In line with the objectives of the entire CDS, the teaching of philosophy of action aims to provide:
1) A thorough knowledge of the main philosophical orientations around the theme of the action, both in relation to its history and in relation to contemporary discussion, with particular regard to its connection with the issues of identity, intersubjectivity, free will, voluntary/involuntary will and habits.
2) The ability to contextualize, analyze and critically interpret philosophical texts relating to the field of philosophy of action.
3) The lexical and conceptual tools necessary to study the philosophy of action and useful to acquire good exposition skills in written and oral form.
At the end of the course the student will be able to understand the general lines of the philosophy of the action, the related debates and to master some key concepts of this disciplinary area.
1) A thorough knowledge of the main philosophical orientations around the theme of the action, both in relation to its history and in relation to contemporary discussion, with particular regard to its connection with the issues of identity, intersubjectivity, free will, voluntary/involuntary will and habits.
2) The ability to contextualize, analyze and critically interpret philosophical texts relating to the field of philosophy of action.
3) The lexical and conceptual tools necessary to study the philosophy of action and useful to acquire good exposition skills in written and oral form.
At the end of the course the student will be able to understand the general lines of the philosophy of the action, the related debates and to master some key concepts of this disciplinary area.
teacher profile teaching materials
M. De Caro, “Azione e libero arbitrio”, in Id., Azione, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2008, pp. 37-67.
2. M. De Caro, “Azione e intenzionalità”, in Id., Azione, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2008, pp. 111-134.
3. D.M. Wegner, “L’illusione della volontà cosciente”, in M. De Caro, A. Lavazza, G. Sartori (eds.), Siamo davvero liberi? Le neuroscienze e il mistero del libero arbitrio, Turin, Codice, 2010, pp. 21-49 (essay included in the next updated and integrated edition of 2019).
Unit 2:
4. M. Piazza, “Credenze, disposizioni, effetti e regimi”, in Id., Creature dell’abitudine. Abito, costume, seconda natura da Aristotele alle scienze cognitive, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2018, pp. 131-165 (§§ 1-5).
5. W. James, Le leggi dell’abitudine, ed. D. Vincenti, Milan, Mimesis, 2019 (67 pp.).
6. B. Pollard, “Habitual Actions”, in T. O’Connor, C. Sandis (ed. by), A Companion to the Philosophy of Action, Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell, 2010, pp. 74-81 (an Italian translation will be provided by the teacher for educational purposes).
Programme
The course aims to provide conceptual and historical tools around the philosophy of action, privileging the analysis of the relationship between free will, determinism, intentionality, daily life and habits of action. The first module is aimed at providing both a synthetic framework of theories on free will in correlation with contemporary debate. The second module will focus on the specificity of the habitual actions, on which only recently philosophy, also of analytical area, has resumed to deal, in a close dialogue with psychology, sociology and neuroscience. For this purpose, some doctrines will be examined that provide key elements for reflection on the relationship between action, freedom and habits, including Aristotelian and Pragmatist. With respect to the latter, space will be given to the treatment made by William James on the relationship between habits and conduct of action, linking it with the current developments in the philosophy of action.Core Documentation
Unit 1:M. De Caro, “Azione e libero arbitrio”, in Id., Azione, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2008, pp. 37-67.
2. M. De Caro, “Azione e intenzionalità”, in Id., Azione, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2008, pp. 111-134.
3. D.M. Wegner, “L’illusione della volontà cosciente”, in M. De Caro, A. Lavazza, G. Sartori (eds.), Siamo davvero liberi? Le neuroscienze e il mistero del libero arbitrio, Turin, Codice, 2010, pp. 21-49 (essay included in the next updated and integrated edition of 2019).
Unit 2:
4. M. Piazza, “Credenze, disposizioni, effetti e regimi”, in Id., Creature dell’abitudine. Abito, costume, seconda natura da Aristotele alle scienze cognitive, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2018, pp. 131-165 (§§ 1-5).
5. W. James, Le leggi dell’abitudine, ed. D. Vincenti, Milan, Mimesis, 2019 (67 pp.).
6. B. Pollard, “Habitual Actions”, in T. O’Connor, C. Sandis (ed. by), A Companion to the Philosophy of Action, Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell, 2010, pp. 74-81 (an Italian translation will be provided by the teacher for educational purposes).
Reference Bibliography
M. De Caro, Il libero arbitrio. Un'introduzione. Rome-Bari, Laterza, 2004. M. De Caro, Azione, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2008. M. De Caro, A. Lavazza, G. Sartori (eds.), Siamo davvero liberi? Le neuroscienze e il mistero del libero arbitrio, New Edition, Turin, Codice, 2019. D.M. Wegner, The Illusion of Conscious Will, New Edition, Boston, MIT Press, 2017. T. O’Connor, C. Sandis (ed. by), A Companion to the Philosophy of Action, Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell, 2010. J. Dancy, C. Sandis (ed. by), Philosopghy of Action: An Anthology, Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell, 2015. F. Emiliani, La realtà delle piccole cose. Psicologia del quotidiano. Bologna, Il Mulino, 2008. F. Caruana, I. Testa (eds.), Habits: Pragmatist Approaches from Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, and Social Theory, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2020.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 4-5-6, 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 1-2-3). 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.