Philosophy

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale program. The course is intended for advanced level students only. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. The course focuses on some questions and debates that are central to the contemporary philosophy of social sciences. After a short introduction to the discipline, in which a comparison between the social sciences and the natural sciences is made, the following topics are covered: 1) the naturalism/anti-naturalism debate within the philosophy of social sciences; 2) the role of idealized models in social sciences; 3) the nature of explanation in the social sciences; 4) the value-free/laden character of social studies; 5) the objectivity question within the social sciences; and 6) the possibility of having social laws. During the course these topics are explored at length, using case-studies from different social science fields and tracing connections with those debates that address similar topics within the general philosophy of science.

In this course, students look at the extent to which our familiar norms and ways of interacting with each other transfer to our online lives, and how we should respond when these familiar ideas fail to apply to our online life. 

This course provides you with an introduction to aesthetics and the philosophy of art. While aesthetics is occasionally thought as synonymous with the philosophy of art, it examines questions raised by experiences that are appreciated for their own sake in a much wider variety of contexts, including natural environments, and watching sport. The course focuses on two main themes. First, the nature and justifiability of aesthetic judgements. Questions addressed may include: How should we reconcile the commonly held thought that taste is subjective with the equally commonly held idea that some artworks are nonetheless better than others? Is there a right or wrong way to experience the aesthetic qualities of a sunset or a starfish? The second theme is the contemporary debates in the philosophy of art. Questions addressed may include the nature and value of art (can just anything count as art if you put it in a gallery?), the aesthetic value of forgeries, what we can learn about life from art, and why we value painful works such as tragedies.

This course explores the application of ethical theories to perennially contentious and troubling real-world questions that everyone faces. By introducing students to the theories and concepts of moral analysis, in an approachable way, they better understand the dilemmas that confront them. Students examine what Thomas Aquinas and David Hume wrote about life and death, framing our modern understanding of subjects such as just war and suicide, and how that influenced 20th century thinkers like Judith Jarvis Thomson on abortion and James Rachels on euthanasia. Many moral philosophers today consider population ethics to be the world’s most pressing set of problems, asking, what obligations do I have now towards future generations? Students explore how philosophers such as Derek Parfit and William MacAskill have some surprising answers, which may transform your thinking about issues such as environmental conservation, artificial intelligence, biosecurity, and existential risk.

This course considers the ethical duties that come with citizenship and political participation. It encourages students to critically assess their own beliefs about the role of the state in their lives. During this process, students will be expected to practice constructively exchanging ideas with their peers while remaining tolerant of those with differing perspectives.

Based on the analysis of philosophical texts, artists' writings, and works of art, this course studies the first major themes of aesthetics and philosophy of art (imitation, judgment). The course provides the basics of a general culture in the aesthetic field and promotes mastery of the techniques of dissertation and commentary from a methodological point of view.
 

This course is an introduction to the works and philosophy of Soren Kierkegaard, the internationally renowned Danish philosopher, theologian, and writer. Considered as the father of existentialism, Kierkegaard's works revolve around basic human experiences such as aesthetic lust, despair, anxiety, morality, passion, knowledge, absurdity, and faith. In particular, Kierkegaard claimed to present a complete summary of the possible ways in which we can live our lives or exist. The course also analyzes and criticizes these ways thoroughly in order to judge to what extent they may give us a true point of orientation. This course examines his witty, humorous, and deeply earnest exploration of the philosophical psychology of self-identity. It remains especially attentive to how Kierkegaard considers human relationships to be essential to understanding oneself and one’s obligations to other human beings. Lectures focus on a discussion of excerpts from Kierkegaard's writings. The course includes a City Walk through old Copenhagen and a guest lecture that explores Kierkegaard's view of love. The course does not presuppose specialized knowledge and is eligible to students of all majors.

This course requires reading several short texts by Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Immanuel Kant, which introduce us to ideas about philosophy and what constitutes philosophical inquiry. As different as these two philosophers are, Rousseau had a tremendous impact on Kant. It is helpful to read Kant in the light of Rousseau. Each thinker will introduce us to some basic philosophical problem and we will think for ourselves about these problems.

This course aims to introduce the subject of philosophy but also the activity of philosophizing. This means that there will be much discussion in class and a fair amount of writing outside of class. The ideal would be to form a "community of inquirers." The depth of realizing this ideal will be up to each student.
 

This course explores the nature of law, the origin and history of lawmaking, and the relationship between law and the common good. It analyzes texts from important philosophers including Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, and more. 

Neoplatonism is the last great ancient Greek philosophical tradition, founded in the 3rd century by Plotinus, who is arguably the most important ancient Greek thinker after Plato and Aristotle. Neoplatonism had a tremendous historical influence on subsequent philosophy, in both the European and Islamic worlds. Above all, however, the Neoplatonists are distinctive for their own philosophical interest and value, developing fascinating positions on issues such as the structure of reality, the soul and its happiness, the nature of evil, and the meaning of freedom. The Neoplatonic tradition also devoted considerable attention to the interpretation and harmonization of Plato and Aristotle. Anyone interested in the work of these two thinkers is likely to find Neoplatonism of interest too.