Analysis of Hannah Arendt's theory of modernity in her interpretations of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Rousseau, Hegel, Marx. Their theories of rationality, history and politics will be investigated: special attention will be given to Machiavelli and Hobbes as founders of modern political theory and to their theories of instrumental rationality. We will explore seventeenth century England, both the country and the century of the emergence of modernity in Arendt's thinking.
Course Content - Last names L-Z
Analysis of Hannah Arendt's theory of modernity in her interpretations of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Rousseau, Hegel, Marx. Their theories of rationality, history and politics will be investigated: special attention will be given to Machiavelli and Hobbes as founders of modern political theory and to their theories of instrumental rationality. We will explore seventeenth century England, both the country and the century of the emergence of modernity in Arendt's thinking.
H. Arendt, Tra passato e futuro, Milano, Garzanti, 1991;
H.Arendt, Sulla rivoluzione, Torino, Einaudi, 2006;
Abstracts from:J.Agassi-I.C.Jarvie (eds), Rationality: the Critical View, Dordrecht-Boston-Lancaster, Martinus Nijhoff, 1987;
D.Coli, Hobbes, Roma e Machiavelli nell'Inghilterra degli Stuart, Firenze, Le Lettere, 2009.
H.Arendt, Tra passato e futuro, Milano, Garzanti, 1991;
H.Arendt, Sulla rivoluzione, Torino,Einaudi, 2006;
Abstracts from: J.Agassi-I.C.Jarvie (eds), Rationality: the Critical View, Dordrecht-Boston-Lancaster, Martinus Nijoff, 1987;
D. Coli, Hobbes, Roma e Machiavelli nell'Inghilterra degli Stuart, Firenze, Le Lettere, 2009.
Learning Objectives - Last names A-K
The first aim of the course is to make students familiar with Hannah Arendt's critical vision of modernity and its links with her experience of totalitarianism in twentieth century. The second aim is to introduce students to the problems with theories of instrumental rationality and with those of value or bilief-driven rationality.
Learning Objectives - Last names L-Z
The first aim of the course is to make students familiar with Hannah Arendt's critical vision of modernity and its links with her experience of totalitarianism in the twentieth century. The second aim is to introduce students to the problems with theories of instrumental rationality and with those of value or belief-driven rationality.
Prerequisites - Last names A-K
No
Prerequisites - Last names L-Z
No
Teaching Methods - Last names A-K
frontal lesson
Teaching Methods - Last names L-Z
frontal lesson
Further information - Last names A-K
No
Further information - Last names L-Z
No
Type of Assessment - Last names A-K
Oral examination
Type of Assessment - Last names L-Z
Oral examination
Course program - Last names A-K
General introduction to Arendt's thinking.Analysis of the key features of her critical theory of modernity: a) the end of classical tradition of politics, the end of religious and political unity of Europe, the scientific, political and economical revolutions.b) Criticism of instrumental rationality of Machiavelli and Hobbes, of Rousseau's nationalism, of Hegel's and Marx's philosophy of history. Information on historical context and comparison with different theories of rationality.
Course program - Last names L-Z
General introduction to Arendt's thinking. Analysis of the key features of her critical theory of modernity: a) the end of the classical tradition of politics, the end of religious and political unity of Europe, the scientific, political and economical revolutions.b) Criticism of instrumental rationality of Machiavelli and Hobbes, of Rousseau's nationalism, of Hegel's and Marx's philosophy of history. Information on historical context and comparison with different theories of rationality.