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
The course includes a brief introduction on Enlightenment theories of tolerance, a focus on Voltaire's theory of tolerance, an in-depth examination of Voltaire's position with respect to the Jews, and a concluding part dedicated to contextualising the issue of tolerance in contemporary times in order to offer insights into the enduring vitality of this concept.
1. Volatire, Treatise on Tolerance, any editon
2. Marco Piazza, Voltaire against the Jews, or the Limits of Toleration, London, Palgrave, 2022.
3. Denis Lacorne, The Limits of Tolerance, engl transl., New York, Columbia University Press, 2019.
A text to be chosen from:
4. Herbert Marcuse, Repressive Tolerance, any edition.
5. Michael Walzer, On Toleration, any edition.
Programme
The course aims to present Voltaire's theory of tolerance by placing it in the context of Enlightenment thought and by outlining its main features through the analysis of the "Treatise on Tolerance" and comparing it with Voltaire's position on the Jews. The latter represents an interesting case study to show the limits of this theorisation in relation to Voltaire's question of whether a Jew can also be a philosophe.The course includes a brief introduction on Enlightenment theories of tolerance, a focus on Voltaire's theory of tolerance, an in-depth examination of Voltaire's position with respect to the Jews, and a concluding part dedicated to contextualising the issue of tolerance in contemporary times in order to offer insights into the enduring vitality of this concept.
Core Documentation
Programme for Erasmus Students:1. Volatire, Treatise on Tolerance, any editon
2. Marco Piazza, Voltaire against the Jews, or the Limits of Toleration, London, Palgrave, 2022.
3. Denis Lacorne, The Limits of Tolerance, engl transl., New York, Columbia University Press, 2019.
A text to be chosen from:
4. Herbert Marcuse, Repressive Tolerance, any edition.
5. Michael Walzer, On Toleration, any edition.
Reference Bibliography
Denis Lacorne, The Limits of Tolerance, engl transl., New York, Columbia University Press, 2019. Maria Laura Lanzillo, Voltaire, la politica della tolleranza, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2001Attendance
Attendance is not mandatory.Type of evaluation
Verification of learning takes place through an oral test. The preparation of a written paper (in italian, english, french or portuguese) of 2,500 words is required to be discussed during the examination, which will focus on one or more of the adopted texts and will make use of the corresponding reference bibliography for further analysis. The paper must be sent to the teacher at least 15 days before the oral test (exam). For Erasmus students: the oral test can also be taken in English, French or Portuguese.