PHILOSOPHY OF HISTORY II

The course is part of a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy. According to the goals of the degree program, its primary objective is to develop students' critical thinking skills, equipping them with suitable methodological tools to develop critical awareness concerning the past and the present of the cultural contexts in which they have to take moral responsibility and take on an active role.

The course will allow students to:
A. Gain an in-depth knowledge of basic philosophical terminology and understand the texts in which it is used;
B. Understand the discipline’s fundamental issues and paths both from a conceptual point of view and from a historical point of view, which means studying them intelligently, grasping their sense and articulation;
C. develop independent judgment for evaluating such issues;
D. be able to critically analyze the texts proposed by the teacher;
E. demonstrate good oral and written presentation skills, to be able to elaborate a philosophical argument using appropriate terms;
F. finally, because it is a moral discipline, students should be aware that this course is not aimed at mere acquisition of knowledge, but also at developing a philosophical practice, as was the case in antiquity. Therefore, the course focuses on the issue of the construction of the self in philosophy as a way of life and as a way of thinking.

The only prerequisite is to have a solid cultural foundation.

Wretchedness and Greatness of Man: Pascal between Tolstoy and Dostoevsky
In Pascal’s Pensées it is possible to discern two distinct conceptions of the human being. The first is a simpler anthropology, structured around the opposition between wretchedness and greatness, and primarily employed for apologetic purposes. The second, however, is more complex and profound, anticipating themes that would later be developed by existentialist thought. This second anthropology evokes existential concerns such as boredom, glory, injustice, imagination and distraction, the awareness of death, and so on. It considers human existence for the first time in and of itself, giving rise to an original and innovative conception of morality and history.
The course concludes by examining the different ways in which the two greatest writers of Russian literature—Dostoevsky and Tolstoy—appropriated and interpreted Pascal’s Pensées in their works.

Reference Texts

B. Pascal, "Frammenti", tr. it. di E. Balmas, Rizzoli, Milano 1994.

The student must also bring to the exam one of the selected stories by Dostoevsky and Tolstoy listed below:

F. M. Dostoevskij, Memorie del sottosuolo;
F. M. Dostoevskij, Il sogno di un uomo ridicolo;
L. N. Tolstoj, La morte di Ivan Il'ic;
L. N. Tolstoj, Cholstomer

And finally, one of the following texts:

I. Adinolfi - G. Brianese, “Il paradiso sulla terra”. La religione di Dostoevskij e Tolstoj, il melangolo, Genova 2024;
A. Collini, Epifanie di morte. Tolstoj in dialogo con Pascal, l melangolo, Genova 2024.

The evaluation will be based on a oral exam. The assessment will concern the knowledge and the clear exposition of themes and problems of the course.

oral

A. Scores in the range of 18-22 will be awarded to those who demonstrate:
• sufficient knowledge and understanding of the program.
B. Scores in the range of 23-26 will be awarded to those who demonstrate:
• a fair knowledge and understanding of the program.
C. Scores in the range of 27-30 will be awarded to those who demonstrate:
• good or excellent knowledge and understanding of the program.
D. Honors will be awarded to those who demonstrate:
• outstanding knowledge and understanding of the program.

The teaching is organized in a series of lectures.

Ca' Foscari applies 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.