HISTORICAL EPISTEMOLOGY

A general introduction to historical epistemology and reading of a classic.

Can we understand science in historical terms? Can we address the history of science in philosophical terms? This is the dual task of historical epistemology. This class aims to introduce to the students the main themes and the most significant currents of historical epistemology.

Husserl’s Crisis of the European Sciences and the Transcendental Phenomenology will constitute the basis for a reflection on the philosophical-cultural scope of the history of science and, more specifically, on the possibility that abstract scientific universality emerges from the historical terrain.

• To introduce students to the main currents and problems of historical epistemology, seen as the last great attempt to organically connect history of science and philosophy of science.
• To address crucial themes of historical epistemology, namely the philosophical and cultural significance of the history of scientific thought and the relationship between abstract universality and the historicity of science.
• To become acquainted with key thinkers and sources of historical and political epistemology.
• To become capable of analyzing and discussing philosophical sources and critically interpret them.

• Enthusiasm and readiness to engage with challenging philosophical readings.
• A fair knowledge of English, for certain didactic materials as well as in case of meeting with foreign scholars in some of the classes.

This class is divided into two parts:
1. a general introduction (5 meetings, with guests) to the main themes and authors of historical epistemology (a historical-theoretical approach to science that brings together its history of science and the philosophy of science)
2. a reflection on the connection of science, education and ideology on the basis of two recent classics of philosophy of science: Husserl’s Crisis of the European Sciences and the Transcendental Phenomenology

Testi obbligatori di riferimento

• Dispense (in moodle)
• Un’edizione italiana di Husserl, La crisi delle scienze europee e la fenomenologia trascendentale.

Testi facoltativi di approfondimento (obbligatori per i non frequentanti): da definirsi.

Active participation to seminar activities within the course (assisted by PhD students);
Oral examination.

Frontal didactics.
Possible experts' presentations on specific topics.
Seminarial activities on primary sources (assisted by PhD students)

Italian

oral