27985 - Moral Philosophy (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student perfects the methodologies of reading texts and themes related to Moral Philosophy, with particular regard to the skills of historical-critical reconstruction and evaluation, bibliographical reconnaissance, linguistic mastery and correct exposition, written and oral. In constant reference to the most established historiographical traditions, the purpose of the course is also the solicitation and initiation of the student in the formulation of initial, autonomous hypotheses for in-depth study and research.

Course contents

The ways of liberation: ethics, art and politics in Spinoza

This year's course aims to continue the course of study undertaken a few years ago through the work and thought of Baruch Spinoza. It will be divided into two modules. Lectures in period III will be given by Prof. Lorenzo Vinciguerra, those in period IV by Prof. Filippo Del Lucchese, respectively director and vice-director of Sive Natura. International Center for Spinozan Studies (ICSS): https://site.unibo.it/sivenatura/en

In the first module (period III), after a general introduction to Spinozism, the course aims to study propositions 45-73 of the fourth part of the Ethics. With an eye to our contemporary times, special attention will be brought to the ethical, aesthetic and psychoanalytic aspects contained in the last part of Part IV of Spinoza's masterpiece.

The objective of the module is the study of multiple aspects of Spinoza's ethical-political thought and Spinozism. The tools for achieving this knowledge are the critical-analytical reading of this author's texts, in particular Part IV of the Ethics and the Theologico-political and Political treatises, as well as the study of the theoretical roots and the historical-philosophical context in which the author lived and worked. The objectives pursued will include the acquisition of a vocabulary suitable for orientation with regard to the moral and political issues in question, as well as knowledge of the secondary literature essential for contextualising these issues within the framework of the historiographical debate.

During the lectures, talks by members of the Sive Natura. International Center for Spinozan Studies (ICSS) are scheduled. Dr. Matteo Camerini will introduce the course; Dr. Manuela Filomena Ottaviani will give a seminar on “L. A. Salomé and Simone De Beauvoir.”

Readings/Bibliography

1. Reference texte, recommended editions (required):

a) Spinoza, Ethics:

Spinoza, Ethica/Etica, testo e trad. a cura di P. Cristofolini, ETS, Pisa, 2014 (parte IV). 

b) Spinoza, Trattato teologico-politico, introduzione di E. Giancotti-Boscherini, traduzione e commenti di A. Droetto e E. Giancotti-Boscherini Einaudi, Torino, 1980 (chapp. IV e XVI-XX).

c) Spinoza, Trattato politico, a cura di P. Cristofolini, ETS, Pisa, 1999.

d) Salomé L. A., Die Erotik (trad. it.) L’erotismo, VandAedizioni, 2022.

e)Simone De Beauvoir, Le deuxième sexe (trad. it.), Il secondo sesso, Il Saggiatore, 2016 (parti scelte).

 

 

2. Monography (required):

Vinciguerra L., Spinoza, Carocci, “Pensatori”, Roma, 2015 (2019).

 

3. Studies (required):

Del Lucchese F., Tumulti e indignazione: conflitto, diritto e moltitudine in Machiavelli e Spinoza, Ghibli, Milano, 2004.

Vinciguerra L. e Moreau P.-F. (ed.), Pensare le arti con Spinoza, tr. it. di Miriam Cipriani, Mimesis, Milano, 2023 (three essais of your choice).

 

3.1. For non-attending students, a text of your choice (required):

Cristofolini P., L’uomo libero. L’eresia spinozista alle radici dell’Europa moderna, ETS, Pisa, 2007.

Sangiacomo A., Homo liber. Verso una morale spinoziana, Mimesis, Milano, 2013.

Negri A., L'anomalia selvaggia. Saggio su potere e potenza in Spinoza, Feltrinelli, Milano, 1981.

Deleuze, G., Spinoza e il problema dell'espressione, Quolibet, Macerata, 2020.

 

4. For further study (optional):

Balibar, E., Spinoza e il transindividuale, Mimesis, Milano, 2002.

Deleuze G., Spinoza. Filosofia pratica, trad. it. di M. Senaldi, Guerini, Milano, 1991.

Freud S., Al di là del principio di piacere, tr. it. Anna Maria Marietti Solmi e Renata Colorni, Bollati Boringhieri, Milano, 1986; oppure Al di là del principio di piacere. Testo tedesco a fronte, a cura e con nota di Vincenzo Cicero, ELS La Scuola, Brescia, 2018.

Jaquet C., Sévérac P., Suhamy S. (ed.), Fortitude et servitude. Lectures de l'Ethique IV de Spinoza, Kimé, Paris, 2003.

Macherey, Hegel o Spinoza, Ombrecorte, Verona, 2016.

Matheron A., Individu et communauté chez Spinoza, Editions de Minuit, Paris, 1968.

Montag, W., Bodies, Masses, Power: Spinoza and His Contemporaries, Verso, London 1999.

Nadler S., Spinoza e l’Olanda del Seicento, Einaudi, Torino, 2002.

Tatian D., Spinoza y el arte, Las cuarenta, Buenos Aires, 2022.

Vinciguerra L. La semiotica di Spinoza, ETS, Pisa, 2012.

Visentin S., La libertà necessaria. Teoria e pratica della democrazia in Spinoza, ETS, Pisa, 2001.

Zourabichvili F., Infanzia e regno. Il conservatorismo paradossale di Spinoza, tr. it di Cristina Zaltieri, Negretto, Mantova, 2017.

 

5. Commentaries (optional):

Ronbison L., Kommentar zu Spinozas Ethik, Felix Meiner, Lipsia, 1928.

Joachim H. H., A Study of the Ethics of Spinoza, Russell & Russell, New York, 1964.

Macherey P., Introduction à l’Éthique de Spinoza, 5 voll., PUF, Parigi, 1994-1998.

 

PS: Other literature references will be given during class.

Teaching methods

Lectures involve both direct and annotated reading of texts and synthetic reconstruction of problems and paths. Integrative contributions to the problems of the course are expected. Special attention will be paid to interlocution with students (discussions, short papers, etc.).

Assessment methods

The examination is oral. The assessment is unique for the two modules.


For those attending only, also starting from a text or outline prepared by the student in agreement with the lecturer, personal research to be brought to the examination in relation to the problem of the course may be arranged with the chair.


During the interview, the student must demonstrate an excellent knowledge of the readings and, with the aid of secondary literature, good ability to set up historical reconstructions, relationships and comparisons between the authors and the topics covered: only this second ability allows the student to acquire results of excellence.

 

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

 

Teaching tools

Students will be able to actively deepen their knowledge and interests in various aspects of Spinoza's thought by participating in the activities of Sive Natura. International Center for Spinozian Studies (ICSS), coordinated by members of the research center.

Office hours

See the website of Lorenzo Vinciguerra

See the website of Filippo Del Lucchese