Teaching code

4S007313

Teacher

Davide Poggi

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

M-FIL/01 - THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY

Period

Sem. 1A dal Sep 24, 2018 al Nov 10, 2018.

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

To show the organization of the course that includes this module, follow this link:  Course organization

Learning outcomes

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
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

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.

Examination Methods

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.


[[[UPDATE !!! UPDATE !!! Due to the COVID-19 emergency, the examination arrangements will be modified during the 2020 summer session, in accordance with the University of Verona guidelines: the examinations will be online oral exams. ]]]