HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY - I

The teaching belongs to the basic training activities of the degree course in philosophy, within the framework of the teachings of the history of philosophy area. The educational objective of the course is to provide knowledge related to the general development of the history of philosophy. The course aims to introduce the historical and cultural development of the main themes and problems that establish philosophical reflection, studying the figures, personalities, texts, literary genres and styles of thought that contribute to the formation of the Western philosophical "canon", with particular attention to the modern and contemporary tract. It also aims to deepen the methodological, hermeneutical and critical elements that are indispensable for the correct understanding of a philosophical text.

1. To know the history of philosophy in its fundamental themes, problems and figures;
2. Recognise the essential characteristics of the systems of thought and philosophical works dealt with;
3. Acquire the correct terminology in expressing the concepts and problems expounded by the authors studied;
4. Know how to connect philosophical thought with the more general themes of the epochs of cultural history.

Knowledge of the general outlines of the history of philosophy acquired through high school education. Students who do not have this knowledge make up for it by reading a good high school textbook.

1. Introduction to the history of philosophy. The critical gratuitousness of the philosophical gesture. The textuality of thought. The concept of the 'canon'. Differences, epochs and periodisations
2. The Mirror Metaphor: Outlines for a Philosophical History of the Image (from myth to classical Greek philosophy)

1. Introduction to the 'history of philosophy'
A. Tagliapietra, Il dono del filosofo. Sul gesto originario della filosofia, Einaudi, Torino 2009;
A. Tagliapietra, Il codino di Münchhausen. Sul rapporto della filosofia con la storia, in “Giornale Critico di Storia delle Idee” (2020), n. 2, pp. 43-68;
H. Blumenberg, Pensosità in “aut-aut”, n. 332, 2006, pp. 3-8.
R. Rorty, La storiografia filosofica: quattro generi, in G. Vattimo (a c. di), Filosofia ’87, Laterza, Roma 1988, pp. 81-114;
G.W.F. Hegel, Introduzione alla filosofia moderna, in id., Lezioni di storia della filosofia, La Nuova Italia, Firenze 1981, vol. III, t. 2, pp. 1-14.

2.1. Classroom readings, in seminar form, of passages from texts, from the mythographers and the Pre-Socratics to the Schools of Hellenistic philosophy, having the image as their theme.

2.2. Reference Bibliography:
A. Tagliapietra, La metafora dello specchio. Lineamenti per una storia simbolica dell'immagine, Donzelli, Roma 2023, pp. 5-238.

For those wishing to supplement their prerequisite preparation, we recommend reading E. Berti - F. Volpi, Storia della filosofia dall'antichità a oggi, compact edition in 2 tomes, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2023 or N. Abbagnano - G. Fornero, L'avventura del pensiero, Sanoma, Milano-Torino 2025, in 6 tomes.

The exam will consist of an oral interview to be taken at the end of the two modules of the course (the division is not foreseen for students who have planned the 12 credits course). The interview will consist of two questions. (1) The first will include the oral discussion of a short essay of 10 thousand characters including spaces on part 1 of the program, delivered at the end of the teaching break between the first and second module of the course and declined by topics chosen by the student among the points covered in class and contained in "Il dono del filosofo" and in the other texts made available on Moodle (Introduction to the History of Philosophy; The Critical Gratitude of the Philosophical Gesture; The Textuality of Thought; The Concept of "Canon"; Differences, Epochs and Periodizations, etc.). (2) A second question, instead, will concern in particular the monographic topic of the course, namely "the metaphor of the mirror. Outlines for a philosophical history of the image"(cf. the volume "La metafora dello specchio" and the authors' passages analyzed and commented in class). In the essay as in the interview, students will have to demonstrate knowledge of the texts discussed in class and of the general framework of the topic presented during the course (lecture notes, presentations, slides and passages made available in the appropriate university documents section). Relevant indicators in the evaluation of the interview: 1. Ability to deal with the required topics in a transversal and critical manner; 2. Correctness, clarity, synthesis and fluidity of exposition; 3. Mastery of the subject; 4. Use of appropriate philosophical terminology. The student's active participation during the lessons contributes to the final evaluation.
Students who instead only had History of Philosophy I (6 credits) in their study plan will still have to write the essay by the weekend of the end of the lessons of the planned period, in order to allow the reading of the thesis. For them too, the interview will consist of (1) an oral discussion of the short essay of 10,000 characters including spaces on part 1, indicated in the program ((Introduction to the history of philosophy. The critical gratuitousness of the philosophical gesture ("Il dono del filosofo"). The textuality of thought. The concept of "canon". Differences, epochs and periodizations). (2) The second question of the interview will be on the monographic topic indicated in the course program, namely "the metaphor of the mirror. Outlines for a philosophical history of the image" (cf. the volume "La metafora dello specchio" cit., pp. pp. 5-208) which acts as a reference for the classroom readings, in seminar form, of the selected texts, from the Pre-Socratics to the philosophies of Hellenism, having the image as their theme and of the presentations and other teaching materials which will serve as a possible integration of what was said in class.

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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 grade is determined by the combination of the following factors, in ascending order (1-sufficient; 2-fair; 3-good; 4-very good; 5-excellent):
1. knowledge of the required topics (from 1 to 10 points);
2. ability to delve into the topic in depth (from 1 to 5 points);
3. detailed and precise knowledge of the historical context (dates and events of context) (from 1 to 5 points);
4. confidence in exposition and lexical mastery (from 1 to 5 points);
5. ability to independently articulate the speech (from 1 to 5 points);
6. originality in the treatment of the topic (assignment of honors).

The teaching consists of lectures, in which the main texts of the authors studied will be read and commented upon, with the possible use of digital media and tools, viewing and commenting on videos, images, diagrams and conceptual schemes. Participation of students in the lessons (active attendance) is particularly appreciated.

Students, including non-attending students, are advised that it is not possible to agree with the lecturer on a different examination programme. Any changes or amendments will be promptly reported exclusively on this website. Ca’ Foscari applies Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) for support and accommodation services available to students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities. Students with a motor, visual, hearing or other disability (Law 17/1999) or a specific learning disability (Law 170/2010) are invited to request support (assistance in the classroom, technological aids for taking exams or individualized exams, accessible material, note recovery, specialized tutoring to support study, interpreters or other) and contact the Disability and DSA office disabili@unive.it.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development