PHILOSOPHICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2

The aim of this course is to get the students in touch with one of the founders of the modern philosophical thought: Blaise Pascal. Following the fil rouge of his most famous work – Pensées ‒, I will try to explore some other remarkable passages of Pascal’s production. Furthermore, there will be some seminars ‒ held in parallel with the course ‒, which will guide the students to prepare a report to be held in class. Topic of these seminars will be the relationship between Philosophy and Mathematics, Philosphy and Physics, Philosophy and Theology in Pascal's thought.

Students have to recognize the different argumentative patterns contained in the Pascal's apologetic, and they have to recognize the specific role of the philosophical argumentation in the Pascalian thought and its connections with existential experience and biblical wisdom. Furthermore, students have to be able to give account of the close relationship between philosophy and scientific and theological knowledge in the thought of the seventeenth century.

There are not any particular pre-requirements. Certainly, an elementary knowledge of Franch language can make the attendance at the seminars, connected with course, easier.
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Pascal and the Mathematics of his time. Philosophy and Mathematics.
Pascal and the Physics of his time. Philosophy and Physics.
Pascal and the Philosophy of his time. Metaphysics, Ethics and Politics.
Pascal and the Theology of his time. Augustinianism and Jansenism.

- J. Mesnard, Sui 'Pensieri' di Pascal, transl. by M.V. Romeo, Morcelliana, Brescia 2011.
- A. Bausola, Introduzione a Pascal, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2005.
- A. Peratoner, Blaise Pascal. Ragione, rivelazione e fondazione dell'etica. Il percorso dell'Apologie, 2 voll. , Cafoscarina, Venezia 2002.
- A. Peratoner, Pascal, Carocci, Roma 2011.
- Ph. Sellier, Pascal e Port-Royal, transl. by M.V. Romeo, Morcelliana, Brescia 2013.
- M.V. Romeo, Il numero e l'infinito. L'itinerario pascaliano dalla scienza alla filosofia,CUECM, Catania 2004.
- M.V. Romeo, Il re di concupiscenza, Saggio su Pascal etico-politico, Vita e Pensiero, Milano 2009.
- M.F. Sciacca, Pascal, La Scuola, Brescia 1945.

The preparation will be tested through an oral test. A single exam (45 minutes about) is provided for those who need to acquire the 12 credits.The report held in class will be considered in the overall assessment.

The course will based on head-on lectures, enhancing students’ contribution. Furthermore, there will be some seminars ‒ held in parallel with the course ‒, which will guide the students to prepare an oral exposure to be held in class. Topics of the exposure will be - according to the student's choice - Philosophy and Mathematics, Philosophy and Physics, Philosophy and Theology, Anthropology and Mataphysics.

Italian

BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR THE EXAM:
- Lecture notes, edited by professor
- B. Pascal, Pensieri, Recommended edition: by A. Bausola, with French text, Bompiani, Milano 2016.
Possible differentiations of the programme will be pointed out during the lectures.

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