History of science and technology

Course objectives

Given for granted some basic and indispensable goals (knowledge and understanding in the field of studies; ability to apply knowledge and understanding; capability of critical analysis; communication skills on that which has been learned; capacity to undertake further studies with some autonomy), the course intends to attain the following specific objectives: knowledge of key notions of history of science and technology by means of an analysis of some classics of the discipline; improvement of: capacity of critical reading and historical-theoretical framing of scientific and philosophical texts; mastery of philosophical and scientific terminology in oral and written communication; argumentative skills.

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NUNZIO ALLOCCA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
Technological Innovation and Scientific Revolutions: from Galileo’s Telescope to Generative AI The course will examine the relationship between scientific development and technological innovation starting from the "Scientific Revolution" in early modern Europe. In the first part of the course, particular attention will be paid to the origins of machinism in the Scientific Revolution and its development in the Industrial Revolution. Some aspects of the revolution underway today in the field of Artificial Intelligence will then be investigated
Prerequisites
A basic knowledge of philosophical disciplines (corresponding to the level of the upper secondary school) is required. In particular, it is needed a mastery of the basic philosophical terminology.
Books
- P. Rossi, La nascita della scienza moderna in Europa, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2011. - M. Beretta, Storia materiale della scienza. Dal libro ai laboratori, Bruno Mondadori, Milano 2015. - L. Floridi, La quarta rivoluzione. Come l’infosfera sta trasformando il mondo, Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2017. - R. Manzotti, Simone Rossi, Io & Ia: Mente, Cervello e GPT, Rubettino, 2023
Frequency
attending the course is highly recommended
Exam mode
The exam will consist of an oral examination, which will focus on all the texts to be studied. Students must show: 1. Knowledge of the content of the texts; 2. Skill of communicating it and mastery of the technical terminology of the various studied philosophers; 3. Ability to grasp the main issues and to discuss them critically; 4. Ability to elaborate an argument about the treated issues in an personal way. 1. and 2. are necessary conditions in order to pass the exam. A final grade superior to 27 will be given to students who reach all the goals.
Lesson mode
Frontal lessons and seminar discussions of the text and the issues treated in the course.
  • Lesson code10592885
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CoursePhilosophy and Artificial Intelligence
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year1st year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDM-STO/05
  • CFU12