Linguistic, Literary and Translation Studies

Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy: the mind and the cogito The course will examine the question of “thinking,” its foundation, its status, and its meaning in Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy. We will begin with the discussion, particularly lively in the 17th century, concerning the determination and nature of the first principle of “thinking.” In this context, Descartes’ Metaphysical Meditations will be read and commented on step by step, especially with regard to the thesis of the cogito ( “I think”) which rises to the role and function of the first principle of thinking and knowing. The reading and commentary on the work will be contextualized within the most recent critical debate. PLEASE NOTE: An integral part of the course program is the participation of students in the sessions of the “Seminario permanente di Storia della filosofia” to be held at Villa Mirafiori in January and February 2026, and in the sessions of the “Seminario Cartesiano di Villa Mirafiori” also to be held at Villa Mirafiori from March to May 2026. The respective programs and schedules for the seminars will be made available by prof. Fronterotta on his Faculty web page by the end of 2025.

A knowledge corresponding to the level of the bachelor’s degree in philosophy is required. General knowledge of the history of philosophy with special focus on history of medieval and modern philosophy.

1. Primary texts: - R. Descartes, Meditazioni metafisiche, in any Italian translation, provided it is complete, and with the Latin text. 2. Secondary texts: One of your choice: - S. Di Bella, Le Meditazioni metafisiche di Cartesio. Introduzione alla lettura, Carocci, Roma 1997. - E. Scribano, Guida alla lettura delle Meditazioni metafisiche di Descartes, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2010. One of your choice: - I. Agostini, Descartes, Morcelliana, Brescia 2024. - M. Favaretti Camposampiero, Introduzione al razionalismo moderno, Mulino, Bologna 2023. 3. A general knowledge of the History of Medieval and Modern Philosophy is requested, see the following volumes: - L. Valente (in collaborazione con M. Lenzi), Le filosofie del Medioevo, Le Monnier-Mondadori, Firenze-Milano 2023. - G. Belgioioso, Storia della filosofia moderna, Le Monnier-Mondadori, Firenze-Milano 2018.

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 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. 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). 4. The capability of original elaboration and personal exploration of the issues addressed (evaluation points 1-5)

It will be suggested during the course

The course will consist of a careful study of the texts indicated in the program, which will be examined and commented in the light of the critical and historiographical tradition, making use of secondary literature even in foreign languages. PLEASE NOTE: An integral part of the course program is the participation of students in the sessions of the “Seminario permanente di Storia della filosofia” to be held at Villa Mirafiori in January and February 2026, and in the sessions of the “Seminario Cartesiano di Villa Mirafiori” also to be held at Villa Mirafiori from March to May 2026. The respective programs and schedules for the seminars will be made available by prof. Fronterotta on his Faculty web page by the end of 2025.

Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy: the mind and the cogito The course will examine the question of “thinking,” its foundation, its status, and its meaning in Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy. We will begin with the discussion, particularly lively in the 17th century, concerning the determination and nature of the first principle of “thinking.” In this context, Descartes’ Metaphysical Meditations will be read and commented on step by step, especially with regard to the thesis of the cogito ( “I think”) which rises to the role and function of the first principle of thinking and knowing. The reading and commentary on the work will be contextualized within the most recent critical debate. PLEASE NOTE: An integral part of the course program is the participation of students in the sessions of the “Seminario permanente di Storia della filosofia” to be held at Villa Mirafiori in January and February 2026, and in the sessions of the “Seminario Cartesiano di Villa Mirafiori” also to be held at Villa Mirafiori from March to May 2026. The respective programs and schedules for the seminars will be made available by prof. Fronterotta on his Faculty web page by the end of 2025.

A knowledge corresponding to the level of the bachelor’s degree in philosophy is required. General knowledge of the history of philosophy with special focus on history of medieval and modern philosophy.

1. Primary texts: - R. Descartes, Meditazioni metafisiche, in any Italian translation, provided it is complete, and with the Latin text. 2. Secondary texts: One of your choice: - S. Di Bella, Le Meditazioni metafisiche di Cartesio. Introduzione alla lettura, Carocci, Roma 1997. - E. Scribano, Guida alla lettura delle Meditazioni metafisiche di Descartes, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2010. One of your choice: - I. Agostini, Descartes, Morcelliana, Brescia 2024. - M. Favaretti Camposampiero, Introduzione al razionalismo moderno, Mulino, Bologna 2023. 3. A general knowledge of the History of Medieval and Modern Philosophy is requested, see the following volumes: - L. Valente (in collaborazione con M. Lenzi), Le filosofie del Medioevo, Le Monnier-Mondadori, Firenze-Milano 2023. - G. Belgioioso, Storia della filosofia moderna, Le Monnier-Mondadori, Firenze-Milano 2018.

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 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. 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). 4. The capability of original elaboration and personal exploration of the issues addressed (evaluation points 1-5)

It will be suggested during the course

The course will consist of a careful study of the texts indicated in the program, which will be examined and commented in the light of the critical and historiographical tradition, making use of secondary literature even in foreign languages. PLEASE NOTE: An integral part of the course program is the participation of students in the sessions of the “Seminario permanente di Storia della filosofia” to be held at Villa Mirafiori in January and February 2026, and in the sessions of the “Seminario Cartesiano di Villa Mirafiori” also to be held at Villa Mirafiori from March to May 2026. The respective programs and schedules for the seminars will be made available by prof. Fronterotta on his Faculty web page by the end of 2025.