Ateneo - UPO

The debate on secularisation and the construction of modernity.
The course aims to outline the philosophical and historical interpretations and to analyse the debate that have emerged around the notion of 'secularisation' in the 20th century. Interpretations will be analysed in the light of a philosophical-political classic of early modern philosophy: Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan (1651)

T. Hobbes, Leviatano, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2001. Verranno inoltre assegnate dal docente letture da: M. Weber, La scienza come professione. La politica come professione, Einaudi, Torino, 2004; C. Schmitt, Le categorie del politico, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2013. H. Blumenberg, La legittimità dell’età moderna, Marietti, Torino, 1992; C. Schmitt, Teologia politica II, Giuffrè, Milano, 1992; M. Weber, L’etica protestante e lo spirito del capitalismo, Bur, Milano, 1991; E. Tortarolo, Il laicismo, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 1998.

1) Knowledge: At the first level, a general knowledge of philosophical texts and currents on secularisation is required. At the advanced level, students must have an in-depth knowledge both of the texts and critical literature.
2) Mastery of the scientific disciplinary vocabulary: At the first level students are required to know and master the scientific vocabulary of each author, and explain philosophical concepts in a clear, simple but comprehensive manner. At an advanced level, students are required to have a broad command of the scientific vocabulary, which must be used consciously and critically
3) Ability to compare, identify and make connections between authors and different philosophical theories: at the basic level, one is required to be able to compare texts and interpretations of philosophers, identifying general correlations between concepts. At a more advanced level, one is required to critically compare texts and concepts, also highlighting problematic aspects.
4) At a basic level, the ability to communicate contents clearly and comprehensively for teaching purposes is required.
4b) Ability to use philosophical tools and contents to analyse and address issues and problems related to the contemporary world: At an advanced level, the ability to use the tools and conceptual devices provided by philosophers to analyse the contemporary world is required.
5) Argumentation ability: at a basic level, it is required to know how to develop a clear, simple and linear philosophical argumentation. At an advanced level, one is required to mobilise the learned resources to develop an autonomous interpretation of texts and authors.

General knowledge of modern and contemporary philosophical thought

Lectures; seminar discussions. During the lessons, professor will present an author or a philosophical current, critically analysing the philosophical texts. Passages from philosophical texts, PPT and PDF presentations, and further supplementary materials will be made available on DIR

Oral examination
In the oral examination you are asked to develop an interpretation of authors and currents, reflecting on the theme of secularisation and analysing the importance of this concept in the context of European culture and European intellectual history.
At a first level, you are required to expound in a clear and linear manner the thought of an author or a philosophical current, using an adequate scientific-disciplinary vocabulary. At a more advanced level, it is required to highlight the nuances and problematics of the thought of an author or a philosophical current, using an articulate and complete disciplinary vocabulary.
The oral examination will be assessed on the basis of the intended learning outcomes

The aims of the course are: 1) to examine the origin and philosophical significance of the concept of secularisation in 20th-century historiography; 2) to investigate the historial and philosophical genesis of secularisation in the early modern age; 3) to consider the importance of this concept in the cultural history of early modern Europe; 4) to show the importance of this concept in the development of freedom of thought and the promotion of cultural diversity.
Programme:
(a) Max Weber's 'disenchantment of the world', and the secularisation of political theology in Carl Schmitt; (b) Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan and Spinoza's Theological-Political Treatise; (c) secularisation and modernity in Hans Blumenberg.

1) To know the meaning of the concept of secularisation, as a historical phenomenon and an interpretative category of modern thought.
2) To know the role played by secularisation in the modern world, European culture and politics.
3) To know the evolution of the concept of secularisation in the contemporary philosophy and the debate that has arisen around this idea.
3) Mastering historiographical concepts and categories, using an adequate disciplinary scientific vocabulary
4) Argue using philosophical concepts by developing one's own personal interpretation of the phenomenon examined