Philosophy

title: Individuals and the commons, passions and equality, manliness and femininity in J.J. Rousseau. Focus of the course is to explore the ethical and political thought of J. J. Rousseau, reading some of his classical texts. The analysis will be focused on the role of passions, pro and anti-social, his radical critique to civilization e to unequal societies, his description of the state of nature, and his treatment of social contract and democracy, together with the role for morality and education, in order to illustrate the radical nature of his proposals, which remain a turning point in modern thought and have been so influential afterwards. Beyond the analysis of these classical themes, attention will be especially devoted to the role sentiments and passion play in social dynamics according to this author, also in the light of contemporary developments of ethical and political proposals pivoting on care and friendship. Finally, in relation with this theme, but also under a more critical light, the final part of the course will be devoted to examining Rousseau’s ideas concerning women and femininity.

A basic knowledge of philosophical disciplines corresponding to the level of the upper secondary school is required.

J.J. Rousseau, Discorso sull'origine e i fondamenti dell'ineguaglianza tra gli uomini, Editori Riuniti, Roma, 2018 (da leggere integralmente) (in alternativa: il testo compreso in J.J. Rousseau, Scritti politici 1, Laterza, Roma Bari, 2022, pp. 117-224, o l’edizione Laterza, collana I Robinson, 2017.). J.J. Rousseau, Il contratto sociale, Economica Laterza, Rona-Bari, 2019 (vanno letti I e II libro e l’introduzione di T. Magri) (in alternativa si prenda il volume Bompiani che contiene Discorso e Contratto sociale, 2012). J.J. Rousseau, Emilio, Mondadori, Milano, 2013 (i seguenti passi: Libro I: pp. 7-9; libro IV: §1 pp. 277-285; §2 solo pp. 289-292, §3 pp. 292-302, §5 solo pp.313-316; Libro V: §1, pp. 495-504; §2, pp. 504-515, §4, pp-596-576). Almeno uno a scelta tra i seguenti testi di commento (uno obbligatorio, più d’uno facoltativo): P. Casini, Introduzione a Rousseau, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 1986, pp. 28-47. P. Donatelli, Etica, Einaudi, Torino, 2015, l’intero capitolo Russeau, alle pp. 271-302. R. Derathé, “Del contratto sociale”, in J.J. Rousseau, Il contratto sociale, Einaudi, Torino, 1966, pp. vii-xxxvi. M. Reale, La politica nel Discorso sull’ineguaglianza in relazione al Contratto sociale, in M. Reale, Tre saggi su Rousseau, Castelvecchi, Roma, 2019, pp. 103-145. E. Pulcini, L’individuo senza passioni, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino, 2001, cap. 3. C. Pateman, Il contratto sessuale, Editori Riuniti, Roma, 1997, pp. 52-100 (cap. 3) e pp.124-133.

Attending the course is highly recommended, bit non mandatory. Only thse attending the 80&% of the lessons will be considere attending students.

The exam will consist of an oral examination. In the oral examination (30 minutes) students must show: 1. Knowledge of the content of the texts; 2. Skill of communicating, mastery of the technical terminology of the various authors studied; 3. Ability to grasp the main issues and to discuss them critically; 4. Ability to elaborate an argument about the matters treated in a personal way. 1. and 2. are necessary conditions to pass the exam.

M. Menin, Rousseau. Un illuminista inquieto, Carocci, Roma, 2021.

Frontal lessons and seminar discussions of the texts and the issues dealt with in the course. Attending the course is highly recommended