Social Philosophy Lm A 2023/2024

The course is dedicated to the relationship between psychology, society and politics. The idea that the human mind is naturally endowed with social capacities has shed new light on the relationship between individuals and society, between the human sciences and the natural sciences, between psychology and morality. After a brief introduction to the fundamental concepts of the philosophy of mind, the course presents the ways in which these developments contribute to understanding social reality, to explaining how forms of stable cooperation arise and are maintained, to clarify how institutions can be evaluated. In this light, he discusses the relationship between ethics, politics, and the social sciences with a specific focus on the problem of social justice.  

Subjects:  

1 Psychology

1.1. intentional psychology

1.2. Deliberation and judgment

1.2. Empathy and social cognition

1.3. Culture and cognition  

2. Society

2.1. Individualism and rationality

2.2. Social action and collective mentality

2.3. The construction of social reality: rules, institutions and practices

2.4. Cooperation and justice  

3. Politics  

3.3. Power 

3.4. Alienation

3.5.Ideology

3.6. Justice

References   

1. One text chosen from the following:      

- J. Searle, Making the Social World, Oxford: OUP 2010, cap. 1 2 3 4 5 6.    

- M. Tomasello, Why We Cooperate, Cambridge (MA): MIT Press 2008, part I.  

2. One text chosen from the following:  

- R. Jaeggi, Alienation, New York: Columbia University Press 2016.

- M. Sandel, Justice, New York: Penguin 2010, chapters 1, 2, 3, 6, 9.