Philosophical Anthropology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with theoretical and methodological tools enabling them to tackle contemporary philosophical debates in moral philosophy, with special reference to value theory, fondational and applied ethics, and to the anthropological basis of value judgments.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- have a thorough knowledge of the theoretical contribution of some of the major moral philosophers;
- have a critical and articulate knowledge of the secundary literature relevant to those philosophers, which have been object of analysis;
- have a critical understanding of the main ethical and axiological issues involved in the theoretical landscape of contemporary moral philosophy.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- can apply the conceptual tools that she/he has acquired, in order to discuss and rework moral questions concerning meaning and orientation of her/his acts.
- can orient her/him-self in the philosophical landscape of contemporary moral debate.
- can read and soundly discuss primary and secondary philosophical literature.
At the end of the course, the student
- have a thorough knowledge of the theoretical contribution of some of the major moral philosophers;
- have a critical and articulate knowledge of the secundary literature relevant to those philosophers, which have been object of analysis;
- have a critical understanding of the main ethical and axiological issues involved in the theoretical landscape of contemporary moral philosophy.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- can apply the conceptual tools that she/he has acquired, in order to discuss and rework moral questions concerning meaning and orientation of her/his acts.
- can orient her/him-self in the philosophical landscape of contemporary moral debate.
- can read and soundly discuss primary and secondary philosophical literature.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Course title: The problem of metaphysics in Martin Heidegger
The course will address the question posed by the nature of metaphysics in the thought of Martin Heidegger. This theme is at the root of the "turn" in Heidegger's thought in the years following the publication of Being and Time, and is at the center of Heidegger's confrontation with Kant's thought.
The course will address the question posed by the nature of metaphysics in the thought of Martin Heidegger. This theme is at the root of the "turn" in Heidegger's thought in the years following the publication of Being and Time, and is at the center of Heidegger's confrontation with Kant's thought.
Prerequisites for admission
The students are required to have a good acquaintance with the Western philosophical tradition, as it is provided by an Italian three-year philosophy degree.
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
Debate and discussion
Teaching Resources
Readings and assignments for attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Martin Heidegger, Kant e il problema della metafisica, Bari, Laterza 1981. [I ed. Friedrich Cohen, 1929]
· From Martin Heidegger, Segnavia, Adelphi, Milano 1987, the following texts:
- Che cos'è metafisica?
- Dell' essenza del fondamento
- Dell'essenza della verità
- Lettera sull'umanismo
· From Martin Heidegger, Saggi e discorsi, Mursia, Milano 1985, the following texts:
- La questione della tecnica
- Scienza e meditazione
- Oltrepassamento della metafisica
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Martin Heidegger, Introduzione alla metafisica, (I. ed. 1935), a cura di G. Vattimo, Mursia, Milano 1968.
Readings and assignments for non-attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Martin Heidegger, Kant e il problema della metafisica, Bari, Laterza 1981. [I ed. Friedrich Cohen, 1929]
· From Martin Heidegger, Segnavia, Adelphi, Milano 1987, the following texts:
- Che cos'è metafisica?
- Dell' essenza del fondamento
- Dell'essenza della verità
- Lettera sull'umanismo
· From Martin Heidegger, Saggi e discorsi, Mursia, Milano 1985, the following texts:
- La questione della tecnica
- Scienza e meditazione
- Oltrepassamento della metafisica
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Martin Heidegger, Introduzione alla metafisica, (I. ed. 1935), edited by G. Vattimo, Mursia, Milano 1968.
· Fabris, A., Cimino, A., Heidegger, Carocci, Roma 2009.
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Martin Heidegger, Kant e il problema della metafisica, Bari, Laterza 1981. [I ed. Friedrich Cohen, 1929]
· From Martin Heidegger, Segnavia, Adelphi, Milano 1987, the following texts:
- Che cos'è metafisica?
- Dell' essenza del fondamento
- Dell'essenza della verità
- Lettera sull'umanismo
· From Martin Heidegger, Saggi e discorsi, Mursia, Milano 1985, the following texts:
- La questione della tecnica
- Scienza e meditazione
- Oltrepassamento della metafisica
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Martin Heidegger, Introduzione alla metafisica, (I. ed. 1935), a cura di G. Vattimo, Mursia, Milano 1968.
Readings and assignments for non-attending students
Assignments both for 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
· Martin Heidegger, Kant e il problema della metafisica, Bari, Laterza 1981. [I ed. Friedrich Cohen, 1929]
· From Martin Heidegger, Segnavia, Adelphi, Milano 1987, the following texts:
- Che cos'è metafisica?
- Dell' essenza del fondamento
- Dell'essenza della verità
- Lettera sull'umanismo
· From Martin Heidegger, Saggi e discorsi, Mursia, Milano 1985, the following texts:
- La questione della tecnica
- Scienza e meditazione
- Oltrepassamento della metafisica
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
· Martin Heidegger, Introduzione alla metafisica, (I. ed. 1935), edited by G. Vattimo, Mursia, Milano 1968.
· Fabris, A., Cimino, A., Heidegger, Carocci, Roma 2009.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral test on the topics discussed over the course. The students that have not attended to the lectures will be required to study further texts, which are specified below. There is not any other difference in the way the exam is to be tackled between attending and not-attending students.
General criteria that contribute to the determination of the final marks are:
1) Accuracy of the answers (adequacy to the textual matter);
2) Ability to provide a synthesis of the main conceptual issues;
3) Comprehensiveness and richness of the answers;
4) Expressive quality (terminological property, fluency, accuracy)
5) Ability to select the salient aspects of each debate and to connect them in a critical framework.
General criteria that contribute to the determination of the final marks are:
1) Accuracy of the answers (adequacy to the textual matter);
2) Ability to provide a synthesis of the main conceptual issues;
3) Comprehensiveness and richness of the answers;
4) Expressive quality (terminological property, fluency, accuracy)
5) Ability to select the salient aspects of each debate and to connect them in a critical framework.
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte C
M-FIL/03 - MORAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)