The course, aimed primarily for beginners, is intended to provide an introduction to philosophical studies, with particular attention to the acquisition of the specific terminology and the analysis of some important conceptual issues. The aim is to allow students of the four curricula, for the first year, to benefit from a versatile approach to philosophy, one that will prove useful for the chosen field of study. Specifically, the course intends to address one of the central themes of philosophy and contemporary debate, the relationship between reason and religion, and the related problem of evil. The relationship between philosophy and religion will be examined first through Lessing’s essay The education of mankind, and then through Kant’s writings, primarily The religion within the boundaries of mere reason, in which the notion of moral autonomy is taught. The controversial relationship between historical and institutional forms of religion and moral law, the notions of freedom, imputability, morality, legality, and ethical community will also be examined. Particular attention will be given to the chapter on radical evil. The reflection on this topic will be enriched by contemporary reflections on physical evil (such as earthquakes) and moral evil (such as mass extermination).

The course will address the following topics in the following order:

The relationship between philosophy and religion in Lessing's The education of mankind.

The problem of radical evil in Kant’s The religion within the boundaries of mere reason.

Moral autonomy, freedom, imputability, morality, legality in Kant.

Contemporary reflections on evil (S. Neiman).

Prerequisites are not required.

Knowledge and understanding
The student will be able to understand and explain the philosophical texts examined, to master the philosophical terminology, and to discuss critically the topics which have been dealt in the class.

Making judgments
The student will demonstrate independent judgment in the evaluation of the philosophical theories studied. In the mode of assessment of learning, a particular attention will be given to his/her ability to rework personal knowledge.

Learning skills
The student will be able to acquire new knowledge and skills, in order to access to additional training levels.

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

Seminars.

Teaching

Lectures, seminars.

Attendance

The course requires a regular attendance. Alternatively, please make use of the information for not attending students.

Course books

A) Texts:

G. E. Lessing, L’educazione del genere umano, in La religione dell’umanità, Laterza, Roma/Bari, pp. 129-154; oppure Sellerio, Palermo 1997.

I. Kant, La religione entro i limiti della sola ragione, Laterza, Roma-Bari 1980, 2004; oppure Bompiani, Milano 2012.

S. Neiman, In cielo come in terra. Storia filosofica del male, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2002.

B) Literature:

I. Mancini, Kant e la teologia, Cittadella, Assisi 1992.

G. Riconda, Bene/male, il Mulino, Bologna 2011.

C) Recommended readings:

O. Höffe, Immanuel Kant, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2010.

Other texts of secondary literature will be given during the course.

Assessment

An oral examination on the texts indicated at point A and on one text chosen among others set out at points (B) and (C).

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.

Teaching

Not attending students can contact the teacher in the office hours to ask for explanations about the content of the tests for the exam.

Attendance

Please contact the teacher, preferably personally, at least three months in advance of the scheduled date of the exam.

Course books

A) Texts:

G. E. Lessing, L’educazione del genere umano, in La religione dell’umanità, Laterza, Roma/Bari, pp. 129-154; oppure Sellerio, Palermo 1997.

I. Kant, La religione entro i limiti della sola ragione, Laterza, Roma-Bari 1980, 2004; oppure Bompiani, Milano 2012.

S. Neiman, In cielo come in terra. Storia filosofica del male, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2002.

B) Literature:

I. Mancini, Kant e la teologia, Cittadella, Assisi 1992.

G. Riconda, Bene/male, il Mulino, Bologna 2011.

C) Recommended readings:

O. Höffe, Immanuel Kant, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2010.

Assessment

An oral examination on the texts indicated at point A and on two texts chosen among others set out at points (B) and (C).

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 teacher is available for the students in the appropriate office hours, for explanations and additional bibliographic information on the exam program, particularly in the case of not attending students.