Ateneo - UPO

The debate on secularisation and the construction of modernity.
The course aims to outline the philosophical and historical interpretations and the debate
emerged around the notion of 'secularisation' in the
20th century. The interpretations will be analysed in the light of seventeenth-century political philosophical thought, focusing on two classics: Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan (1651) and Baruch Spinoza's Tractatus Theologico-politicus (1670)

T. Hobbes, Leviatano, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2001 (oppure ed. BUR, Milano 2016); G. Baldin, Thomas Hobbes: Filosofia e politica nell'Europa del Seicento, Carocci, Roma, 2025. 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.

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