All first-year doctoral students must attend at least 34 hours of teaching dedicated to the PhD Students.
In particular, participation in the following is mandatory:
▪ 2 modules (each lasting 8 hours) organized by the PhD College in the second semester;
▪ 1 workshop (lasting 8 hours) on “Sources and tools for information retrieval” organized by the PhD College in collaboration with the Biblioteca di Filosofia in the second semester;
▪ at least 5 conferences/seminars/conventions (each lasting 2 hours) chosen from:
(1) the permanent seminars organized by the PhD College (see the “Seminars” section on the PhD website), and
(2) the conferences, seminars, and lectures promoted by the PhD College (announced on the PhD website, in the “Other scientific and educational activities” section).
All second-year PhD Students must attend at least 18 hours of teaching dedicated to the them.
In particular, participation in the following is mandatory:
▪ 1 module (lasting 8 hours) organized by the PhD College in the second semester;
▪ At least 5 conferences/seminars/conventions (lasting 2 hours each) chosen from:
(1) the permanent seminars organized by the PhD College (see the “Seminars” section on the PhD program website) and
(2) the conferences, seminars, and lectures promoted by the PhD Program (listed on the PhD program website, in the “Other scientific and educational activities” section).
All third-year doctoral students must attend at least 10 hours of teaching dedicated to PhD Students.
In particular, it is mandatory to:
▪ attend at least 5 conferences/seminars/conventions (lasting 2 hours each) chosen from:
(1) the permanent seminars organized by the PhD program (see the “Seminars” section on the PhD program website), or
(2) conferences, seminars, and lectures promoted by the PhD program (listed on the PhD program website, in the “Other scientific and educational activities” section);
▪ actively hold 4 hours of supplementary teaching activities under the supervision of a master's degree professor (laurea magistrale).
______ ______ ______ PHD CLASSES ______ ______ ______
2025/26
LUISA VALENTE
Language, lay people, female philosophers, non-Latin philosophies. Four emerging themes in the study of medieval philosophy.
The four lessons of the course will be dedicated to four different areas of research that are particularly lively in the current panorama of studies in the history of medieval philosophy. The aim is to highlight both the relevance of research in the field of medieval history and philosophy and the possibility that, beyond the field of specialists, it can provide useful themes and ideas for those dealing with related issues in other historical periods and in the contemporary world. Each lesson will consist of a selected bibliography and study centres that cultivate that particular area of research, as well as some commented readings of medieval texts, in Italian translation and in the original language where possible.
EMILIANO IPPOLITI
The construction of theories: artificial intelligence, algorithms and human beings
The construction of theories represents the core of human scientific and cognitive endeavour.
In recent years, this topic has been at the centre of philosophical inquiry, and has undergone a profound transformation with the emergence of artificial intelligence, which promises to redefine the very modes of scientific discovery and theory-building. This module offers a critical analysis of the main philosophical reflections on the theme of theory building, reconstructing its historical and conceptual evolution. Particular attention will be paid to the role of algorithms and artificial intelligence, highlighting both their potential and their epistemological limitations.
18 February 2026, 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Room XI
20 February 2026, 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Room XI
23 February 2026, 3:30–5:30 p.m., Room XI
25 February 2026, 3:30–5:30 p.m., Room XI, lecture with Prof. Sorin Bangu (Bergen
University)
CHIARA ADORISIO
Orientalism and Comparative Philosophy. Reflections on the method and canon of philosophy.
The gaps in the canon of Western philosophy, which still struggles to fully recognise the essential contribution of Arab or Arab-Jewish philosophy, or even Indian philosophy, are leading to a new flourishing of studies on little-known philosophical traditions and, at the same time, to a correction of the canon used until now and its theoretical assumptions. The methodological and conceptual problems that comparative philosophy—born within the context of European Orientalism and therefore strongly marked by the errors and prejudices of this trend of thought stigmatised by Edward Said in his book Orientalism (1979)—must
address invite a reconsideration of the comparative method. Certainly, philosophy in
general cannot completely do without comparative philosophy, in its function of constantly referring to the need for dialogue with different traditions of thought and the recognition of the mutual influences that these traditions have exerted. During the lessons of this module, we will analyse cases, currently under study, of philosophers and historians of philosophy who have innovated the comparative method, freeing themselves from the attitude of the Orientalist, and rethought philosophy and its purpose starting from a critical examination of the Western canon.
WILLEM LEMMENS
Monday, April 27
The Fate of Faith and Religion in the Enlightenment: introduction
(This talk will put the series of talks in context, ao on the basis of recent work of Jürgen
Habermas, Hans Joas, Charles Taylor and Robert Bellah)
Thursday, April 30
Spinoza on true religion and the emancipation of historical religion
Thursday, May 7
Hume: the voice of irreligion and the propagation of an ethics of humanity
Thursday, May 14
Kant: from moral metaphysics to a faith of reason