04385 - History of Modern Philosophy

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to pinpoint and clarify the main problematic cruxes from the late Renaissance down to the Age of Enlightenment. The focus will be on the following areas: philosophy in the Renaissance after the rebirth of Platonism: interest in Hellenistic philosophy and modern scepticism; new models of rationality: the cosmological debate, mathematical learning, knowledge of the outside world, history torn between rhetoric and science; political philosophy: variations in the doctrine of natural law, the absolute State, a tempered monarchy, republican claims; the rise of economic science: protectionism, free exchange, theories of value; the encyclopaedic approach to learning. Via the reading of texts (some 300 pages in translation or the original) and via examination of the basic critical bibliography, students will learn to understand a philosophical text and grasp its significance from a historical angle.

Course contents

Modulo 1

Elisabetta Scapparone

«Scorze fabulose». Forme ed ermeneutica del mito da Giordano Bruno a Francis Bacon 

The theme of the philosophical value of fables and classical myths, which are capable of preserving a deep sapiential core – enhancing with the communicative charm and polysemic power of images –, experienced a period of great vitality during the Renaissance. This began with an indispensable source such as Giovanni Boccaccio's Genealogie deorum gentilium and found one of its most original and innovative interpreters in Giordano Bruno. If the Spaccio de la bestia trionfante is entirely constructed in the form of a grandiose mythological allegory, and if in the Lampas triginta statuarumthe plastic compendium of the architecture of knowledge outlined in the work resides in an imaginary museum of concepts/statues of the gods, classical mythology for Bruno, even in his early Parisian writings, constitutes a precious repository of symbolic forms, metaphors, and mnemonic-fantastic devices capable of conveying fundamental conceptual cores and arduous sapiential paths. These include the pervasive presence of the divine in the natural world, the fate of mutation and the experience of the furious, with its powerful dual reinterpretation of the myth of Actaeon. Mythology thus becomes an instrument of effective knowledge and moral progress, explicitly distanced from the contamination between fiction and fraud perpetrated, on the contrary, by the fabula turpis of Christianity. Attention to «fables, enigmas, parables, and similitudes» and attributing to them a supra-individual truth content, often invested with a delicate social function, also permeates the work of Francis Bacon, an author rarely placed in dialogue with Bruno. Among the philosopher's writings, the De sapientia veterum, with its reinterpretation of thirty-one 'philosophical fables', represents the clearest (though not the only) expression of an idea of philosophy as the understanding of the 'stories' produced by the earliest humanity, in which the «relics» of wisdom are hidden, where the life of nature, thought and language constitute an organic unity. Alongside the reevaluation of pre-Socratic philosophy, in an anti-Aristotelian function, Bacon shares with Bruno a reflection on the relationship between the 'alphabet of nature' and the languages created by men; on the cyclical rhythm of time and knowledge, and on the role of memory; as well as an interpretation of writing – particularly philosophical writing – as a complex device for both the manifestation and protection of truth. Based on these considerations, after an initial set of lectures focused on Bruno, the latter part of the course will be dedicated to a comparison between the two authors. This will address their respective conceptions of the history of humanity and a 'lost' truth over time and vicissitude, as well as their interpretations of the same mythological figures (Proteus, Cupid, Deucalion, Achelous, Prometheus).

 

Modulo 2

Diego Donna

Philosophers and Religion. Spinoza and Pascal Readers of the Bible

The course is divided into two parts:

1. Monographic course
2. Seminars

 

1. MONOGRAPHIC COURSE

The monographic course aims at reconstructing the different ways of transferring or rejecting sacred history in two fundamental works of modern philosophy: Pascal’s Thoughts and Spinoza’s Theological-Political Treatise. If Spinoza’s historical critique of the Bible deepens the demands coming from the metaphysical fracture between God and the world, between divine laws and natural laws, sacred history is, on the contrary, for Pascal the only one capable of founding a legitimate anthropology that gives meaning to the enigma of the human condition. Two opposing methods of investigating sacred texts that respond to the crisis in European religious conscience provoked by the processes of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, deeply affecting the birth of the modern conception of historical development.

2. SEMINARS

Seminars are scheduled in which the assumption of the historicity of the sacred texts will be read in parallel with the crisis of the providentialist idea of the historical course and the dissolution of the ancient cosmos produced by modern philosophical and scientific thought. Seminar times and materials will be communicated during the lectures.

