Ateneo - UPO

Secularization: An Idea, a History. The course will begin with the concept of secularization and its development in historiography; in particular, the reflections of Max Weber and Carl Schmitt will be examined. These historiographical concepts will then be considered in light of the theological-political problem that arose within modernity, through the spectrum of the philosophies of Paolo Sarpi and, above all, Thomas Hobbes.

M. Weber, La scienza come professione. La politica come professione, Einaudi, Torino, 2004; C. Schmitt, Le categorie del politico, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2013; C. Schmitt, Sul Leviatano, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2008; G. Baldin, Thomas Hobbes: Filosofia e politica nell'Europa del Seicento, Carocci, Roma, 2025,
Further materials will be made available by the teacher.

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

Please register to DIR platform. 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/servicesstudents-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.

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 course objectives are: 1) To examine the genesis of the concept of secularization in historiographical terms; 2) To investigate the phenomenon of secularization in the modern era and consider the centrality of Hobbes's thought in its development; 3) To highlight the importance of this concept in early modern European cultural history; 5) To demonstrate the importance of this concept in the development of freedom of thought and the promotion of cultural diversity, through a reading of Hobbes's political philosophy proposed by Pierre Bayle.Agenda: a) The "disenchantment of the world" in Max Weber; b) The secularization of political theology in Carl Schmitt; c) Political theology and the Nomos of the Earth; d) The importance of Leviathan and Hobbes's political philosophy for the modern idea of ​​the state; e) The importance of Paolo Sarpi; f) The political and theological-political philosophy of Thomas Hobbes; g) Secularization and intellectual freedom

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