The History of Philosophy course is a core course in Philosophy program (BA level) and has the following educational objectives:
1. to develop knowledge of the most important concepts and authors of modern and contemporary philosophy;
2. to promote an understanding of the historical and cultural contexts in which these concepts were formed
3. to develop the ability to apply the methods of analysis and historical-philosophical knowledge in the research work prior to the final examination
4. to foster learning skills and autonomy of judgement.
At the end of the course, students will be able to reflect on the topics addressed during the course, demonstrating that they have acquired a scientific attitude and have critical and self-critical capacity in relation to the texts discussed in the classroom.
In particular, students will have acquired
- ability to analyse a philosophical concept or problem from a theoretical as well as a historical-philosophical perspective;
- ability to detect contradictions in philosophical argumentation;
- ability to check the relevance and meaning of characteristic elements of conceptual expositions;
- ability to draw conclusions based on a plurality of observations and inferences.
These skills are also promoted through participation in seminars and through writing texts individually or in groups.
1. to develop knowledge of the most important concepts and authors of modern and contemporary philosophy;
2. to promote an understanding of the historical and cultural contexts in which these concepts were formed
3. to develop the ability to apply the methods of analysis and historical-philosophical knowledge in the research work prior to the final examination
4. to foster learning skills and autonomy of judgement.
At the end of the course, students will be able to reflect on the topics addressed during the course, demonstrating that they have acquired a scientific attitude and have critical and self-critical capacity in relation to the texts discussed in the classroom.
In particular, students will have acquired
- ability to analyse a philosophical concept or problem from a theoretical as well as a historical-philosophical perspective;
- ability to detect contradictions in philosophical argumentation;
- ability to check the relevance and meaning of characteristic elements of conceptual expositions;
- ability to draw conclusions based on a plurality of observations and inferences.
These skills are also promoted through participation in seminars and through writing texts individually or in groups.
teacher profile teaching materials
Module A.
The first part of the course, following a suitable conceptual and historical introduction to the philosophies of habit, will be devoted to an analysis of the French philosophy of habit in the late nineteenth century.
Module B.
The second part of the course will be devoted to an analysis of the pragmatist philosophy of habits and customs, through a commentary on texts by C. S. Peirce and J. Dewey.
This also applies to Erasmus students.
No prerequisites.
1. M. Piazza, Creatures of Habit: Habit, Custom, Second Nature from Aristotle to the Cognitive Sciences, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2018 (two chapters of your choice).
2. Marco Piazza, S. Sandreschi de Robertis (eds.), French Philosophies of Habit in the Late Nineteenth Century, Milan-Udine, Mimesis, 2025 (two texts of your choice from the anthology).
MODULE B:
3. Ch. S. Peirce, ‘The Fixation of Belief’, in Selected Writings, edited by G. Maddalena, Novara, UTET, 2013 (digital edition) (approx. 20 pp.) + Ch. S. Peirce, How to Make Our Ideas Clear, in Selected Writings, edited by G. Maddalena, Novara, UTET, 2013 (digital edition) (approx. 20 pp.)
4. J. Dewey, Human Nature and Conduct, edited by G. Baggio, M. Piazza, C. Silva, Milan, Raffaello Cortina, 2025 (except for sections 6 and 7 of Part Three)
For Erasmus Students:
1. C. Carlisle, Of habit, London, Routledge 2014.
MODULE B:
3. Ch. S. Peirce, ‘The Fixation of Belief’, i"How to Make Our Ideas Clear" (all editions).
4. J. Dewey, Human Nature and Conduct (all editions) (except for sections 6 and 7 of Part Three)
Programme
The course aims to provide an introduction to philosophical reflection – both historical and theoretical – on the concept of habit, in its various forms – such as individual and collective habits, ethical habits, physical and mental habits, etc. – from an interdisciplinary perspective.Module A.
The first part of the course, following a suitable conceptual and historical introduction to the philosophies of habit, will be devoted to an analysis of the French philosophy of habit in the late nineteenth century.
Module B.
The second part of the course will be devoted to an analysis of the pragmatist philosophy of habits and customs, through a commentary on texts by C. S. Peirce and J. Dewey.
This also applies to Erasmus students.
No prerequisites.
Core Documentation
MODULE A:1. M. Piazza, Creatures of Habit: Habit, Custom, Second Nature from Aristotle to the Cognitive Sciences, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2018 (two chapters of your choice).
2. Marco Piazza, S. Sandreschi de Robertis (eds.), French Philosophies of Habit in the Late Nineteenth Century, Milan-Udine, Mimesis, 2025 (two texts of your choice from the anthology).
MODULE B:
3. Ch. S. Peirce, ‘The Fixation of Belief’, in Selected Writings, edited by G. Maddalena, Novara, UTET, 2013 (digital edition) (approx. 20 pp.) + Ch. S. Peirce, How to Make Our Ideas Clear, in Selected Writings, edited by G. Maddalena, Novara, UTET, 2013 (digital edition) (approx. 20 pp.)
4. J. Dewey, Human Nature and Conduct, edited by G. Baggio, M. Piazza, C. Silva, Milan, Raffaello Cortina, 2025 (except for sections 6 and 7 of Part Three)
For Erasmus Students:
1. C. Carlisle, Of habit, London, Routledge 2014.
MODULE B:
3. Ch. S. Peirce, ‘The Fixation of Belief’, i"How to Make Our Ideas Clear" (all editions).
4. J. Dewey, Human Nature and Conduct (all editions) (except for sections 6 and 7 of Part Three)
Reference Bibliography
Tom Sparrow, Adam Hutchinson (eds), A History of Habit: From Aristotle to Bourdieu, Lexington Books, Lanham, MD, 2013. C. West, The American Evasion of Philosophy: A Genealogy of Pragmatism, The University of Wisconsin Press, Madison 1989. T. Dalton, Becoming John Dewey. Dilemmas of a Philosopher and Naturalist, Bloomington-Indianapolis, Indiana University Press, 2022.Attendance
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. This also applies to Erasmus students.