Readings/Bibliography

Modulo 1

Elisabetta Scapparone

«Scorze fabulose». Forme ed ermeneutica del mito da Giordano Bruno a Francis Bacon

1. During the classes will be read the following texts (or any part):

G. Bruno, Spaccio de la bestia trionfante, in Id., Dialoghi filosofici italiani, a cura e con un saggio introduttivo di M. Ciliberto, Milano, Mondadori, 2000, pp. 457-670;

G. Bruno, Eroici furori, in Id., Dialoghi filosofici italiani, a cura e con un saggio introduttivo di M. Ciliberto, Milano, Mondadori, 2000, pp. 752-960;

G. Bruno, Lampas triginta statuarum, in Id., Opere magiche, edizione diretta da M. Ciliberto, a cura di S. Bassi, E. Scapparone, N. Tirimnanzi, Milano, Adelphi, 2000, pp. 928-1485;

F. Bacone, Sapienza degli antichi, introduzione, traduzione, note e apparati di M. Marchetto, Milano, Bompiani, 2000;

F. Bacone, Dei principi e delle origini secondo le favole di Cupido e del Cielo, presentazione di P. Rossi, introduzione, traduzione, note e apparati di R. Bondì, Milano, Bompiani, 2005.

 

2. In addition to in-depth knowledge of the texts referred to in paragraph 1, all students must read one of the following essays:

H. Blumenberg, Il futuro del mito, a cura di G. Leghissa, Milano, Medusa, 2002;

E. Cassirer, Filosofia delle forme simboliche, vol. II: Il pensiero mitico, a cura di M.G. Brega, Milano, Ghibli, 2022 (or any other edition);

C. Cieri Via, Nei dettagli nascosto. Per una storia del pensiero iconologico, Roma, Carocci, 2009;

Favole, metafore, storie. Seminario su Giordano Bruno, introduzione di M. Ciliberto, a cura di O. Catanorchi e D. Pirillo, Pisa, Edizioni della Normale, 2007 (limitatamente alla Prima parte: Indagini sullo Spaccio della bestia trionfante, pp. 3-308);

G. Giglioni, Francesco Bacone, Roma, Carocci, 2011;

Giordano Bruno. Filosofia, magia, scienza, direzione scientifica di M. Ciliberto, a cura di S. Carannante, G. Licata, P. Terracciano, Pisa-Firenze, Edizioni della Normale-Istituto nazionale di studi sul Rinascimento, 2019 (limitatamente alle sezioni Riforma universale, Caccia divina e Forme del sapere, pp. 227-406);

P. Rossi, Francesco Bacone. Dalla magia alla scienza, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2004;

A. Scuderi, Il paradosso di Proteo. Storia di una rappresentazione culturale da Omero al postumano, Roma, Carocci, 2012;

J.P. Vernant, Mito e pensiero presso i Greci. Studi di psicologia storica, Torino, Einaudi, 2001;

A. Warburg, Fra antropologia e storia dell’arte. Saggi, conferenze, frammenti, a cura di M. Ghelardi, Torino, Einaudi, 2021 (limitatamente alla Parte seconda: Immagine e parola, pp. 199-317 e alla Parte terza: L’eredità dell’Antico, pp. 323-515);

A. Warburg, Per monstra ad sphaeram, a cura di D. Stimilli e C. Wedepohl, Milano, Abscondita, 2021.

Further bibliographical information will be provided at the beginning of the lessons.

N.B.: The course program is the same, as for attending and not attending students. Anyway, students who cannot attend classes or who don't know Italian may contact the teacher (in office hours, and not by e-mail) to decide upon any additional or alternative readings.

 

Modulo 2

Diego Donna

Philosophers and Religion. Spinoza and Pascal Readers of the Bible

The following texts will be read:

A. Spinoza, Trattato teologico-politico (1677), capp. 1-2; 4-7; 15.

Trattato teologico-politico, in Opere, a cura di F. Mignini, O. Proietti, Milano, Mondadori, 2007, pp. 427-569; 649-659.

B. Pascal, Pensieri (1669), IV. Il problema dell’uomo; V. Miseria e grandezza dell’uomo; VI. Insufficienza della filosofia; VII. La religione cristiana; VIII. I fondamenti storici della religione cristiana.

Pensieri, trad. it. a cura di A. Bausola, Milano, Mondadori, 1971, pp. 135-401.

 

Studies (2 texts of your choice)

L. Strauss Come studiare il Trattato teologico-politico di Spinoza, in Scrittura e persecuzione (1952), trad. it. di G. Ferrara, F. Profili, Venezia, Marsilio, 1990, pp. 137-197

D. Donna, Norma, segno, autorità. Filosofia, teologia e politica in Spinoza, Bologna, BUP, 2018

P.-F. Moreau, Spinoza. La ragione pensante (1975), trad. it. di A.A. Cantucci, Roma, Editori Riuniti, 1998

A Matheron, Le Christ et le Salut des Ignorants chez Spinoza, Paris, Aubier, 1971

Th. Verbeek, Spinoza’s Theologico-political Treatise: exploring ‘the will of God’, Burlington, Ashgate, 2002

D. Antiseri, Come leggere Pascal, Milano, Bompiani, 2005

F. P. Adorno, La ragione ordinata. Saggio su Pascal, Napoli, La Città del Sole, 2000

A. Peratoner, Pascal, Roma, Carocci, 2011

A. Bausola, Introduzione a Pascal, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1996

D. Collacciani, B. Gramusset-Piquois, F. Toto (a cura di), Lectures du Traité théologico-politique: Philosophie, religion, pouvoir, Paris, L’Harmattan, 2021 (two chapters of the student’s choice).

