Unit POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY AND PUBLIC ETHICS
- Course
- Philosophy and ethics of relationships
- Study-unit Code
- GP005060
- Curriculum
- Filosofia e storia
- Teacher
- Luca Alici
- Teachers
-
- Luca Alici
- Hours
- 42 ore - Luca Alici
- CFU
- 7
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2026
- Offered
- 2026/27
- Learning activities
- Caratterizzante
- Area
- Discipline classiche, storiche, antropologiche e politico-sociali
- Sector
- GSPS-01/A
- Type of study-unit
- Opzionale (Optional)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- Italian
- Contents
- “DEATH GOES SOCIAL.”
HOW THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION IS CHANGING THE EXPERIENCE OF DEATH
This course aims to analyze the challenges posed by new digital and artificial technologies from the perspective of human enhancement, with a particular focus on the theme of death and the changes that ultimately affect the way we conceive of it.
Following a general introduction to how the relationship with death has changed in the West, the focus will shift to two emerging trends, both resulting from the advent of new technologies: the attempt to view death as obsolete within the post-humanist debate, and the way in which the digital world is transforming the very experience of death. - Reference texts
- 1) REQUIRED READING (for the exam)
a) Introductory section
- W. Spellman, A Brief History of Death, Bollati Boringhieri 2015
- L. Grion, Who’s Afraid of the Posthuman? A Handbook for Human 2.0, Mimesis 2021
b) Monographic section
- D. Sisto, Death Goes Social: Immortality, Memory and Mourning in the Age of Digital Culture, Bollati Boringhieri 2018 or D. Sisto, Living Forever: The Afterlife in the Age of ChatGPT, Bollati Boringhieri 2025
- G. Ziccardi, The Digital Book of the Dead: Memory, Mourning, Eternity and Oblivion in the Age of Social Networks, Utet 2017 - Educational objectives
- The overall objectives are: to foster a critical understanding of fundamental issues in political philosophy, with regard to the relationship between politics and the political sphere and the political implications of the digital revolution; to develop analytical and logical reasoning skills; to examine certain issues through the lens of the classics of philosophical thought; to develop communication skills; and to be able to convey knowledge using appropriate philosophical language; learning skills; and the acquisition of a rational learning method that enables students to pursue their studies in a mature manner
- Prerequisites
- A basic understanding of the fundamentals of the History of Philosophy (ancient, modern and contemporary), acquired through the first-year core modules, is essential; the ability to delve into the substance of the issues addressed, developing a non-predetermined line of reasoning and thought, is useful
- Teaching methods
- - interactive and participatory lectures
- classroom discussions
- seminars
- text-based exercises
- use of technical equipment: video projector, audio-visual material - Other information
- a) for students who ensure active attendance, the course content is limited to that specified
b) the recommended texts offer further opportunities for in-depth study; these may, however, be agreed upon, revised or expanded in consultation with the lecturer
c) non-attending students or those with attendance deficits will be assigned supplementary study programmes on a pro rata basis, subject to agreement with the lecturer
d) Attendance at lectures is not compulsory but is strongly recommended
e) Additional information (reference texts and readings to be suggested during the lectures) can be found on the Unistudium portal (https://www.unistudium.unipg.it/unistudium/). You can register and log in using your University credentials: registration is compulsory. - Learning verification modality
- Oral examination, designed to assess:
a) the extent and quality of the candidate’s knowledge of the relevant historical and cultural context and of the key features of the authors’ thought
b) the candidate’s ability to analyse and argue a case
c) the clarity and rigour of the candidate’s presentation. - Extended program
- A history of philosophical and cultural reflection on death from antiquity to the present day: an outline of a reconstruction.
The posthumanist debate and the issue of human enhancement: implications for death.
The social media and artificial intelligence revolution: implications for death