Learning outcomes

Profound examination and critical reflection on the relevant topics of aesthetics in general and on Hegel’s Aesthetics in particular.

Program

Title:
«Sensible appearance of the idea». Beauty between mimesis and ratio in the history of philosophy and in Hegel’s Aesthetics

Contents: The first part of the course deals with different relationships between mimesis and ratio focalizing on some of the fundamental passages in history (Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Rationalism, Empirism, Baumgarten). Furthermore, even fundamental concepts of contemporary aesthetics, such as the sublime and the genius in their Kantian and Goethean form, will be examined. This will be followed by an analytical lecture of Hegel’s Aesthetics, which is a milestone of philosophical thought. The analysis will start with the principal categories of the tradition of aesthetics and arts. Afterwards some of the principal moments of Hegel’s aesthetics will be examined with the aim of individuating vital moments for the construction of a modern aesthetics, which might be able, at least partially, to give answers to the questions that characterize both the practice of arts and the reflection on it. In this sense the course will conclude by analyzing Picasso’s Guernica.

Didactical Methods: The is structured prevalently by frontal lessons and lectures from the texts; the major themes will be items for a discussion.

Examination Methods

The exam consist in an oral discussion with the teacher.