PHILOSOPHICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

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.

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.

There are not any particular pre-requirements. Certainly, an elementary knowledge of French language can make the attendance at the seminars, connected with course, easier.

Title: PASCAL'S PENSEES: Philosophy, Mathematics, Physics and Theology.
1. Bio-bibliography information about Blaise Pascal.
2. Heart and Reason.
3. The infinite as mathematical, ontological and metaphysical figure.
4. "Pari" and "libertinage".
5. Experimental Knowledge and Faith.
6. "Esprit de géometrie" and "esprit de finesse".

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR THE EXAM:
- Lecture notes, edited by professor.
- B.Pascal, Pensieri,. Recommended edition: by A. Bausola, with French text, Bompiani, Milano 2000.
Possible differentiations of the programme will be pointed out during the lectures.

2. OTHER TEXTS:
- 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.

For those who need to take the 6-credits exam, the preparation will be tested through an oral test (about 30 minutes).

The course will based on head-on lectures, enhancing students’ contribution.

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.

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