History of Contemporary Philosophy (2007/2008)

Learning outcomes

The course is aimed at providing general knowledge concerning 20th-Century philosophy. In particular it will focus on the main issues and trends of contemporary philosophical debate, and their intertwining with the topics of historical and social sciences. This year’s privileged author is Hans-Georg Gadamer, the founder and main exponent of the philosophical trend known as Hermeneutics, which has tried to state the general conditions of human existence, essentially grounded in the nature of language and in the need of communication.

The programme will be divided into two sections:
1)The following topics and authors will be approached (chosen among the many ones that are dealt with in the handbooks on History of Philosophy):
-introduction to the 20th-Century philosophical climate: neo-criticism and neo-idealism;
-pragmatism and Dewey;
-Husserl and the phenomenological orientation;
-Heidegger and the various ways to existentialism;
-Wittgestein and neo-positivism;
-neo-Scholastics and personalism;
-Gadamer and contemporary hermeneutics;
-the School of Frankfurt and neo-Marxism.
Upon agreement with the teacher, students may choose alternative topics.
2) The lessons will provide a complete profile of Gadamer’s philosophical reflection, together with commentary and readings of some of his most known texts (listed in the references). Upon agreement with the teacher, students may substitute the indicated texts with others (of the same author),.

Texts for the exam:
1) A secondary education Philosophy handbook (ex. Reale-Antiseri, Berti-Volpi, Adorno-Gregory-Verra, Moravia, or the latest: L’esperienza del pensiero. La filosofia: storia, temi, attualità, vol. 5, Loescher, Torino 2006). For reference, see the following University handbooks: G. Fornero, Le filosofie del Novecento, Bruno Mondadori, Milano 2002; Storia della filosofia, edited by C. A. Viano and P. Rossi, Vol. VI, Laterza, Roma-Bari (two vols).

2)F. Bianco, Introduzione a Gadamer, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2004; a text chosen among the following: H.-G. Gadamer, Ermeneutica: uno sguardo retrospettivo, edited by G. B. Demarta, Bompiani, Milano 2006; H.-G. Gadamer, Linguaggio, edited by D. Di Cesare, Roma-Bari, Laterza 2005; H.-G. Gadamer, Il problema della coscienza storica, Guida, Napoli 2004.

Oral examination.