The course aims to focus, from a theoretical point of view, the main ethical-political implications of the topics covered by trying to encourage the acquisition of specific disciplinary language and to stimulate the ability to read, understand and comment on a philosophical text by addressing the fundamental conceptual issues

In the Elements of Natural Law and Politics, Hobbes outlines the first formulation of his philosophical system, reserving an attentive and detailed look at the analysis of the passions and the well-known conflictual dynamics of recognition and the relationship with ‘otherness’.

During the lessons, the main features of the English philosopher's anthropological reflection will be examined, highlighting its political implications in relation to the theme of the constitution of the state and its maintenance in the form of absolute monarchy, for Hobbes the most useful form  preserving the pacific coexistence of his subjects.

The following topics will be addressed in the udermentioned order:

1) Introduction to Hobbes. The characters of the Elements of Natural and Political Law in the context of the Hobbesian 'system'.

2) The faculties of man. Powers of the body and powers of the mind.

3) Sense and concepts. The "annihilatory hypothesis"

4) The connection of concepts and 'mental discourse'.

5) Uses and abuses of language

6) The passions and the "race metaphor".

7) The will

8) The knowledge of God

9) The natural condition of man. Definition of war and peace

10) The law of nature and the contract. The transfer of rights

11) The laws of nature.

12) The state of war and the body politic

13) The institution of politics and the various forms of government

14) The advantages of monarchy

15) Human laws and divine laws

16) Rebellion and its causes. The concepts of "sedition" and "seditious" opinion

17) The maintenance of the body politic

18) Salus populi suprema lex. Conclusion of the course and discussion of the exam bibliography.

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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;

- clearly communicate ideas, problems, solutions

- demonstrate autonomy of judgement in evaluating the data collected and the ability to personally rework the content learned.

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

Activities are planned in collaboration with the permanent Seminar "Spinoza and modern philosophical thought". 

Teaching

Lectures, debate and seminars.

Innovative teaching methods

- Debate

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.  Philosophical texts:

Th. Hobbes, Elements of Natural Law and Politics, tr.it. Sansoni, Florence, 2004 (or other edition, provided it is complete).

The English version of Elements of law natural and political can be consulted at the Central University Library (via Saffi 2) in The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, edited by sir William Molesworth, Scientia Verlag, Aalen, 1962, vol. I.

B. Critical literature

- F. Cerrato, Un secolo di passioni e politica. Hobbes, Descartes, Spinoza, DeriveApprodi, Rome 2012.

   One article of your choice from the following:

- D. Bostrenghi, Hobbes, Cervantes e le passioni di gloria, in C. Santinelli (ed.), Filosofia e letteratura in età moderna e contemporanea, Le Lettere, Florence, pp. 75-90.

- A. Pacchi, Hobbes and the passions, "Topoi", VI (1987), pp. 111-119.

- R. SANTI, Metus revealed. Hobbes on Fear, 'Agathos. An International Review of the Humanities and Social Sciences, II, 2 (2011), pp. 67-80.

- F. Toto, Hobbes e il riconoscimento. Antropologia, morale e politica, "Consecutio rerum", I, 1, pp. 9-31.

  Further bibliographical indications will be provided during the course

Assessment

The evaluation criteria for the examination will be the following:

-  Relevance and effectiveness of the responses with reference to the contents of the course’s program;

-  Complexity of the responses;

-  Adequacy of the technical language of the discipline.

The final evaluation will be expressed in thirtieths according to the following scale: 30 and praise = excellent; 30 = very good / excellent; 27-29 = good; 24-26 = discrete; 21-23 = sufficient; 18-21 = just enough. The exam is not passed when the essential knowledge is not acquired, the understanding and re-elaboration of the learned contents is poor and the disciplinary lexicon is not proper. 

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

Individual study and use of the material available on Moodle.

Attendance

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

Course books

In order to give non-attending students the opportunity to compensate for what has been done during the lectures with independent study, the the following study texts (referring to the same contents of the syllabus) have been indicated in order to promote their full understanding.

In addition to (A) and (B) above, non-attending students will therefore add (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.

The evaluation criteria for the examination will be the following:

-  Relevance and effectiveness of the responses with reference to the contents of the course’s program;

-  Complexity of the responses;

-  Adequacy of the technical language of the discipline.

The final evaluation will be expressed in thirtieths according to the following scale: 30 and praise = excellent; 30 = very good / excellent; 27-29 = good; 24-26 = discrete; 21-23 = sufficient; 18-21 = just enough. The exam is not passed when the essential knowledge is not acquired, the understanding and re-elaboration of the learned contents is poor and the disciplinary lexicon is not proper. 

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.