Forms of Scientific Knowledge in China and Japan

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: A) knowledge of key notions and central topics on the history of science and technology in Oriental Asia; B) improvement of: capacity of critical reading and in-depth historical-theoretical framing of philosophical and scientific texts; ability of proper utilizing secondary literature; mastery of a highly specialized philosophical terminology in oral and written communication; improvement of argumentative skills.

Channel 1
NUNZIO ALLOCCA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
Artificial and Natural: Science, Technological Consciousness, Society, and Culture in the West and East Asia During the course, we will examine the shifting boundaries between the artificial and the natural in East Asia and the West resulting from technological transformations from the 15th century to the present. We will discuss some of the complex social, cultural, political-religious, and technical-economic conditions that contributed to the scientific and industrial revolutions in Europe in the early modern period, as well as the key historical factors that impeded or slowed their development in the East until the second half of the 20th century.
Prerequisites
A knowledge corresponding to the level of the bachelor’s degree in Oriental Studies is required.
Books
- J. Needham, Scienza e società in Cina, Il Mulino, Bologna, 1973 - Paolo Rossi, La nascita della scienza moderna in Europa, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2011 - Byung-chul Han, Le non cose: come abbiamo smesso di vivere il reale, Einaudi, Torino, 2022 - Byung-chul Han, L'espulsione dell'Altro: società, percezione e comunicazione oggi, Nottetempo, Milano 2017
Frequency
attending the course is highly recommended
Exam mode
he exam will consist of a discussion in the classroom of one of the topics covered in the course, agreed with the teacher upon proposal of the student (or, alternatively, a paper on a topic agreed with the teacher); c) an oral interview on the scheduled texts. The oral examination 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 code10616558
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseOriental Languages and Cultures
  • CurriculumLingua cinese (percorso valido anche ai fini del conseguimento del doppio titolo italo-cinese)
  • Year2nd year
  • Duration12 months
  • SSDM-STO/05
  • CFU6