Ateneo - UPO

Outlines of history of philosophy and science in early modern age.

L. Geymonat (a cura di), Storia del pensiero filosofico e scientifico (Milano, Garzanti, ed. economica), vol. II, cap. I (pp. 7-26); cap. III (pp. 42-50); cap. VI, §§ 1-3 (pp. 76-85); cap. IX (pp. 132-139); sez. IV, cap. VIII (pp. 324-343); cap. XV (pp. 508-527). P. Rossi (a cura di), Storia della scienza moderna e contemporanea, Dalla rivoluzione scientifica all’età dei Lumi, Milano, Tea, 2000, vol. I, pp. 163-227; 375-400. Pages from texts of 'Scuola medica galileiana' (provided by the teacher). David Hume, Trattato sulla natura umana, a cura di E. Lecaldano. Bari-Roma, Laterza, 1982 (reprinted many times). David Hume, The Early Memoranda (text provided by the teacher).

Basic knowledge of the birth and development of modern philosophy and science (16th-18th centuries). Concerning the history of philosophy, the course aims to reconstruct the genesis of Hume's thought through from his early writings to the Treatise of Human Nature (1739-40) showing that empiricism is the point of arrival, and not the point of departure, of Hume's thought.

At a basic level, the course aims to develop:
knowledge and understanding of the main topics, concepts, authors, and problems addressed in the course;
the ability to understand and analyse the texts and philosophical problems included in the programme;
the ability to present the contents clearly, using appropriate disciplinary terminology.

At an advanced level, the course aims to develop:
in-depth and structured knowledge of the topics, concepts, and authors addressed in the course;
the ability to apply the knowledge acquired to the analysis and interpretation of the texts and problems discussed;
the ability to establish independent and well-argued connections between different topics, authors, and perspectives, using rigorous disciplinary terminology.

Basic knowledge of early-modern philosophy. With regard to the history of science, no background knowledge is required. The course offers the students the first (and often the only one) occasion to meet the history of science.

Lectures; reading and commenting texts; a written proof in itinere concerning the history of philosophy.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via reference office 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 the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Concerning the part of history of science: written exam proof (with grade) consisting in the elaboration of three basic topics of the course. Excellent, intermediate and sufficient grade correspond the a complete, partial and with critical problems achievement of above mentioned mission of the course. Concerning the part of history of philosophy, written test in itinere and final oral examination. The final grade is calculated by a weighted average of the individual module evaluations.

The assessment is designed to verify the achievement of the course objectives and intended learning outcomes, both at a basic and at an advanced level.

The assessment will take into account, in particular:
knowledge and understanding of the course contents;
the ability to apply knowledge to the analysis of the texts and problems addressed;
independent judgement and argumentative skills;
clarity of exposition and appropriate use of disciplinary terminology.

The minimum passing level corresponds to knowledge of the fundamental contents and the ability to correctly reconstruct the main topics, concepts, and arguments addressed in the course.

An advanced level requires, in addition to knowledge of the contents, the ability to carry out critical analysis and interpretation, establish connections, and formulate independent arguments, using disciplinary terminology rigorously.

Concerning the history of science, the course offers outlines of history of modern science (15th-18th centuries) explaining exemplary study cases, reading short texts and discussing various models of scientific historiography. Concerning the history of philosophy, the course aims to reconstruct the genesis of Hume's thought through a study of the Early Memoranda, which allow us to understand that the origin of Hume's mature thought, as attested by the Treatise of Human Nature (1739-40), is to be found in a strictly metaphysical and theological approach, and that empiricism is the point of arrival, and not the point of departure, of Hume's thought.

Basic knowledge of the development of modern science and philosophy, with special attention, in the case of philosophy, to the genesis of Hume's thought and its first organic expression, the Treatise on Human Nature. Achievement of the following skills: comprehension of early modern scientific and philosophical texts with teacher guidance; comparison of different historical-scientific models; analysis and synthesis of texts and studies; elaboration of clear and consistent, written and oral presentations. The learning objectives can be reached in excellent, intermediate and sufficient way, if the three goals are achieved in full and partial way, or with persistent critical problems.

At a basic level, at the end of the course, students will be able to:
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main contents, concepts, and problems addressed in the course;
reconstruct the main theses and arguments of the authors and texts studied;
correctly use the main concepts and disciplinary terminology.

At an advanced level, at the end of the course, students will be able to:
critically analyse the texts, theses, and problems addressed in the course;
apply the knowledge acquired to the interpretation of the texts and problems proposed;
establish independent and well-argued connections between the different topics, authors, and problems addressed.