HISTORY OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHY

This course offers a detailed survey of the history of modern philosophy, with a methodological focus on the major texts, which influenced contemporary thought , within the broadest discipline of the history of philosophy. The course will pay particular attention in reviewing this history of thought to problems in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and political philosophy. At the end of the course it will be considered how this history of thought shaped the development of subsequent philosophy.

The course aims to provide a detailed understanding of key problems and ideas which constituted the history of modern philosophy and shaped contemporary philosophy. At the end of the course the students should have a specialized understanding of the intellectual movement known as the Enlightenment, which came to a culmination in Kant's philosophy at the end of the 18th century and which continues to shape, to some extent, the world today. In critically reviewing this history of thought the course also seeks to develop important critical thinking skills.

At the end of the course the students
1) should demonstrate knowledge and understanding in early modern philosophy that builds upon and their general secondary education, and is typically at a level that includes some aspects that will be informed by knowledge of the forefront of the philosophical research;
2) could apply their knowledge and understanding in a manner that indicates a professional approach to their possible work or vocation, and have competences typically demonstrated through devising and sustaining arguments and solving philosophical problems;
3) should have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data of a historical text to inform judgements that include reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues;
4) could communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences;
5) should have developed those learning skills that are necessary for them to continue to undertake more advanced courses or further study with a high degree of autonomy.

The readings, lectures, and assignments will be designed to
• provide students detailed knowledge to some of the central figures in early modern philosophy and the questions and arguments that preoccupied them;
• introduce students to philosophical methodology in the history of philosophy;
• foster critical engagement with the ideas and arguments discussed;
• increase competencies in reading and writing philosophical texts.

Knowledge of the history of early modern philosophy is necessary. The attendance to the teaching of early modern philosophy in the BA is desirable.

The course deals with "Kant and the Enlightenment". Since 1781, Kant has developed his philosophical thought, not only by means of the famous Critique of Pure Reason, Critique of Practical Reason and the Critique of the Power of Judgement, but also through several short essay that have oriented the debate on the Enlightenment and have led to re-think concepts like reason, nature, autonomy, freedom, peace, cosmopolitism, progress and history. The course will examine passages of the following essays:

1784: "Idea for a Universal History with a Cosmopolitan Purpose"
1784: "An Answer to the Question: What Is Enlightenment?"
1786: "What does it mean to orient oneself in thinking?"
1786: Conjectural Beginning of Human History
1788: On the use of teleological principles in philosophy
1793: On the Old Saw: That May be Right in Theory But It Won't Work in Practice
1795: Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch
1797: On a Supposed Right to Tell Lies from Benevolent Motives
1798: Conflict of Faculties

I. Kant, Scritti di storia, politica e diritto, Laterza.
I. Kant, Scritti sul criticismo, Laterza.
Augusto Guerra, Introduzione a Kant.

The oral exam, ca. 30 minutes, will be on 4/5 topics discussed in class. Questions/Homeworks will be uploaded on Moodle. Critical thinking and the capacity of giving reasons will be assessed by asking question on a topic on your choice. The conceptual and linguistic understanding of the text will be tested with a series of open questions. The grade is determined by: - knowledge of the subjects (range 10 points); - ability to deepen the topic (range 5 points); - detailed and precise knowledge of the historical context (eg knowledge of dates and classification events) (range 5 points); - exposure safety (range 5 points); - ability to articulate speech autonomously (range 5 points).

Lectures and seminars with debates on the topics discussed in class.

Italian

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion

Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

oral