Learning objectives

The course aims to provide examples of the contribution that philosophy can bring: - to the understanding of political problems, as an exercise in critical thinking; - to public communication, as a practice of rational argumentation. At the end of the course the student should demonstrate: - to have acquired a precise knowledge of the topics addressed in the course; - to be able to expose them in an orderly and synthetic way; - to have developed the ability to formulate its/her own judgment.

Prerequisites and basic notions

The course does not require any specific prerequisites.

Program

DEMOCRACY, TRUTH, AND PUBLIC DISCOURSE
The course aims to analyze the relationship between democracy, truth, and public discourse in contemporary societies, by investigating the properly political dimension of “truth-telling.” Drawing on the modern and contemporary tradition of political philosophy, the course addresses the problem of truth not as an epistemological issue, but as an intrinsically political one: who is entitled to speak the truth in the public sphere? Under what conditions does public discourse contribute to democratic life, and when does it instead destabilize or transform it?
The first part of the course is devoted to the tradition of political philosophy, with particular attention to the fundamental concepts of democracy, freedom, and the public sphere, from ancient thought to modern and contemporary philosophy (the Sophists; Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Tocqueville, Mill, Arendt). This path allows for the reconstruction of the main theoretical categories necessary to understand the relationship between opinion, truth, and politics.
The second part of the course focuses on the contemporary dimension of the problem of truth in politics. Through the reflections of Hannah Arendt and Michel Foucault, the course analyzes the “political force of truth” and practices of truth-telling within the democratic public sphere. In particular, it examines Arendt’s essays on the relationship between truth and politics and the problem of lying in democratic systems, alongside Foucault’s reflection on parrhesia as a practice of truth-telling and a form of political subjectivation.
From a political-philosophical perspective, the course addresses key issues of contemporary democracies, such as the crisis of factual truth, the transformation of public discourse in media and digital contexts, and the relationship between freedom of expression, public opinion, and the responsibility of political language.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The lectures in the first part of the course, dedicated to the foundations of political philosophy, will be delivered in a lecture-based format and supplemented by guided classroom discussions.
The lectures in the second module will instead focus on the analysis of texts by Hannah Arendt and Michel Foucault and will be based on participatory discussion, starting from the reading and shared interpretation of the texts included in the syllabus.
On the first day of class, the course topics, schedule of activities, required readings, and examination methods will be presented.

Learning assessment procedures

The final examination will assess students’ understanding of the concepts, themes, and texts covered during the course.
The exam will be written and will consist of both open-ended questions and multiple-choice questions.

Evaluation criteria

The following will be assessed:
- knowledge of the fundamental theoretical content;
- clarity, accuracy, and appropriateness of written expression;
- argumentative and critical skills.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

70% knowledge of the topics covered
30% argumentative ability

Exam language

Italiano

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