroom D via Zamboni 34; Wednesday 9-11, classroom A via Zamboni 34.

The course will take place in presence

 

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

Mandatory readings for all students:

1) J. Locke, Saggio sull'intelletto umano, UTET, Torino, 1971 ff., Libro I; Libro II: capp. I-III, VI-IX, XI-XII, XXII-XXVII, XXX-XXXIII; Libro III; Libro IV: capp. I-VIII (the text will be available in the "teaching material").

2)  G. Berkeley, Trattato sui principi della conoscenza umana, in Id., Opere filosofiche, UTET, Torino, 1996, Mondadori, Milano, 2009 (the text will be available in the "teaching material").).

3) D. Hume, Trattato sulla natura umana, in Id., Opere 1, Laterza. Roma-Bari, 1971 ff., Libro primo: «Sull'intelletto», pp. 5-285, or Bompiani, Milano, 2001 ff. (the text will be available in the "teaching material").

4) D. Hume, Ricerca sull'intelletto umano, in Id., Opere 2, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 1971 e sgg., pp. 3-175.

For further optional readings, one can refer to the essays contained in the following books:

a) The Cambridge Companion to Locke, ed. by V. Chappell, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1994.

b) The Cambridge Companion to Locke's "Essay concerning human understanding", ed. by L. Newman, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2007.

c) The Cambridge Companion to Berkeley, ed. by K. P. Winkler, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2007.

d) The Cambridge Companion to Hume, ed. by D. Fate Norton-J. Taylor, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1993, 2009 (second ed.).

For non-attending students, a book chosen from the following is recommended:

1) A. Pacchi, Introduzione alla lettura del «Saggio sull'intelletto umano» di Locke, Unicopli, Milano, 2008.

2) M.M. Rossi, Introduzione a Berkeley, Laterza, Bari, 1970 (the text will be available in the "teaching material").

3) A. Santucci, Introduzione a Hume, Laterza, Bari, 1971 (the text will be available in the "teaching material").

About ten lessons will be devoted to the topics relating to each of the authors treated.

The texts in the syllabus are available at the FILCOM library and at other libraries of the Polo Bibliotecario Bolognese.

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

 

Frontal lectures, textual commentary, class discussions on specific issues, dialogical lessons.

The course is scheduled in the first semester, 1th and 2th period (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday). The course will start on Tuesday, September 20th. 2022. 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 face-to-face are scheduled to start September 20th, 2022.

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.

 Lectures will be recorded and deposited on the TEAMS platform.

 

Assessment methods

 

Students will be evalueted on the basis of a viva voce. The oral exam 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