The programme is the same for attending and non-attending students.

Teaching methods

Modulo 1

Elisabetta Scapparone

«Scorze fabulose». Forme ed ermeneutica del mito da Giordano Bruno a Francis Bacon

The course consists of 15 lectures, most of which are devoted to the reading, analysis and commentary of texts. The illustration of themes and concepts will be accompanied by the reconstruction of the cultural contexts and sources - classical and modern - that have nourished and enriched the reflections of the thinkers covered in the course.

 

Modulo 2

Diego Donna

Philosophers and Religion. Spinoza and Pascal Readers of the Bible

Frontal lectures and reading of texts in the classroom, together with discussion of the most important topics and direct participation of the students.

Assessment methods

Modulo 1

Elisabetta Scapparone

«Scorze fabulose». Forme ed ermeneutica del mito da Giordano Bruno a Francis Bacon

Final oral examination. Students who have attended the course will be able, if they wish, to integrate the examination with short essays or presentations on topics agreed with the teacher.

Assessment criteria

The goal of the exam is to measure the achievement of the following learning objectives:

- Analysis and interpretation of Bruno’s and Bacon’s texts;

- Knowledge of secondary literature works listed in the bibliography, combined with the ability to learn how to reference them in autonomous and critical forms;

- Knowledge of the history of Renaissance and early modern philosophy.

The student's ability to learn how to operate with confidence and autonomy within the sources and the secondary literature and the possession of a language and forms of expression appropriate to the discipline will be assessed in a particular manner.

Assessment thresholds

30 with distinction: Excellent results for the solidity of skills, wealth of critical articulation, expressive properties and maturity.

30: Excellent result: complete and well-articulated knowledge of themes addressed in lessons, with critical ideas, and illustrated with adequate expressive features.

29-27: Good result: complete knowledge and adequately contestualized, fundamentally correct presentation.

26-24: Moderate result: knowledge is present in the essential areas, though not thorough and not always articulated correctly.

23-21: Sufficient result: superficial or purely mnemonic understanding of the subject, confused articulation of the presentation, with often inappropriate expression.

20-18: Barely sufficient result: knowledge of the subject, articulation during discussions and methods of expression demonstrate considerable gaps in understanding.

< 18: Insufficient result, exam failed. The student is invited to attend a subsequent exam session where the essential skills have not been acquired, lacking the ability to orient themselves within the subjects of the course and of the same discipline and where the methods of expression demonstrate considerable gaps in understanding.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities

It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

 

Modulo 2

Diego Donna

Philosophers and Religion. Spinoza and Pascal Readers of the Bible

The attendance of the entire course corresponds to 6 credits. The oral examination takes place in the teacher’s studio and tends to verify:

1. the historical-philosophical knowledge acquired through attendance at the lessons, the study of the basic texts and the relative bibliography;

2. the degree of understanding and critical reworking of the proposed content;

3. expressive skills and the ability to orient oneself among the main lines of interpretation.

The registration for the exam is online on the ALMAESAMI website.

Verification criteria

30 cum laude: excellent proof, for solidity of knowledge and critical processing skills
30: excellent proof, adequate knowledge and expressive richness

27-29: good proof, satisfactory knowledge, correct expression

24-26: discrete proof, non-exhaustive and partially correct knowledge

21-23: sufficient proof, general knowledge, confused expression

18-21: barely sufficient proof. Poor articulation and relevant theoretical gaps

<18: insufficient proof, missing or incomplete knowledge, lack of guidance in the argument.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities

It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

 

Teaching tools

Modulo 1

Elisabetta Scapparone

«Scorze fabulose». Forme ed ermeneutica del mito da Giordano Bruno a Francis Bacon

Slides; Photocopies (limited to hard to find texts); Advanced seminars; Any individualized works.

 

Modulo 2

Diego Donna

Philosophers and Religion. Spinoza and Pascal Readers of the Bible

A collection of texts aimed at articulating the theme of the forms of elaboration and transmission of philosophy in the modern age will be made available.

Office hours

See the website of Diego Donna

See the website of Elisabetta Scapparone