Art History

LUCA MARCHETTI
LUCA MARCHETTI

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; ability to communicate about what has been learned; skills to undertake further studies with some autonomy), the course intends to attain the following specific objectives:
- learning to analyze a complex philosophical text;
- understanding Kant’s aesthetic thought;
- discussing divergent interpretations of a philosophical text;
- learning to use philosophical thinking in relation to art works and contemporary culture.

In addition to the fundamental objectives common to the Degree Course in Philosophy, this Course aims to achieve certain specific objectives in accordance with the five ‘Dublin descriptors’: (descriptor A) knowledge of the theoretical framework, central issues, concepts and key terms of the discipline; (descriptor B) ability to understand and critically analyse the texts studied; (descriptor C) ability to reconstruct a philosophical problem and discuss the topics studied; (descriptor D) ability to use technical vocabulary and argue the issues covered rigorously; (descriptor E) ability to explore philosophical issues in a personal and original way by learning a method and researching a reference bibliography.

A basic knowledge of philosophy at secondary school level and a general understanding equivalent to a bachelor's degree are required.

The enactive mind: cognitive processes, art, and experience
The course aims to rethink cognitive processes within the horizon opened up by the new 4E cognitive sciences, in order to bring out the constitutive dimension of corporeality and, in particular, of an “acting” body. The paradigm of the ‘embodied’ and ‘enactive’ mind aims to overcome the dualism of ‘internal/external’, and with it the ‘representationalist’ model of our experience of the world, allowing us to rethink the question of ‘continuity/discontinuity’ between human and non-human cognitive processes. Within this theoretical framework, and through the recent publication of one of its protagonists, Shaun Gallagher, the course aims first and foremost to offer an overview of the different, sometimes conflicting, theories that make up the diverse family of so-called ‘4E cognitive sciences’ (embodied, embedded, enactive, extended). Secondly, the course aims to analyze one of the founding works of the new cognitive sciences, namely the text by Varela, Thompson, and Rosch, “The Embodied Mind” (in its recent Italian translation). The analysis of this work will allow us to explore the paradigm of the embodied mind and analyze the various issues related to this paradigm. Thirdly, through Alva Noë's “sensomotor” theory of perception, the course aims to understand what it means to experience those particular objects we call “works of art.”

(1) Gallagher S., Paradigmi della cognizione incarnata ed enattiva, Mimesis, 2025; (2) Varela F.J., Thompson E., Rosch E., La mente nel corpo. Scienze cognitive ed esperienza umana, Astrolabio, 2024 (pages 7-57 and 197-285 only); (3) Noë A., Strani strumenti. L'arte e la natura umana, Einaudi, 2022 (pages 1–164 only).

The reference bibliography is not an examination material: (a) Caruana F., Borghi A., Il cervello in azione, il Mulino, Bologna, 2016

Lectures, seminars and text analysis. The course aims to encourage students to discuss topics, texts and issues addressed during the course in class.

Class attendance is highly recommended.

The assessment consists of an oral examination lasting approximately 30 minutes on the topics and texts covered in class. The following elements will be subject to evaluation: (1) A comprehensive knowledge of the theories of the authors covered in the programme; (2) The ability to understand and critically analyse the texts covered in the programme; (3) The ability to discuss and reconstruct the topics and issues covered in class; (4) The ability to master the vocabulary of the authors covered in the programme; (5) The ability to explore the theories covered in class in a personal and original way. In order to pass the examination, it is necessary to satisfy the requirements of points (1) and (2). In order to be awarded marks above 27, it is necessary for students to satisfy all five of the indicated points.

The questions cover topics and problems addressed during the lectures and the texts in the examination programme. For instance: What is the author's position in essay Y? What are the central concepts of theory Z? What are the main differences between theory Z and theory T?