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
Programme
The syllabus explores the development of vitalistic materialism in the French Enlightenment through the thought of Denis Diderot, examining his transition from a static model of nature to one based on becoming and the self-organization of matter. Through the reading of texts such as the Letter on the Blind and D'Alembert's Dream, the course will focus on central problematic issues: the deconstruction of final causes, the epistemological challenges raised by the emerging biological sciences, and the rethinking of humanity's place in a cosmos devoid of a providential plan. This theoretical investigation will be consistently linked to its practical and political implications. The enterprise of the Encyclopédie will be analyzed as an attempt to overcome the historical divide between liberal and mechanical arts, inaugurating a "technical humanism" where the sharing of knowledge becomes the primary tool for emancipation from superstition. In this sense, the course will highlight Diderot's enduring relevance, providing the historical and philosophical categories to reflect on the contemporary nexus between technical-scientific innovation, secular ethics, and the democratization of knowledge.Core Documentation
Diderot, Interpreter of Nature: Selected Writingsm, trans. by Jean Stewart e Jonathan Kemp (original edition 1937)Reference Bibliography
One of the following texts: Arthur M. Wilson, Diderot (Oxford University Press, 1972) Andrew S. Curran, Diderot and the Art of Thinking Freely (Other Press, 2019)Attendance
Attendance – preferably in person – is encouraged, but not mandatory.Type of evaluation
The exam will be conducted orally and is structured to assess both the student's independent critical understanding and their precise knowledge of the subject matter. The interview will begin by allowing the student to present a topic of their choosing from the syllabus. This initial presentation will be followed by a direct dialogue designed to verify the logical coherence and significance of the proposed argument, as well as the student's ability to navigate the text independently. In the second part, the exam will proceed with more specific, detailed questions to ensure a thorough and accurate knowledge of the assigned texts, the author's conceptual frameworks, and the historical-philosophical context covered during the course.