POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY II

The course aims to provide, within the range of philosophical skills specific to a three-year degree, a more in-depth view of the history of political doctrines, obtained through the study of texts and the clarification of major historiographical and interpretative issues, relating each time to an author or a theme.

Studenti e studentesse dovranno essere in grado di riconoscere la specificità di un testo e di un autore della tradizione politica, nel loro contesto concettuale proprio, di comprenderne le poste in gioco storiografiche e interpretative.

You need to have a good general knowledge and have studied history and philosophy at secondary school level.

The Question of Intellectuals in Contemporary Political Thought
The course explores the role of intellectuals in contemporary political thought. After a historical and philosophical introduction to the topic, it examines various theoretical perspectives: that of Zola, who intervened in the Dreyfus affair to affirm the values of justice and truth; of Weber, who reflected on science as a profession at a time of specialisation of knowledge; of Benda, who proposes the intellectual as an ethical guide and guardian of universal values; of Gramsci, who theorises the figure of the organic intellectual, specialist+politician; of Said, for whom the authentic intellectual is an amateur, an expatriate, called upon to speak truth to power.

Exam texts:
Émile Zola, J'Accuse...! (1898), a cura di Pierluigi Pellini, con un saggio di Daniele Giglioli, il Saggiatore, Milano 2022;
Max Weber, La scienza come professione (1917), traduzione di Pietro Rossi in Id., Il lavoro intellettuale come professione, a cura e con un'introduzione di Massimo Cacciari, Mondadori, Milano 2018;
Julien Benda, Il tradimento dei chierici (1927), traduzione di Sandra Teroni Menzella, prefazione di Davide Cadeddu, Einaudi, Torino 2012;
Antonio Gramsci, Quaderni del carcere (1929-1935), edizione critica dell'Istituto Gramsci a cura di Valentino Gerratana, Einaudi, Torino 1975 (parti selezionate);
Edward Said, Dire la verità. Gli intellettuali e il potere (The 1993 Reith lectures, 1994), traduzione di Maria Gregorio, Feltrinelli, Milano 2014.

The exam will focus on the comprehension of the texts discussed during the lessons and the preparation of the fundamentals of political philosophy, with reference to the manual indicated in the exam programme.

oral

The final grade, expressed on a scale of thirty, is based on an oral exam designed to assess content knowledge, analytical skills, and clarity of expression. A score of 30 with honors indicates excellent preparation, full command of concepts, critical thinking, and independent elaboration. Scores between 28 and 30 reflect solid and well-structured knowledge with clear and appropriate expression. A result between 25 and 27 shows good preparation with some uncertainties. Scores between 21 and 24 indicate partial understanding and difficulties in expression. Grades between 18 and 20 correspond to the minimum acceptable level of preparation. A failing grade is assigned in cases of significant gaps in knowledge or inability to coherently complete the exam.

The course will be held in the form of a traditional lesson, but we will encourage the active participation of students.