B003393 - AESTHETICS

Italian

The course aims to introduce the basic concepts of aesthetics in order to
clarify its relationship with the development of a symbolic mind.
Particular attention will be devoted to the centrality of art practices in
the communicative sphere.

1. F. Desideri – C. Cantelli, Storia dell’estetica occidentale. Da Omero alle
neuroscienze, Carocci, Roma 20123.
It's better to read the entire book; for the examination, students must be
familiar with the following paragraphs: 1.1.; 1.3.; 1.5.; 1.6.; 1.8.; 2.1.;
2.2.; 2.5.; 3.1.; 3.2.; 3.5.; 3.6.; 4.1.; 4.2.; 4.3.; 4.6.; 4.7; 5.1.; 5.2.; 5.4;
5.5.; 5.6.; 5.7; 6.1.; 6.2.; 6.4.; 6.7.; 6.9; 6.12; 7.1.; 7.3.; 7.4; 7.5.; 7.6.;
7.7.; 7.8; 7.10.; 7.12.; 7.13.
2. A book chosen from the following two:
a) F. Desideri, La percezione riflessa. Estetica e filosofia della mente,
Raffaello Cortina Editore, Milano 2011.
Limited to the Preface (pages XIII-XXI) and the Chapters 1-5 (pages 1-
134; it is possible to skip pages 23-27, “Between intention and attention.
A Husserlian look”). The pages are not many, but the text is not easy. It's
recommended, therefore, for students (especially attending) who have
some familiarity with philosophical argumentations.
b) F. Desideri, Forme dell’estetica. Dall’esperienza del bello al problema
dell’arte, Laterza, Roma-Bari 20093 (pp. VII-168).
Recommended text for students who do not attend or who have less
familiarity with philosophical arguments in general.
3. W. Benjamin, L’opera d’arte nell’epoca della sua riproducibilità tecnica.
Tre versioni (1936-1939), a cura di F. Desideri, Donzelli, Roma 2012 (pp.
V-138).
The three main versions of the most influential essay of the twentieth
century to understand the changing meaning and the new functions of
the art in a Mass-Technological Society.

KNOWLEDGE: Acquisition of basic knowledge of aesthetics, with
particular attention to the role that aesthetic experience plays in the
development of a symbolic mind and to the centrality of art practices in
the communicative sphere.
COMPETENCIES: Development of conceptual and practical skills regarding
the relationship between Aesthetics and the dynamics of the
communication, with particular reference to the contemporary forms of
art practices.

Basic knowledge in anthropological, linguistic, philosophical and
sociological sciences, usually acquired during the first two years of
studies. It is recommended in any case to attend the course.

Lectures, using slides and with particular attention to the development of
an interactive discussion.

Course Title
The Aesthetic Experience and the Dynamics of Communication

The examination will be oral.

The course aims to clarify the sense of aesthetics for human life with
particular reference to the communication issues in the Net Society. We
will try, therefore, to answer the following questions: 1) How originates
and develops in humans the aesthetic attitude towards others and the
world? 2) What kind of relationship is there between the exercise of an
aesthetic attitude with the cognitive and emotional dimensions of the
experience, starting from the dynamics of perception? 3) What is the
value and significance of the aesthetic and artistic practices in the
communicative sphere?