The course, aimed primarily for beginners, is intended to provide a preliminary introduction to philosophical studies, with particular attention to the acquisition of the specific terminology and the analysis of some important conceptual issues. The intent is to offer to the students of the four curricula, for the first year, a versatile approach to philosophy.

Through the reading, commentary and discussion of parts of the Critique of Pure Reason, the course aims to be an introduction to the core of Kant's critical philosophy. Furthermore, by examining various interpretations of the Kantian text, it intends to train the student in the use of critical literature and show that understanding a text means giving an interpretation of it.

Specifically, the course has the following specific educational objectives:

- to acquire knowledge of the fundamental concepts of philosophy;

- to develop the ability to read and understand a classical text of philosophy;

- to develop the ability to criticize and interpret a text or theory.

The course includes some introductory lessons on metaphysics and its history from Plato to Kant. A more specific study of Kant's Critique of Pure Reason will then follow. This work questions the possibility of knowing the world (what we can actually know) and the limits of that knowledge (how far we can extend our knowledge). The thesis according to which we do not know things as they are, in themselves, but only as they appear to us, as phenomena, has been immediately discussed, rejected by many scholars, rarely ignored. Even today it is at the center of heated philosophical debates. Can metaphysical assumptions be held firm without opposing the results of the sciences, in the first place of physics? Can metaphysics be, or at least become, a science, as are mathematics and physics? In examining how Kant answers these questions, the notions of phenomenon and noumenon, of space and time, judgment and intellect, the theory of categories and schematism will be examined. We will then move on to examine the specific objects of metaphysics: human being, world and God. We will examine the paralogisms of reason, cosmological antinomies, and the proofs of the existence of God.

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

1) Excursus on the history of metaphysics from Plato to Kant.

2) Presentation of Kant and examination of some texts of the pre-critical period.

3) The program of a revolution in the way of thinking.

4) Transcendental Aesthetics: the notions of space and time.

5) Transcendental Analytics: categories, judgments, principles.

6) Transcendental Dialectics: the paralogisms of pure reason, the cosmological antinomies, the transcendental ideal and the proofs of the existence of God.

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

There are no didactic support activities.

Teaching

Lectures, seminars.

Innovative teaching methods

Debate, especially in relation to the antinomies set forth in the Transcendental Dialectic.

Attendance

The course requires a regular attendance (at least 2/3 of the lessons). Alternatively, please make use of the information for not attending students.

Course books

A) Texts:

I. Kant, Critica della ragion pura. Any edition: Bompiani, Laterza, UTET, Morcelliana.

Some short texts from the pre-critical period will be available on the Moodle platform.

B) Literature:

General introductions to Kant:

A. Guerra, Introduzione a Kant, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2010.

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

R. Pettoello, Kant, Morcelliana, Brescia 2020.

On the Critique of Pure Reason:

F. Barone, Logica formale e logica trascendentale, vol. 1: Da Leibniz a Kant, Unicopli, Milano 2005.

S. Marcucci, Guida alla lettura della «Critica della ragion pura» di Kant, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2010.

R. Ciafardone, La Critica della ragion pura di Kant. Introduzione alla lettura, Carocci.

P. Di Vona, L'ontologia dimenticata. Dall'ontologia spagnola alla "Critica della ragion pura", La Città del Sole, Napoli 2008.

Critical Studies:

C. Lacorte. Kant. Ancora un episodio dell’alleanza di religione e filosofia, Urbino, Argalìa 1969.

M. Heidegger, Interpretazione fenomenologica della "Critica della ragion pura” di Kant, Mursia, Milano 2002.

P.F. Strawson, Saggio sulla Critica della ragion pura, Laterza, Roma-Bari 1985.

C) Recommended readings:

E. Berti (a cura di), Storia della metafisica, Carocci, Roma 2019, pp. 25-250.

G. Agamben, Filosofia prima filosofia ultima. Il sapere dell’Occidente tra metafisica e scienze, Einaudi, Torino 2023.

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

Assessment

An oral examination on Kant's Critique of Pure Reason (indicated at point A) and on two texts chosen among others indicated at points (B) and (C).

Students' knowledge of the philosophical theories dealt with during the course will be subject to an evaluation.

