74957 - Theoretical Philosophy B (1)

Learning outcomes

The objectives of the course are to provide, on the one hand, the conceptual and methodological knowledge of theoretical philosophy; on the other hand, to continue and possibly examine issues of and/or theoretical and methodological approaches for the obligatory course of theoretical philosophy of the second year. Regarding the first aspect, it is to grasp the peculiarities of philosophical thinking with the analysis of cognitive, epistemological, ethical, logical, linguistic and psychological factors that characterize the speculative activity in its genesis, development and articulation, even in reference to the different historical and cultural contexts in which these activities are exercised. The key issue is the acquisition, by the students, of the concept of "relation" that , from the point of view of content and method, connects the mentioned areas of philosophical speculation into an organic whole, as determined by causal and conceptual links, and logical-argumentative structures. As to the development and deepening of theoretical issues, we have the following conceptual lines: a) gnoseology and epistemology, with a focus on modern and contemporary thought; b) phenomenology and psychology; c) logic and philosophy of language; d) semiotic, semantic and pragmatic structures of contemporary thought; e) philosophical biology and ethics; f) forms of existence and the conception of man; g) metaphysics and experience. In order to achieve this knowledge tools will be used as the reading and analysis of texts, the acquisition of a basic vocabulary designed to encourage students to orient themselves unequivocally in theoretical issues; the reading and understanding of secondary literature, in order to prepare the critical tools to deal with speculative investigations; the discussions during lectures around specific important theoretical issues (life, existence, knowledge, reality, mind, consciousness, truth, idea, well, value, communication, person).

Course contents

Course title: «The Seducer's Diary and the Aesthetics of Don Giovanni in the Kierkegaard's Philosophy of Existence»..

The aim of the course is to introduce the main aspects of the Kierkegaard's philosophy, with particular reference to the topic of aesthetic vision of life. The following main topics will be addressed in the course: the mask's role in the kierkegaardian works; the romantic conception of art; the notion of choice between different posibilities of life; the marriage and woman's role; the themes of the seduction, of the boredom and the melancholy; the relationship between sensuality and music; the seducer's character; the immediacy of erotic desire; Faust and Don Giovanni; desire, knowledge and pleasure; the demonic; freedom and libertinism; anxiety and desire.

 

The course will start on Monday, March 12th, 2018.The course is scheduled in the second semester, 4th period, lecture room D, via Zamboni 34 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9-11).

Readings/Bibliography

Readings/Bibliography

1) S. Kierkegaard, Diario del seduttore, BUR, Milano, 2005, 2017.

2) S. Kierkegaard, Don Giovanni, Gli stadi erotici immediati, ovvero il musicale erotico, SE, Milano, 2015.

3) E. Rocca, Kierkegaard, Carocci, Roma, 2013.

English-speaking or other visiting students are free to refer to the English editions of the kierkegaardian works.

The exam texts are the same also for non-attending students. Texts and teaching materials can be downloaded from http://campus.unibo.it/

Teaching methods

Ex-cathedra lectures, textual commentary, class discussions  on specific issues, dialogical lectures.
The course is scheduled in the second semester, 4th period, lecture room D, via Zamboni 34 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9-11).

The course will start on Monday, March 12th.

Assessment methods

Students will be evaluated on the basis on a viva voce. The oral examination aim at assessing the student's ability to present and critically analyse the various views discussed in the course.

Grade assessment criteria

Grade range below 18 – Fail. Poor knowledge of core material, a significant inability to engage with the discipline. Very poor presentation.

Grade range 18-21 – Pass. Limited and superficial knowledge of the subject, a significant inability to follow the thread of the discussion. Presentation with many inadequacies.

Grade range 21-23 – Adequate. The knowledge is superficial, but the thread of the discussion has been consistently grasped. Presentation with some inadequacies.

Grade range 24-26 – Acceptable. Elementary knowledge of the key principles and concepts. The presentation is occasionally weak.

Grade range 27-29 – Good. Comprehensive knowledge. Good presentation.

30 – Very Good. Detailed knowledge with hints of critical thinking. Very good presentation.

30 cum laude – Outstanding. Excellent knowledge and depth of understanding. Excellent presentation.

Teaching tools

Blackboard, Pc, Slides projector

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Besoli