Ateneo - UPO

Questions concerning the nature of existence are among the most complex challenges in philosophical thought. In recent decades, analytic ontology—combining conceptual creativity with rigorous argumentative standards—has reshaped millennia-old lines of inquiry, granting them a methodological maturity that would have once seemed unimaginable. At the same time, it has opened new theoretical horizons, inaugurating entirely novel areas of research.This course offers an overview of the innovations and challenges that define contemporary analytic ontology. Particular attention will be devoted to theories of modality, with a focus on questions such as: Are possible worlds concrete entities—genuine alternative universes? Could I exist in more than one world?

The bibliography is the same for both attending and non-attending students:1. Carrara M., De Florio C., Lando G., Morato V. 2021. Introduzione alla Metafisica Contemporanea. il Mulino. 2. Nencha C. 2025. La Natura Ultima delle Cose. Carocci.3. Varzi A. 2005. Ontologia. Laterza.

The basic learning objective is to gain an understanding of the key themes in contemporary analytic ontology, with a particular focus on theories of modality. A more advanced learning objective is to argue in favor of or against the theories covered in the course, mastering their technical details, and identifying their strengths and weaknesses.

No prior knowledge of the course topics is required.

Lectures focused on interactive participation, with guided discussion of philosophical cases and analysis of examples, aimed at developing critical autonomy, the ability to apply course concepts, and clarity of exposition.

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 educational needs can request specific services and tools through the appropriate office, as indicated on the University website: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities. They can contact me after reaching out to the University staff, to discuss examination modalities and teaching arrangements.

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. A passing grade requires knowledge and understanding of the fundamental notions covered in the course, as well as the ability to explain them using appropriate terminology and to apply, at least with guidance, the tools of analytic ontology to simple philosophical cases. 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. There’s a slash in this canvas! Ontology and language analysis.1.3. Formal ontology.2. Basic notions.2.1. Everything, something, nothing: Existence and identity.2.2. The fusion of your nose and the Eiffel Tower: An introduction to mereology.2.3. Facts, properties, and relations.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.4. Further topics.4.1. Essentialism: The ultimate nature of things.4.2. Indeterminate entities: Do vague objects exist?4.3. At the edge of the impossible: Contradictory entities.The level of detail in 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 analytic ontology;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 analytic ontology;2. Applying knowledge and understanding: to assess the efficacy of technical details in addressing the key questions of analytic ontology; 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 analytic ontology;5. Learning skills: to explore on your own some technical topics of the contemporary debate.