The objective of the course is to place the author under analysis in his historical context and to critically analyse the principal theoretical contents of his philosophical thought, including it into the appropriate philosophical debate and providing the most significant interpretations. The objective will be achieved by directly reading a masterpiece of modern thought and by paying attention to the commentaries of such text.

Elementi di legge naturale e politica allows, for the specific characteristics of the text (i.e. the fact that it is the first formulation of an hobbesian “system” of knowledge), the possibility to focus on the fundamental theoretical aspects of Hobbes’ reflection on human beings knowledge attitudes, on the relationship between senses, imagination and the concept, on the nature of language and of passions, on the difference between science and experience. Acknowledging the specific characters of ‘negative anthropology’ presented in the first part of the text, during the lectures, we will analyse the “state of nature” as a condition for generalized war, on which Hobbes bases his reflection on inter-human relationships and consequently on the formation of political structures that, for Hobbes, corresponds to absolute monarchy (as it could be seen in De Cive and in The Leviathan).

Knowledge and understanding:The graduates must be able to: comprehend and illustrate elementary and intermediate philosophical material; deal with classical problems from history and theory of philosophy, ethics and politics; use bibliographical and informational instruments that are relevant to the subject; know the problems of the subject with critical regard.  

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

It is expected an active collaboration with both the permanent seminar "Spinoza e il pensiero filosofico moderno" and the course in History of Philosophy (professor Cristina Santinelli). The reference for this part of the course is R. Santi, C. Ciscato, A. Affinito, L’alba del dio mortale. IL problema della secolarizzazione nel pensiero politico del XVII secolo, CEDAM, Padova 2016.

Teaching

Lectures and seminars (see above)

Attendance

It is required a regular attendance to the course (equal to AT LEAST 2/3 of the lectures). If the student does not attend to the course, he must refer, for the course material, to the "NO attendance" section.  

Course books

A.   

Th. Hobbes, Elementi di legge naturale e politica, tr.it. Sansoni, Firenze, 2004 (oppure altra edizione, purché integrale)

B.    One of the following texts:

·  N. Bobbio, Thomas Hobbes, Einaudi,Torino 2004 (19891).

·  F. Cerrato, Un secolo di passioni e politica. Hobbes, Descartes, Spinoza, DeriveApprodi, Roma 2012.

In order to have a general knowledge of the intellectual environment of the XVII and XVIII centuries (which will be evaluated during the exam), a good high school text will be sufficient. In order to achieve a deeper knowledge, we reference to:

M. Mori, Storia della filosofia moderna, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2005 (especially ch. 4-16).

 

 Further references will be provided during the course.   

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Assessment

Oral exam on all the material at point (A), (B).  Optional essay which has to be agreed upon with the lecturer in advance.  

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Attendance

It is required that the student makes contact with the lecturer AT LEAST two months in advance.  

Course books

To the above mentioned texts (A, B),  non-participating students will add the following (C): 
 

A. Pacchi, Introduzione a Hobbes, Laterza, Roma-Bari 1971. 

Assessment

Oral exam on all the material at point (A), (B) and (C). Optional essay which has to be agreed upon with the lecturer in advance.  

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

The lecturer is at disposal for every student during the indicated office hours. You can make contact with the lecturer for every clarification, information and further bibliographical indications concerning the course, especially for non-participating students.