Teaching code

4S007313

Credits

12

Coordinator

Ferdinando Luigi Marcolungo

Language

Italian

Moodle Seminars 0

The teaching is organized as follows:

Learning outcomes

I MODULE
The course intends to introduce to a classic of Modern Philosophy with the aim of highlighting the theoretical issues which concern both the philosophy of knowledge and the metaphysics. The purpose of the course is not only to provide students with conceptual grounds and critical methodology, but also to develop their hermeneutical abilities in order to make them able to understand the text, its fundamental assumptions, and its problematical implications, so that they could note both its logical structure and the potential contradictions. Together with conceptual clarity, the course pays special attention to the acquisition of the terminological precision, which is necessary to fully express the critical and speculative abilities.

II MODULE
The course intends to introduce to a classic of Modern Philosophy with the aim of highlighting the theoretical issues which concern both the philosophy of knowledge and the metaphysics. The purpose of the course is not only to provide students with conceptual grounds and critical methodology, but also to develop their hermeneutical abilities in order to make them able to understand the text, its fundamental assumptions, and its problematical implications, so that they could note both its logical structure and the potential contradictions. Together with conceptual clarity, the course pays special attention to the acquisition of the terminological precision, which is necessary to fully express the critical and speculative abilities.

Program

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MM: MODULO I
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SYLLABUS The contents of the First Module of the course of Institutions of Philosophy (during the Sem. IA, from September 24, 2018 to November 10, 2018) will follow the internal division of Leibniz’s Discourse of Metaphysics and Monadology, which are the subjects of both the course and the final examination: 1) General introduction to the course, bio-bibliographical introduction to Leibniz and to the philosophical context of the Discourse of Metaphysics and the Monadology; 2) Critical examination of the Discourse of Metaphysics; 3) Critical examination of the Monadology. DIDACTIC METHODS The teaching methods consist of traditional lectures axed on the reading and the comment on the texts of the Discourse of Metaphysics and the Monadology, with the aim of transmitting: 1) the key concepts of theoretical philosophy in general (with regard to the philosophy of knowledge and the metaphysics); 2) the key concepts of both Leibnitian philosophy and its exegesis; 3) the critical means that are useful for understanding (and for dealing with) the problematic issues involved in Leibniz’s thought. By means of power point presentations, the general introduction (bio-bibliographical) to Leibniz and his philosophy will be more clear and immediate, especially for the students who approach philosophy for the first time. Each lesson will be recorded in mp3 format and, together with all the material analysed during the course, will be punctually loaded on the e-learning platform of the University with the aim of easing the study for both attending students and those who can not attend lectures. During the academic year, an individual consultation service is also available at the teacher's study, at the times indicated on the web pages and readily updated. At the first lesson, students will receive the full calendar of teaching activities, together with the dates and classroom in which the lessons will take place and a synoptic presentation of the subject of the course. Any suspension of lectures for academic reasons will be readily communicated in the classroom, on the web site, and on the e-learning platform forum. REFERENCE TEXTS The texts required are as follows: 1) Gottfried Wilhelm LEIBNIZ, Discourse of Metaphysics: this text will be available as handout (in full compliance with copyright laws) ONLY on the e-learning platform of the University website: thus, distrust all those copy shops that propose the sale of the above-mentioned handout as “official”; 2) Gottfried Wilhelm LEIBNIZ, The Principles of Philosophy or Monadology, Italian edition with French original text, introduction, translation, notes by S. Cariati, Milano, Bompiani, 2001; this edition also includes both the Italian translation and the French original text of the Principles of Nature and Grace Based on Reason and, in the Appendix, both the Latin version and the German one of the Monadology; 3) Vittorio MATHIEU, Introduction to Leibniz, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2008 (o più recenti). The reference texts are the same for both attending students and those who can not attend lectures. Additional texts and teaching materials will also be communicated on the e-learning platform of the University website.
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MM: MODULO II
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Prerequisites: for the attendance of the course it is advisable to attend also the course of the History of Philosophy I, during the first semester. Content of the Second Module: the key concepts of metaphysics with reference to Aristotle’s text. What is the influence of this work in the history of Western thought? What is the difference with the Platonic approach? And is it possible to re-read Aristotle today, in order to rediscover the essential core of philosophical reflection? These and other fundamental issues will be discussed in this second part of the course. Reference Texts: 1) Aristotle, Metaphysics, edited by Enrico Berti, Laterza, Bari 2018. 2) G. Reale, Reader’s Guide to Aristotle’s Metaphysics, Laterza, Bari 2014 (recommended text for those who need of a general introduction). Every indication will be provided to the students during the course and will be online available at the e-learning section of the University of Verona website, where any further deepening texts and teaching materials will be indicated.

Bibliography

Examination Methods

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MM: MODULO I
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EXAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS The assessment of the learning outcomes of both the key concepts and the issues which concern the Discourse of Metaphysics and the Monadology will be done by means of an oral examination concerning the programme carried out during the course. This examination consists of questions to test the critical and argumentative abilities of the students, the textual exegesis, the conceptual clarity, and the acquisition of an adequate philosophical vocabulary. The grades are expressed in thirtieths (and in special cases the mention of praise is also granted). The examination is the same for both attending students and non-attending ones.
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MM: MODULO II
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Didactic Methods The teaching methods consist of traditional lectures axed on the reading and the comment on the text of the Aristotle's Metaphysics, with the aim of transmitting: 1) the key concepts of theoretical philosophy in general (with regard to the philosophy of knowledge and the metaphysics); 2) the key concepts of both Aristotle's philosophy and its exegesis; 3) the critical means that are useful for understanding (and for dealing with) the problematic issues involved in Aristotle’s thought. By means of power point presentations, the general introduction (bio-bibliographical) to Aristotle and his philosophy will be more clear and immediate, especially for the students who approach philosophy for the first time. Each lesson will be recorded in MP3 format and, together with all the material analysed during the course, will be punctually loaded on the e-learning platform of the University with the aim of easing the study for both attending students and those who can not attend lectures. During the academic year, an individual consultation service is also available at the teacher's study, at the times indicated on the web pages and readily updated. Examination arrangements The assessment of the learning outcomes of both the key concepts and the issues which concern the Aristotle's Metaphysics, as well as the interpretation offered by Enrico Berti, will be done by means of an oral examination concerning the program carried out during the course. This examination consists of questions to test the critical and argumentative abilities of the students, the textual exegesis, the conceptual clarity, and the acquisition of an adequate philosophical vocabulary. The grades are expressed in thirtieths. The examination is the same for both attending students and non-attending ones.