Philosophy

Hedonism and the Nature of the Good The course is divided into two parts. The first part is devoted to an analysis of the meaning of pleasure and the role it plays in ethics in some of the central figures of the modern and utilitarian tradition. In particular, we will examine the views of David Hume, Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, Henry Sidgwick, and G. E. Moore, focusing on how each of them conceives of pleasure, its value, and its function in moral judgment. The second part addresses contemporary philosophical debates about the nature of pleasure and the status of hedonism as a theory of value. It will focus on two central questions: What is pleasure? (a sensation, an attitude, an experience, the satisfaction of a preference, etc.), and is pleasure really the only ultimate property that confers moral value, as hedonism maintains, or are there other things that are intrinsically good? The aim of the course is to provide both a solid historical foundation and the conceptual tools needed to critically assess hedonism in its classical and contemporary forms.

Attending the class requires one to have already acquired a basic background at secondary school level in the philosophical disciplines.

The required readings are the following: 1) Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek, 'The Philosophy of Pleasure An Introduction', Routledge, 2024; 2) 3) In addition to these, PDF files will be made available on Classroom with contemporary articles and excerpts from classical authors, which students will be expected to study for the exam.

Attendance is highly recommended.

The examination consists of an oral interview lasting approximately thirty minutes. The interview will cover the entire programme. To pass the tests, the student must demonstrate that he/she 1. to know the content of the texts dealt with; 2. to correctly master the vocabulary used by the authors; 3. to grasp the most relevant themes and issues and to be able to discuss them critically; 4. to be able to autonomously elaborate an argument relating to the content dealt with. Satisfaction of points 1 and 2 is a prerequisite for passing the examination. Grades above 27 will be awarded to students whose performance satisfies all four points.

Frontal teaching and seminar discussion of the text and topics covered. attendance is highly recommended.

Hedonism and the Nature of the Good The course is divided into two parts. The first part is devoted to an analysis of the meaning of pleasure and the role it plays in ethics in some of the central figures of the modern and utilitarian tradition. In particular, we will examine the views of David Hume, Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, Henry Sidgwick, and G. E. Moore, focusing on how each of them conceives of pleasure, its value, and its function in moral judgment. The second part addresses contemporary philosophical debates about the nature of pleasure and the status of hedonism as a theory of value. It will focus on two central questions: What is pleasure? (a sensation, an attitude, an experience, the satisfaction of a preference, etc.), and is pleasure really the only ultimate property that confers moral value, as hedonism maintains, or are there other things that are intrinsically good? The aim of the course is to provide both a solid historical foundation and the conceptual tools needed to critically assess hedonism in its classical and contemporary forms.

Attending the class requires one to have already acquired a basic background at secondary school level in the philosophical disciplines.

The required readings are the following: 1) Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek, 'The Philosophy of Pleasure An Introduction', Routledge, 2024; 2) 3) In addition to these, PDF files will be made available on Classroom with contemporary articles and excerpts from classical authors, which students will be expected to study for the exam.

Attendance is highly recommended.

The examination consists of an oral interview lasting approximately thirty minutes. The interview will cover the entire programme. To pass the tests, the student must demonstrate that he/she 1. to know the content of the texts dealt with; 2. to correctly master the vocabulary used by the authors; 3. to grasp the most relevant themes and issues and to be able to discuss them critically; 4. to be able to autonomously elaborate an argument relating to the content dealt with. Satisfaction of points 1 and 2 is a prerequisite for passing the examination. Grades above 27 will be awarded to students whose performance satisfies all four points.

Frontal teaching and seminar discussion of the text and topics covered. attendance is highly recommended.