Ateneo - UPO

Analytic philosophy combines remarkable creativity with rigorous argumentative standards. In recent decades, it has transformed old lines of research, granting them greater methodological maturity. At the same time, it has raised new questions, opening previously unexplored areas of study. This course offers an overview of the innovations and challenges that characterize contemporary analytic philosophy. After an initial part devoted to its methodology, in which you will become familiar with the technique of thought experiments, the course will address questions such as: Is the passage of time just an illusion? Can we change the future? What if possible worlds, currently at the centre of an intense debate, were concrete entities, genuine alternative universes? Can I exist in more than one world?

The bibliography is the same for both attending and non-attending students:

Carrara M., De Florio C., Lando G., Morato V. 2021. Introduzione alla Metafisica Contemporanea. il Mulino.

At the basic level, the learning objective is to become familiar with some of the main topics in contemporary analytic philosophy, understanding its methodology and scientific aspirations.

At an advanced level, the learning objective is to explore on your own the contemporary debate, mastering its technical details.

No prior knowledge of the course topics is required.

Lectures focused on interactive participation.

For notices and updates, subscribe to the course's DIR page. For any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at: samuele.iaquinto@uniupo.it.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities

Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to me to define the examination modalities and teaching aspects.

Oral examination, lasting no more than 30 minutes, to assess the achievement of the Learning Objectives and the Intended Learning Outcomes. The grading will be based 30% on the understanding of the notions covered in the course, 30% on independent critical thinking, 20% on clarity of exposition, and 20% on mastery of scientific terminology. The ability to establish rigorous and original connections between the course topics is essential to achieve top marks (30 e lode).

1. Analytic Methodology: A matter of style.
1.1. Thought experiments: Testing the limits of imagination.
1.2. Paradoxes: Challenging common sense.
1.3. Facts, truth, and relativism.

2. Time
2.1. The illusion of the passage of time.
2.2. Persistence: From the third to the fourth dimension.
2.3. One, none, infinite futures: Branching time and free will.

3. Modality: The laws of possibility and necessity.
3.1. Definition of possible worlds.
3.2. David Lewis' Pluriverse.
3.3. How many mes are there? Counterparts, fusions, and overlaps.

The level of depth of each module may vary depending on the interests that emerge during the course.

At the basic level, the intended learning outcomes are:

1. Knowledge and understanding: to gain familiarity with the key notions of contemporary analytic philosophy;
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed theories;
3. Making judgements: to develop well-reasoned opinions on the course topics;
4. Communication skills: to clearly describe the main lines of the contemporary debate;
5. Learning skills: to explore on your own some basic topics of the contemporary research.

At an advanced level, the intended learning outcomes are:

1. Knowledge and understanding: to understand the technical details of contemporary analytic philosophy;
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: to assess the efficacy of technical details in addressing the questions of contemporary debate;
3. Making judgments: to use advanced technical notions to develop well-reasoned opinions on the course topics;
4. Communication skills: to clearly explain the technical details even to those unfamiliar with the course themes;
5. Learning skills: to explore on your own some technical topics of the contemporary debate.