Particular attention is given to the expository capacity with appropriate terminology of philosophical theories as well as to the ability to understand and explain passages from the texts that have been studied.

Students will be expected to develop a critical approach with regard to the theories studied. In evaluating students, particular attention will be given to their ability to reformulate in their own terms the ideas encountered in coursework and to their ability to make comparisons between the various thinkers they have studied.

- Criteria for an evaluation of excellence: a clear exposition with an appropriate terminology of the theories studied; a thorough knowledge of the texts read and commented on during the course; the ability to connect the various theories; the possession of good critical and in-depth skills.

- Criteria for a discrete evaluation: a clear, albeit mnemonic, exposition of the theories studied; a good knowledge of the texts read and commented on during the course; a relative ability to connect the various theories; the possession of a relative critical capacity.

- Criteria for a sufficient evaluation: a minimal knowledge of the theories studied, even in the presence of some training gaps; a minimum knowledge of the texts read and commented on during the course; the use of inappropriate language.

- Criteria for a negative evaluation: poor knowledge of the theories studied; evident training gaps; lack of knowledge of the texts read and commented on during the course; the use of an inappropriate language.

Two intermediate tests, which will take place in the periods 8-13 April 2024 and 27-31 May 2024. The intermediate tests will take place in written form, with open-ended questions, each on the part of the program carried out in the previous six weeks. The student who opts for the intermediate tests, which must be carried out both, is not required to take the oral exam, unless they request it themself.

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:

I. Kant, Critica della ragion pura. Any edition: Bompiani, Laterza, UTET, Morcelliana.

Some short texts from the pre-critical period will be available on the Moodle platform.

B) Literature:

General introductions to Kant:

A. Guerra, Introduzione a Kant, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2010.

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

R. Pettoello, Kant, Morcelliana, Brescia 2020.

On the Critique of Pure Reason:

F. Barone, Logica formale e logica trascendentale, vol. 1: Da Leibniz a Kant, Unicopli, Milano 2005.

S. Marcucci, Guida alla lettura della «Critica della ragion pura» di Kant, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2010.

R. Ciafardone, La Critica della ragion pura di Kant. Introduzione alla lettura, Carocci.

P. Di Vona, L'ontologia dimenticata. Dall'ontologia spagnola alla "Critica della ragion pura", La Città del Sole, Napoli 2008.

Critical Studies:

C. Lacorte. Kant. Ancora un episodio dell’alleanza di religione e filosofia, Urbino, Argalìa 1969.

M. Heidegger, Interpretazione fenomenologica della "Critica della ragion pura” di Kant, Mursia, Milano 2002.

P.F. Strawson, Saggio sulla Critica della ragion pura, Laterza, Roma-Bari 1985.

C) Recommended readings:

E. Berti (a cura di), Storia della metafisica, Carocci, Roma 2019, pp. 25-250.

G. Agamben, Filosofia prima filosofia ultima. Il sapere dell’Occidente tra metafisica e scienze, Einaudi, Torino 2023.

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

Assessment

An oral examination on Kant's Critique of Pure Reason (indicated at point A) and on two texts chosen among others indicated at points (B) and (C).

Students' knowledge of the philosophical theories dealt with during the course will be subject to an evaluation.

Particular attention is given to the expository capacity with appropriate terminology of philosophical theories as well as to the ability to understand and explain passages from the texts that have been studied.

Students will be expected to develop a critical approach with regard to the theories studied. In evaluating students, particular attention will be given to their ability to reformulate in their own terms the ideas encountered in coursework and to their ability to make comparisons between the various thinkers they have studied.

- Criteria for an evaluation of excellence: a clear exposition with an appropriate terminology of the theories studied; a thorough knowledge of the texts; the ability to connect the various theories; the possession of good critical and in-depth skills.

- Criteria for a discrete evaluation: a clear, albeit mnemonic, exposition of the theories studied; a good knowledge of the texts; a relative ability to connect the various theories; the possession of a relative critical capacity.

- Criteria for a sufficient evaluation: a minimal knowledge of the theories studied, even in the presence of some training gaps; a minimum knowledge of the texts; the use of inappropriate language.

- Criteria for a negative evaluation: poor knowledge of the theories studied; evident training gaps; lack of knowledge of the texts; the use of an inappropriate language.

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.