PHILOSOPHY OF LITERATURE

The course forms part of the related or complementary subjects within the degree programmes in Philosophy, Philosophy and History, Philosophy and the Humanities, and Science of Literary Text and Communication, contributing to the programmes’ overall educational objective of equipping graduates with sound critical and methodological skills.

Specifically, the course aims to provide an understanding of the main theoretical issues raised by the relationship between philosophy and literature. Among the key areas, the relationship between fiction and imagination, literature and experience, and the comparison between literary and philosophical language are analysed through an in-depth study of works situated in the historical period in which the modern novel emerged and established itself.

The analysis of texts will enable students to acquire the skills necessary to understand how the choice of the philosophical novel or short story constitutes an organising element of thought and a particular mode of philosophical experience and practice.

The students, on successful completion of this module, will be able to:

1. Understand the interdependent relationship between narrative form and philosophical content.
2. Understand the concepts of ‘narrative philosophy’ and the ontological status of ‘conceptual characters’.
3. Recognise and deconstruct the rhetorical strategies of eighteenth-century philosophical fiction.
4. Interpret the role of literary characters in the creation of ‘possible lives’ and thought experiments.
5. Develop an independent critical and comparative approach to the eighteenth-century classics covered in the syllabus.
6. Master the specific terminology that emerged from 18th-century philosophical debate.
7. Effectively argue their own interpretations during classroom discussions.
8. Independently apply the critical tools acquired for future textual, aesthetic and philosophical analysis.

A basic knowledge of the history of modern philosophy and adequate analytical and reading comprehension skills are required; these are normally acquired through the core modules of the degree programme.
There are no compulsory prerequisites.

Course title:
‘Reading, Experience, Thought: The Conte Philosophique and the Philosophical Novel in the 18th Century’

An introduction to the theoretical issues raised by the conte philosophique and the philosophical novel: the definition of the novel, and the challenges posed by the interplay of fiction, narrative and argumentation.
In-depth examination of some of the most significant philosophical short stories and novels of the 18th century, exploring the works of Voltaire, Diderot, Rousseau and Wollstonecraft.

The course is divided into two main thematic areas:

1) Theory and definitions: The distinction between the novel (novel/romance) and the philosophical short story; the concept of ‘narrative philosophy’ and the status of characters.

2) The philosophical short story and novel in the 18th century, through an in-depth examination of:

- The birth of the modern novel (Defoe, Richardson).
- Voltaire: The use of irony and satire for demystification; deism and empiricist scepticism in ‘Micromegas’, ‘Zadig’ and ‘Candide’.
- Diderot: Vitalistic materialism and experimentation with the anti-novel; the master-servant dialectic in ‘Jacques the Fatalist’; the ‘disintegrated conscience’ in ‘Rameau’s Nephew’.
- Rousseau: Philosophy of the passions and moral philosophy in ‘Julie, or the New Heloise’.
- Wollstonecraft: Narrative and philosophy of women’s emancipation in he ‘Wrongs of Woman, or Maria’.

Appendix
This section offers an in-depth examination of Milan Kundera’s 20th-century reinterpretations and rewritings (‘Jacques and His Master. An Homage to Diderot in Three Acts’) and Michel Tournier’s subversion of Defoe’s utopia in ‘Friday, or, The Other Island’, in order to explore the meaning of the novel in the modern age and the value of doubt in the face of all dogmatism.

Compulsory reading

- D. Diderot, «Questo non è un racconto», in Id., «Opere filosofiche, romanzi e racconti», Bompiani, Milano 2019.
- Voltaire, «Candido, Zadig, Micromega», Garzanti, Milano 2004.

- R. Ariano, V. Sperotto (a cura di), «Filosofia e generi letterari nel XVIII secolo», volume monografico del «Giornale Critico di Storia delle Idee», n.2, 2021 (https://www.giornalecritico.it/n-2-2021-filosofia-generi ). (una selezione)

- M. Mazzocut-Mis, «Racconto/Romanzo», in P. D’Angelo (a cura di), «Forme letterarie della filosofia», Carocci, Roma 2012, pp. 207-242.
- G. Mazzoni, «Teoria del romanzo», Il Mulino, Bologna 2011. (una selezione)
- A. Tagliapietra, «Gli altri che io sono. Per una filosofia del personaggio», in «Giornale Critico di Storia delle Idee», n. 9, 2013, pp. 7-18.
- A. Tagliapietra, « Fingersi è conoscersi. L’ontologia del personaggio e quello stato o qualità del sé chiamato ‘sincerità’», in «Between», vol. 9, n. 18 (Dec. 2019). (https://doi.org/10.13125/2039-6597/3889 )

It is also compulsory to study one work of your choice from the following:

- D. Diderot, «Jacques il fatalista e il suo padrone», in Id., «Opere filosofiche, romanzi e racconti», Bompiani, Milano 2019.
- D. Diderot, «Il Nipote di Rameau», in Id., «Opere filosofiche, romanzi e racconti», Bompiani, Milano 2019.
- J.J. Rousseau, «Giulia o la Nuova Eloisa», BUR, Milano 2021. (una selezione)
- M. Wollstonecraft, «L’oppressione della donna», Jouvence, Milano 2024.

Optional texts or supplementary readings:

- C. Dumoulié, «Littérature et philosophie. Le Gai savoir de la littérature», tr. it. di R. Boccali, «Letteratura e filosofia», Armando, Roma 2009. (una selezione)
- M. Kundera, «L’art du roman», Gallimard, Paris 1995 tr. it. di E. Marchi e A. Ravano, «L’arte del romanzo», Adelphi, Milano 2008.


Further materials and reading lists will be provided by the lecturer on the Moodle platform.

The assessment consists of an oral examination marked out of 30.

For attending students, 80% of the final mark will be based on the oral examination, which is designed to assess a solid understanding of the texts on the syllabus, the ability to conduct critical analysis independently, and a rigorous command of philosophical terminology. The remaining 20% of the mark will be based on active participation in class, rewarding their ability to contribute to the discussion and to take part in that ‘community of readers’ typical of the 18th century, which transforms reading into a social and philosophical experience.

For students who are unable to ensure regular attendance, the assessment will be based entirely on the oral examination (100% of the final mark). They are required to independently study the compulsory texts, the optional texts and any supplementary readings indicated on the Moodle platform, in order to compensate for their absence from classroom discussions.

oral

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

The final mark will be awarded according to the following scale:

• 28–30 and 30 cum laude: Excellent knowledge of the texts on the syllabus; a strong and independent ability to carry out critical and comparative analysis of the relationship between philosophy and literature; complete mastery of philosophical and literary terminology.
• 24–27: Good knowledge of the authors and texts; adequate ability to critically analyse content; clear presentation and appropriate use of specialist vocabulary.
• 18–23: Sufficient but at times superficial or purely rote knowledge of the texts; limited independence in critical analysis; hesitant delivery and terminology not always correct.
• Fail (<18): Incomplete knowledge of the required texts; inability to navigate the main concepts of the course; inadequate vocabulary.

The course consists of lectures and interactive sessions involving guided reading in the classroom. This approach is closely aligned with the course objectives: the lectures provide the basic historical, philosophical and literary context, whilst the guided discussion of the texts aims to develop the independent judgement and critical analytical skills required for the examination.
Lectures may be supplemented by thematic seminars or presentations by external scholars.
All supporting teaching materials (slides, supplementary readings, bibliographical references) will be made available on Moodle on a regular basis.

For problems with disabilities or specific learning disorders, students may contact the Disability and DSA office, disabilita@unive.it, and the lecturer cecilia.rofena@unive.it

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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