28013 - History of Philosophy (LM)

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide both general and in-depth knowledge of the history of philosophical thought. Lessons will focus on specific themes, contextualizing their analysis within the context of long-standing traditions. The course's goal is to enable students to independently approach the reading of classical texts and navigate the main interpretative and historiographical lines.

Course contents

Hegel's Prefaces to His Major Works

The course focuses on the literary genre of the preface, specifically in the case of philosophical works, and more specifically in that of Hegel's major works: the Phenomenology of Spirit, the Science of Logic, the Encyclopedia of Philosophical Sciences, and the Outlines of the Philosophy of Right. It aims to introduce students to a historically informed reading of the cultural background and specific content of these programmatic texts, whose widespread reception has strongly influenced the success of Hegelian thought. It also aims to highlight some translation issues.

Readings/Bibliography

1. Compulsory readings:

1) G.W.F. Hegel, Fenomenologia dello spirito, introd. di G. Cantillo, trad. di E. De Negri, Storia e Letteratura, Roma 2008, vol. I (in alternativa: a cura di G. Garelli, Einaudi, Torino 2008; a cura di A. Tassi, Scholé, Brescia 2024). ONLY THE PREFACE.

2) G.W.F. Hegel, Scienza della logica, introd. di L. Lugarini, trad. di A. Moni, rev. di C. Cesa, Laterza, Roma-bari 2022, vol. I. ONLY THE PREFACES.

3) G.W.F. Hegel, Lineamenti di filosofia del diritto, con le Aggiunte di E. Gans, a cura di G. Marini, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2023. ONLY THE PREFACE.

4)G.W.F. Hegel, Enciclopedia delle scienze filosofiche in compendio, trad., pref. e note di B. Croce, prefazioni di Hegel tradotte da A. Nuzzo, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2024. ONLY THE PREFACES.

 

2. Choice of readings (at least two):

G. Bonacina, Introduzione a Hegel, Il Mulino, Bologna 2025.

E. Ficara, Hegel on the Naturalness of Logic: An Account Based on the Preface to the second edition of the Science of Logic, in «Argumenta» IV/2, 2019 (https://www.argumenta.org/article/hegel-naturalness-logic-account-based-preface-second-edition-science-logic-special-issue/).

G.W.F Hegel, Il metodo della filosofia Le prefazioni alla "Scienza della logica" e alla "Filosofia del diritto", introd. di G. Cotroneo, trad di A. Spinelli, Le Lettere, Firenze 2012.

A. Peperzak, Filosofia e politica. Commentario della Prefazione alla Filosofia del diritto di Hegel, Guerini e Associati, Milano 1991.

G. Rametta, Filosofia come «sistema della scienza». Introduzione alla lettura della Prefazione alla Fenomenologia dello spirito di Hegel, Inschibboleth, Roma 2021.

A. Stella, La Prefazione alla Fenomenologia dello spirito di Hegel
Interpretazioni critiche e approfondimenti teoretici, Aracne, Roma 2021.

V. Verra, Introduzione a Hegel, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2024.

Teaching methods

Ex cathedra lessons

Assessment methods

The final oral exam focuses on the programme’s material. The critical evaluation considers the fundamental notions, the level of the analysis and the critical skills. On the basis of these three principal parameters an overall evaluation in thirtieths is expressed.

18-21/30: Sufficient

22-25/30: Average

26-28/30: Good

29-30/30: Very Good

30/30 with praise: Excellent

Exam sessions are scheduled for June, July, September, October, and November 2025, and January and February 2026. Even after this date, students who have not yet taken this exam will be able to regularly take it in subsequent sessions starting in May 2026.

Teaching tools

Individual lessons may be recorded and made available to students for listening.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended to contact the relevant University office in advance (site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it). The office will be responsible for proposing any necessary adjustments to the interested students. These adjustments must, however, be submitted at least 15 days in advance for approval by the instructor, who will assess their appropriateness in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Bonacina