The course of History of philosophy of the Enlightenment is part of the program in Philosophy (BA level) and is included among the characterising training activities.
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to know the basic issues of the Enlightenment’s philosophy in relation to one or more theoretical debates that characterize it, and to their historical-cultural contextualization.
Furthermore they will have read in part or in whole one or more canonical texts of the Enlightenment thought (Locke, Hume, Condillac, Diderot, Voltaire, Rousseau etc.) and they will have focused on the basic issues and debates connected to it.
Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to discuss and to develop arguments both in a theoretical and in a historical perspective.
Students are expected to acquire the following skills:
- Critical thinking on the Enlightenment’s philosophy and on its relation to wider issues (both historical and philosophical);
- Language and argumentation skills required in order to deal with the topics covered in the course.
- Basic capacity to read and analyse Enlightenment philosophical texts (in translation).
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to know the basic issues of the Enlightenment’s philosophy in relation to one or more theoretical debates that characterize it, and to their historical-cultural contextualization.
Furthermore they will have read in part or in whole one or more canonical texts of the Enlightenment thought (Locke, Hume, Condillac, Diderot, Voltaire, Rousseau etc.) and they will have focused on the basic issues and debates connected to it.
Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to discuss and to develop arguments both in a theoretical and in a historical perspective.
Students are expected to acquire the following skills:
- Critical thinking on the Enlightenment’s philosophy and on its relation to wider issues (both historical and philosophical);
- Language and argumentation skills required in order to deal with the topics covered in the course.
- Basic capacity to read and analyse Enlightenment philosophical texts (in translation).
teacher profile teaching materials
1. John Locke, Essay Concerning Human Understanding (in particular chap. XXVII of Second Book). Edition: Laterza, or UTET, or Bompiani.
2. W. Uzgalis, Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding. A Reader's Guide, London-New York, Continuum, 2007 (pp. 62-73, available in pdf text in the section 'Materiali' of the Teacher's Home Page on the FILCOSPE Departmente web site).
Unit 2:
3. David Hume, Treatise on Human Nature (in particular Section VI Part IV Book I) Edition: Laterza, or UTET, or Bompiani.
4. Lorenzo Greco, L’identità personale in David Hume: dalle passioni all’etica, in «Thaumàzein», 2, 2014, pp. 247-264 (downloadable at the address: http://dx.doi.org/10.13136/thau.v2i0.26.g27)
Programme
The module introduces the analysis of the innovative theories on consciousness and personal identity elaborated between the end of the seventeenth and the middle of the eighteenth century by John Locke and David Hume, theories that have constituted inescapable points of reference around the question of personal identity in the subsequent philosophical debate and are still the subject of attention, especially by the philosophy of mind.The first teaching unit is dedicated to the analysis and commentary of Chap. XXVII of Book II of the "Essay on the Human Understanding" by John Locke. The second teaching unit is dedicated to the analysis and commentary of Section VI of Part IV of Book I of the "Treatise on Human Nature" by David Hume, dedicating part of the lessons to the commentary of passages of Books II and III dedicated to the theme of the ego subject of passions. To facilitate the understanding of the texts, reference will be made to some studies of scientific literature in Italian and English that are an integral part of the examination program.Core Documentation
Unit 1:1. John Locke, Essay Concerning Human Understanding (in particular chap. XXVII of Second Book). Edition: Laterza, or UTET, or Bompiani.
2. W. Uzgalis, Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding. A Reader's Guide, London-New York, Continuum, 2007 (pp. 62-73, available in pdf text in the section 'Materiali' of the Teacher's Home Page on the FILCOSPE Departmente web site).
Unit 2:
3. David Hume, Treatise on Human Nature (in particular Section VI Part IV Book I) Edition: Laterza, or UTET, or Bompiani.
4. Lorenzo Greco, L’identità personale in David Hume: dalle passioni all’etica, in «Thaumàzein», 2, 2014, pp. 247-264 (downloadable at the address: http://dx.doi.org/10.13136/thau.v2i0.26.g27)
Reference Bibliography
Recommended manual readings on the thought of Locke and Hume (especially for students of non philosophical degree courses): P. Rumore, "John Locke", in Giuseppe Cambiano, Luca Fonnesu, Massimo Mori (a cura di), Storia della filosofia occidentale, Bologna, il Mulino, 2014, pp. 135-161. P. Rumore, "Hume e l’illuminismo scozzese", in Giuseppe Cambiano, Luca Fonnesu, Massimo Mori (a cura di), Storia della filosofia occidentale, Bologna, il Mulino, 2014, pp. 321-354. Recommended readings for further information on the thought of Locke and Hume: J. W. Yolton, John Locke, trad. it. Bologna, il Mulino, 1990. F. Laudisa, Hume, Carocci, Roma, 2009.Type of delivery of the course
The course includes: • Frontal teaching; • Discussions with students and debates on the topics covered; • At least one seminar related to the topics covered in the course. In the case of an extension of the health emergency by COVID-19 all the provisions governing the conduct of teaching activities and student evaluation will be implemented. In particular, the following modalities will apply: distance learning through the University platforms; oral examinations at a distance through the Microsoft Teams platform.Attendance
Attendance is not mandatory.Type of evaluation
Verification of learning takes place through an oral test. In relation to the texts listed in points 1 and 3, the preparation of a written paper of 2,500 words to be discussed during the examination is required (of course also using the texts listed i points 2 and 4).The paper must be sent to the teacher at least 15 days before the oral test (exam). In the case of an extension of the health emergency by COVID-19 all the provisions governing the conduct of teaching activities and student evaluation will be implemented. In particular, the following modalities will apply: distance learning through the University platforms; oral examinations at a distance through the Microsoft Teams platform.