10053 - Philosophy of History (2)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students are able to know to know the main philosophical and political-cultural debates and critically discuss different conceptions that are compared in this area. Year also acquired the ability to orient themselves on the many ethical and political problems that such debates are closely linked.

Course contents

Thinking beyond evil? (II)

In continuity with the Philosophy of History (I) course, the Philosophy of History (II) course will explore the comparison between Leibniz and Spinoza on the question of Good and Evil in relation to their conception of God. The comparison between Spinoza's and Leibniz's philosophy begun last year will continue this year with the analysis of other works.

Although conceived independently, the Philosophy of History II (fourth period) and Philosophy of History I (third period) courses constitute a single path. It is therefore advisable to follow both. However, the student can freely choose to follow only one of the two courses and take the exam on the program relating to the one chosen.

The seminar led by Dr. Manuela Filomena Ottaviani, "Theatre, Cabaret and the Shoah. ‘Risus, ut & jocus, mera est Lætitia’ [Spinoza, Ethics, IV, proposition 45, scholium]", is an integral part of the course. The reference texts are listed in the bibliography.

Readings/Bibliography

Introductive part (mandatory)

A. Da Re, Filosofia morale. Storia, teorie, argomenti, Bruno Mondadori, Milano, 2003 (up to chap. 8.2); or: Da Re, Filosofia morale. Storia, teorie, argomenti, Pearson, Milano, 2023 (up to chap. 9.2, chap. 5 excluded).

 

Monographic part (mandatory):

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Saggi di teodicea, a cura di M. Mugnai ed E. Pasini, Utet, Torino 2000.

Baruch Spinoza, Epistolario, a cura di Antonio Droetto, SE, Milano, 2016 (limited to the correspondence with Blyenbergh).

 

Studies (one of your choice, mandatory):

M. Mugnai, Introduzione alla filosofia di Leibniz, Einaudi, Torino, 2001.

L. Vinciguerra, Spinoza, Carocci, Roma, 2016.

Seminarial part: (mandatory):

Antonella Ottai Ridere rende liberi. Comici nei campi nazisti, Quodlibet, 2016.

Carlo Sini, Il comico e la vita, Jaca Book, 2017.

for more informations:

Henri Bergson, Il riso. Saggio sul significato del comico, Feltrinelli, 2017.

Johan Huizinga, Homo ludens, Einaudi, 2002.

Aristotele, Poetica, Bompiani, 2000 ( o latra edizione).

Florence Dupont, Aristote ou le vampire du théâtre occidental, Flammarion, 2007.

For non-attending students (one of your choice, mandatory):

G. Deleuze, Spinoza. Filosofia pratica, a cura di Marco Senaldi, Orthotes, Napoli, 2016.

M. Stewart, Il cortigiano e l'eretico. Leibniz, Spinoza e il destino di Dio nel mondo moderno, trad. it. di Francesco e Marta C. Sircana, Feltrinelli, Milano, 2007.

G. Tomasi, La bellezza e la fabbrica del mondo. Estetica e metafisica in G. W. Leibniz, Pisa, ETS, 2002.

M. Laerke, Leibniz lecteur de Spinoza. La genèse d'une opposition complexe, H. Champion, Paris, 2008.

S. Nadler, The Best of All Possible Worlds: A Story of Philosophers, God, and Evil in the Age of Reason, Princeton University Press, 2010.

R. Andrault, M. Laerke, P.-F. Moreau (éds.), Spinoza/Leibniz. Rencontres, controverses, réceptions, Sorbonne Université Presses, Paris, 2014.

M. R. Antognazza, Leibniz. Una biografia intellettuale, Milano, Hoepli, 2015.

Teaching methods

The lessons include both the direct and commented reading of texts and the synthetic reconstruction of problems and paths. Particular attention will be paid to interactions with students (discussions, short reports, etc.).

During the lessons, interventions by colleagues are expected on topics and subjects complementary to the course.

Assessment methods

For attending students only, also starting from a text or an outline prepared by the student in agreement with the teacher.

During the interview the student will have to demonstrate excellent knowledge of the preparatory and monographic parts of the course, and with the aid of secondary literature, good ability to set up historical reconstructions, relationships and comparisons between the authors and the topics addressed in a precise language and appropriate: only this second skill allows you to acquire excellent results.

 

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders are entitled to special adjustments according to their condition, subject to assessment by the University Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact teachers or Department staff, but make an appointment with the Service. The Service will then determine what adjustments are specifically appropriate, and get in touch with the teacher. For more information, please visit the page:
https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students

Office hours

See the website of Lorenzo Vinciguerra