Course program
Nature, Technique and History
What is the relationship between nature and technique? How is this relationship articulated and how does it develop in history? What changes if this relationship is approached from the point of view of gender? These are the questions that will be examined, through the analysis of some classical texts of Western thought. The first part of the course will be devoted to reading Aristotle's Second Book of Physics in the light of Martin Heidegger's essay on The Question concerning Technology. The second part will examine some historical perspectives, in particular through the analyses of Hannah Arendt and Gunter Anders. Finally, the conceptual tools acquired will be used to try to address some questions related to crucial current issues, such as war crises, climate emergencies and the use of sophisticated technologies related to developments in Artificial Intelligence.
Prerequisites
General knowledge of the history of philosophy and aptitude for theoretical enquiry.
Books
1. Aristotele, Fisica, Libro Secondo, a cura di R. Radice, Bompiani, Milano 2011, pp. 179-237
2. Heidegger La questione della tecnica, in Id., Saggi e discorsi, a cura di Gianni Vattimo, Mursia, Milano 1976, pp. 5-27.
3. Hannah Arendt, Il concetto di storia: nell’antichità e oggi, in Id., Tra passato e futuro, Garzanti, Milano 2011, pp. 70-129.
4. Gunter Anders, La storia I. La tecnica come soggetto della storia, in L’uomo è antiquato, Vol. 2, Bollati Boringhieri 2003, pp. 251-276.
5. Jean W. Scott, Il “genere”: un’utile categoria di analisi storica, in Genere, politica, storia, a cura di I. Fazio, Viella, Roma 2013, pp. 31-64..
6. Elettra Stimilli, Filosofia dei mezzi, Neri Pozza, Vicenza 2023, pp. 109-204.
Frequency
Attending the course is highly recommended
Exam mode
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 analyze 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 theoretical 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).
Bibliography
Reading guides and introductions to the thought and specific works of the authors on the programme
Lesson mode
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 also through seminar interventions.