This paper develops a comparison between the thesis tackled in Plato’s Laws X, according to which gods do exist but are not concerned about human affairs, and the similar opinion endorsed by Epicurus. In both cases the existence of a degree of kinship between the gods and human beings is assumed, although the inherent features of the gods are inconsistent with their caring for our world. My proposal is that Epicurus modified the thesis in order to avoid the arguments formulated in Plato’s Laws.

Keywords: Plato’s Laws, Epicurean Theology, Providence.

The essay intends to rethink the theological problematic within the context of Kant’s theoretical philosophy. To this end, it is shown in the first steps in what sense the transcendent procedure, inherent to the nature of reason itself, takes a systematic form in metaphysical discourse. Starting from this premise, we analyze in particular the idea of God understood as a transcendental Ideal. Kant argues that it is this idea that constitutes the crown of knowledge. As such, it is to be re­garded as marking the completion of critical enquiry itself (B 698). The rethought theological discourse that Kant develops from this basic thesis takes the form of a reflective physico-theology that allows one to understand the experience of the world in its asymptotic unity.

Keywords: Reason, Unconditioned, Transcendental Ideal, regulative function, physico-theology.

This article analyses the role of the philosopher in the context of the contempo­rary age. In doing so, we decided to analyse French philosophy in particular, by focusing on the works of Gabriel Marcel. This study concerns four main points: we will consider the need to do philosophy, particularly in today’s world, and consequently the role of the philosopher as a veritable mission; his importance in relation to social life; the need to reflect upon the real meaning of evil and the need to conduct philosophical research.

Keywords: philosophy, freedom, evil, veilleur, éveilleur.

Nicola Abbagnano radically altered his conception of “reason” throughout the three main phases of development of his thought. A) In the early years of his ca­reer, he subscribed to a form of irrationalistic vitalism. B) During his existentialist period, he formulated a positive conception of the notion of existence, thus aban­doning his earlier irrationalistic positions and providing at the same time a ration­alistic interpretation of the main currents of European existentialism (Jaspers and Heidegger, and, later, Sartre). C) Finally, in the later period of “Neoilluminismo” (New-Enlightenment), Abbagnano came to conceive of reason as a “technique” of inquiry. However, such reduction of reason to a formal methodology deter­mined a loss of normative power, at least within the ethical discourse.

Keywords: irrationalism, positive existentialism, “Neoilluminismo”, reason as a technique, philosophy as a method.

The article is about a project carried out in the publishing world as part of the internship experience, or “Alternanza scuola-lavoro”. The project had a final out­come, i.e. the realization and publication of a text about philosophical issues, in­tended for primary school children and focused on the Socratic dialogic method. The various phases of its conception, development and presentation are illustrat­ed here. A reflection is also offered on positive aspects and critical issues pertain­ing to both the classroom experience and “Alternanza scuola-lavoro” in relation to the main changes introduced by law no. 107/13 of July 2015.

Keywords: complementarity, skills, methodological innovation, Socratic dialogue, creativity.