Course From Narrative Ethics to Artificial Narratives. Between Stereotyping and New Forms of Storytelling'

Aim/Learning outcomes

The seminar will have a clear interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary focus (Philosophy, Ethics, Narratological Studies). It aims to explore and discuss the foundations of narrative ethics, situating it between deontology and teleology. It also aims to outline the key differences between narratives and stories and consider the characteristics of narratives that enable us to speak of artificial or automatic narratives. In order to reach such objectives, first, we will define the concepts of narrativity and narration in philosophy, particularly in ethics.  Second, we will evaluate narrative ethics on the basis of its ability to exemplify ways of life, transmit and exchange experiences, and strengthen community bonds. Third, we will consider whether the 'synthetic' capacity of narration, which brings together diverse experiences, times and places, is always morally beneficial, and whether its ability to resolve vicissitudes and conflicts is inherent in its structure and therefore malleable and reproducible in a pervasive, standardized, automatic, or even artificial way. Alternatively, to grasp the authentic ethical significance of storytelling, might we need to abandon the idea of coherence and linearity, favouring instead fragmentation and micro-narratives? Walter Benjamin will be one of the key authors on this journey.

Aim/Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

- accurately define narrative ethics and formulate an independent and informed critique of its resources and limitations

- recognise the connection between traditional narrative mechanisms, linear temporality and the progressive view of history

- formulate hypotheses about the links between these characteristics and artificially generated narratives

- appreciate divergent and marginal forms of narration that deviate from traditional narratological canons, and that can contribute to the emergence of different value and normative horizons

Requirements for participation

No requirement for participation

Target group/Participants

The course is intended to PhD students at all levels.

Workload

• Course/ teaching hours: 20 hours
• Preparation hours: 5 hours
• Written assignments etc.: A short commentary of no more than 1,000 words on the literature provided during the course, focusing on one of the topics discussed in the lessons.

Language 

• English

Lecturers

• Prof. Silvia Pierosara, Associate Professor of Moral Philosophy, University of Macerata, Italy.

Literature

• To be distributed after the application deadline.

Venue

Course dates:

• 28 April 2026 13:00 - 17:00
• 04 May 2026 13:00 - 17:00
• 12 May 2026 13:00 - 17:00
• 13 May 2026 13:00 - 17:00
• 19 May 2026 13:00 - 17:00