OVERVIEW

The course is intended to go deep into the history of Western philosophy in the centuries VII-VI b.C-VI a.D. Particular attention will be paid to the sources for the reconstruction of this history. Students are expected to follow the development of a philosophical problem though 2 or 3 representative ancient philosophical works, which will be analyzed and commented.   

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge of the history of ancient thought (VII-VI b.C-VI century a.D.) aquired by analyzing and commenting some fundamental works written by Greek and Latin philosophers (Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Potinus...); their works will be read translated into Italian, with reference to the original Greek or Latin text.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

1) Knowledge and Understanding. Knowledge of the most important periods and figures of the history of western ancient philosophy (VII b.C.-VI a.D.). Understanding the vocabulary, the argumentative structures and the cultural context of the main philosophical texts of greek-roman Antiquity.

2) Applying Knowledge and Understanding. Knowing how to read and explain ancient philosophical texts from an historical and a philosophical point of view.

3) Making Judgements. Aquiring critical consciousness through the dialogue with philosophical texts belonging to the past.

4) Communication Skills. Extending one’s own philosophical vocabulary, abstractive capacities and argumentative skills, in relation to the different contexts of discussion.

5) Learning Skills. Learning the fudamental outlines of the History of Ancient Philosophy (requested for attending MA-courses in the field of Philosophy, History and Literature).

PREREQUISITES

It's advisable, but not compulsory, to have a general overwiew of the history of ancient western philosophy and to recognize ancient Greek characters.

TEACHING METHODS

Full Program (9 CFU):

-Lessons

-Seminars

Reduced Program (6 CFU):

-Lessons

-Seminars

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Full Program (9 CFU):

1. What is Ancient Philosophy? Sources, Outlines and Main Questions of the History of Western Philosophy from the Origins to Plotinus.

2. What is Number? Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus.

Reduced Program (6 CFU):

1. What is Ancient Philosophy? Sources, Outlines and Main Questions of the History of Western Philosophy from the Origins to Plotinus.

2. What is the Number? Plato vs. Aristotle.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Full Program (9 CFU):

• 1. M. BONAZZI, R.L. CARDULLO, G. CASERTANO, E. SPINELLI. F. TRABATTONI, Filosofia Antica, Cortina, Milano 2005 (da Talete a Socrate, pp. 13-112; da Platone a Crisippo, pp. 123-278; Plotino, pp. 365-384).
• 2.a. PLATONE, La Repubblica, a cura di M. VEGETTI, BUR, Milano 2007 (Book VII).
• 2.b. ARISTOTELE, La Metafisica, a cura di G. Reale, Milano, Bompiani 2000, con testo greco a fronte (Libro XIII, 1-3; 6-8)
• 2.c. PLOTINO, Enneadi, Traduzione di R. RADICE, Saggio introduttivo, prefazioni e note a cura di G. REALE, Mondadori, Milano 2002, Enneade VI 6 [34].
• 2.d. E. CATTANEI, Numero, Unicopli, Milano («Questioni di Filosofia antica»), in press

Reduced Program (6 CFU):

• 1. M. BONAZZI, R.L. CARDULLO, G. CASERTANO, E. SPINELLI. F. TRABATTONI, Filosofia Antica, Cortina, Milano 2005 (da Talete a Socrate, pp. 13-112; da Platone a Crisippo, pp. 123-278; Plotino, pp. 365-384).
• 2.a. PLATONE, La Repubblica, a cura di M. VEGETTI, BUR, Milano 2007 (Book VII).
• 2.b. ARISTOTELE, La Metafisica, a cura di G. Reale, Milano, Bompiani 2000, con testo greco a fronte (Libro XIII, 1-3; 6-8)
• 2.c. E. CATTANEI, Numero, Unicopli, Milano («Questioni di Filosofia antica») (up to Aristotle), in press

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ELISABETTA CATTANEI (President)

LETTERIO MAURO

MARCO DAMONTE (Substitute)

SIMONA LANGELLA (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

16.02.2021

Class schedule

HISTORY OF ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Interview.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Ongoing (generally written) test on part (1) of the program. Interview on part (2) of the program: proof of reading and comment of the texts. Interested students can held the interview in the form a proof of translation from ancient Greek into a modern language (Italian, English, German, French, Spanish).

Exam schedule