78001 - Theories of Ontology (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to acquaint students with and discuss the main positions that have been developed on the theme of 'Being' throughout philosophical thought, with particular reference to modern and contemporary times. Of particular importance is the study of the principles, laws and structures of 'being' in relation to man's original situation as a being in the world, his intentional modalities and his ways of objectifying reality. This theoretical knowledge will be used to recognise and understand the concrete areas in which ontological theories are applied, focusing on the characteristics of scientific investigation and the forms of experience that structure the different visions of reality and that do not concern a mere 'discourse of being', but a being that manifests itself in human discourse about the world. This will be achieved through knowledge of the various theories of abstraction and concept formation, an understanding of the concept of truth, an investigation of the functions of language and theories of experience, an examination of the metaphysical assumptions and presuppositions that determine the understanding of reality, and the criteria for identifying and individuating objects. The aim of the course is to understand and analyse the ontological determinations present in the various currents of Western philosophy (naturalism, idealism, realism, empiricism, rationalism, positivism, materialism, spiritualism, etc.), particularly from the critical-transcendental, phenomenological and logo-linguistic points of view. The tools used to acquire this knowledge are the reading and analysis of texts, the acquisition of a basic vocabulary suitable for orienting the student towards ontological questions, and the reading and understanding of secondary literature essential for dealing with questions of subjectivity and objectivity in relation to the different senses of reality.

Course contents

Course title: Ontology and Phenomenology

The course focuses on the relationship between "consciousness" and the "world". Its objective is to examine the translation of some historically fundamental issues in ontology through the findings of Husserl's constitutive phenomenology. To this end, the programme is divided into two main sections. From Aristotle to Kant, through a reading of some of Heidegger's most famous theses on the history of metaphysics, the following topics will be covered: the historical genesis of ontology and its relation to metaphysics; the problem of being and categories, onto-theology, the division between general metaphysics and special metaphysics, the transcendental. From a phenomenological perspective we will deal with the notions of fact and essence; region, object and individual, formal ontology and material ontology, intentionality, natural attitude and phenomenological attitude, the phenomenological epoché and transcendental reduction.

Distribution of topics:

Of the 15 lectures available:

- 6 will be devoted to a historical-philosophical introduction to ontology;

- 1 will be devoted to a general introduction to phenomenology;

- 8 will be devoted to the discussion and commentary of passages from Husserl's 1913 work, Ideas pertaining to a Pure Phenomenology and to a Phenomenological Philosophy (Volumes I).

Readings/Bibliography

Primary literature:

E. Husserl, Ideas pertaining to a Pure Phenomenology and to a Phenomenological Philosophy, Vol. I, Book One: General Introduction to Pure Phenomenology (italian translation: Einaudi, Torino 2002, pp. 3-154).

M. Heidegger, Introduction to Metaphysics (italian translation: Mursia, Milano 1990, pp. 13-101).

In addition to the texts mentioned above, material relating to Aristotle, Kant and, in part, Heidegger will be made available in the teaching resources on Virtuale and will essentially consist of text excerpts and diagrams. In particular, Kant's § 39 of the Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics That May Present Itself as Science (Italian translation by P. Carabellese, Laterza, Rome-Bari 2019) and, in addition to Heidegger's Introduction to Metaphysics, Kant and the Problem of Metaphysics (Laterza, Rome-Bari 2006, 15-25) will also be considered.

Optional secondary literature (recommended for non-attending students, if necessary, as a study aid):

Manuals and handbooks introducing phenomenology:

R. Bernet, I. Kern, E. Marbach, Edmund Husserl, il Mulino, Bologna 1992.

V. Costa, Husserl, Carocci, Rome 2009.

D. De Santis, B. Hopkins, C. Majolino (eds), The Routledge Handbook of Phenomenology and Phenomenological Philosophy, Routledge, London and New York 2021.

Help text for reading Ideas pertaining to a Pure Phenomenology and to a Phenomenological Philosophy:

A. Staiti (ed.), Commentary on Husserl's ‘Ideas I’, De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston 2015. (optional)

Also the slides used during the lectures will be available in the teaching resources on Virtuale.

Teaching methods

Lectures; reading and commenting of texts; discussion on the main issues covered in the course.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of an oral interview, which will assess the knowledge of the texts and the ability to critically discuss the proposed issues.

Grade assessment criteria:

30 cum laude: Excellent, both in knowledge and in the critical and expressive articulation.

30: Very good. Complete, well-articulated and correctly expressed knowledge, with some critical insights.

27-29: Good. Comprehensive and satisfactory knowledge, substantially correct expression.

24-26: Fairly good. Knowledge is present in the main points, but it is not comprehensive and not always correctly articulated.

21-23: Sufficient. Sometimes superficial knowledge, but the common thread is understood. Incomplete and often inappropriate expression and articulation.

18-21: Almost sufficient. Superficial knowledge, the common thread is not understood with continuity. Expression and articulation have significant gaps.

Not sufficient: Absent or very incomplete knowledge, lack of orientation in the discipline, defective and inappropriate expression.

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders are entitled to special adjustments according to their condition, subject to assessment by the University Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact teachers or Department staff, but make an appointment with the Service. The Service will then determine what adjustments are specifically appropriate, and get in touch with the teacher. For more information, please visit the page: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students

Teaching tools

Slides of powerpoint texts and images to aid understanding of topics; Panopto; Virtual.

Office hours

See the website of Emanuele Mariani