Philosophy

"The naturalization of the subject: from Hume to cognitive science" The nature of subjectivity is a central theme for philosophy in general, and for moral philosophy in particular. What does it mean to be an agent and a self? What makes us capable of having experiences, emotions, and thoughts? Does subjectivity reside in a unique, permanent, and individual substance, or is it the product of the biological feature of human beings? Is subjectivity exclusive to Homo sapiens, or can it also be found in other non-human forms of life? These and other questions characterize the philosophical inquiry into the nature of subjectivity. The course aims to explore one strand of this inquiry that begins with the philosophy of David Hume, meets the scientific revolution of Charles Darwin, and arrives at the contemporary debate within cognitive science, where philosophy, ethology, psychology, and neuroscience intersect. This path is that of the “naturalization” of subjectivity—that is, the attempt to account for what it means to be a subject, human or otherwise, through the dialogue between philosophy and science, relying solely on empirical data and scientific explanations. A naturalized conception of the subject also has important implications for ethics, which will be examined in the course.

General knowledge of the history of philosophy, of moral philosophy and philosophy of biology.

1. D. Hume, Trattato sulla natura umana, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 1987 2. E. Lecaldano, Identità personale. Storia e critica di un’idea, Carocci, Roma, 2021. 3. V. Questa, Storia naturale della soggettività. Filosofia, etologia, psicopatologia, Rosenberg & Sellier, 2025 4. Dispense fornite dal docente durante il corso e caricate sulla pagina Classroom

Attending the course is highly recommended

The evaluation consists of an oral examination. The following will be assessed (also during the course): 1. knowledge and understanding of the texts covered by the course, from their most general aspects to their details; in particular, the students' ability to confront a philosophical text and to critically analyse specific aspects of it will be assessed (evaluation points 1-15). 2. The students' ability to express themselves and to master the vocabulary (evaluation points 1-10). 3. Knowledge of the historical context (in relation to the thought of the authors covered by the course and in relation to the history of philosophy in general) (evaluation points 1-5).

Reading guides and introductions to the thought and specific works of the authors on the programme

Lectures with reconstruction of the context and reading, analysis and commentary of the texts. Reference will be made to the original texts. Active student participation is highly encouraged and will be stimulated throughout the lessons.