Philosophy

THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY I.II B

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 and central topics of Theoretical Philosophy; improvement of: capacity of critical reading and in-depth historical-theoretical framing of philosophical texts; mastery of a highly specialized philosophical terminology in oral and written communication; improvement of argumentative skills; ability of proper utilizing secondary literature.

Channel 1

MARCELLO MUSTE' Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program

Hegemony and Philosophy in Gramsci’s “Prison Notebooks” The Prison Notebooks of Antonio Gramsci were written between February 1929 and an unspecified date in 1935. From the Primo quaderno (as Gramsci himself titled it), philosophy plays a particularly important role. In 1930, Gramsci began, in Notebook 4, the writing of the three series of Philosophical Notes, which, along with the notes on Canto X of Dante's Inferno, were intended to clarify the theoretical foundations of his historical and political thought. In four 'special' notebooks started in 1932 (Notebooks 10, 11, 12, and 13), Gramsci reworked and systematized these ideas, determining the formula of the 'philosophy of praxis' (borrowed from Antonio Labriola) as the core of a renewed conception of Marxism. The critique of the idealism of Benedetto Croce and the materialism of Bukharin sets the boundaries of this philosophical reflection, which directly refers to the work of Karl Marx.

Prerequisites

A knowledge corresponding to the level of the bachelor’s degree in philosophy is required. General knowledge of the theoretical philosophy.

Books

M. Mustè,Il pensiero di Gramsci, Carocci. A. Gramsci, Quaderni del carcere, a cura di V. Gerratana, Einaudi 1975 (Notebooks 10, 11, 12, 13 e 22)

Teaching mode

Lectures with reconstruction of the context and reading, analysis and commentary of the texts. The original texts will be constantly taken into account.

Frequency

Attending the course is highly recommended.

Exam mode

The evaluation consists of an oral examination. The following will be assessed 1. Knowledge and understanding of the text covered by the course, from its most general aspects to its details; in particular, the students' ability to confront a philosophical text and to critically and personally analyse specific aspects of it will be assessed (evaluation points 1-12). 2. The students' ability to express themselves and to master, even in detail, the vocabulary (evaluation points 1-8). 3. The capability of original elaboration and personal exploration of the issues addressed (evaluation points 1-5)

Lesson mode