OVERVIEW

The course offers an overview of medieval philosophy from its origins to the crisis of Scholasticism, by analyzing different schools and authors and, by referring constantly to texts and by analyzing the context of philosophical themes and works.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Outlining the development of philosophical thought from the last manifestations of the Patristics (Augustine, Boethius) until the 14th century, with particular regard to Christian thinkers, without neglecting the lines of Arab and Jewish thought. Commeting some of the fundamental work (in translation) of the Scholasticism thinkers, with possible references to the original texts.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Having a good grasp of the authors, currents, texts and themes that are relevant in the history of medieval philosophy.
Being able to read and comment some major works of medieval philosophy.

To understand and analyze the fundamental philosophical and theological issues in medieval anthropological reflection on the nature of the human intellect, the possibility of rationally arguing for the separation of the human soul from the body and its immortality, in response to the various theses of radical Aristotelianism on the matter, starting from an examination of Albert of Cologne's De unitate intellectus contra Averroistas.

PREREQUISITES

To know basic livel of history of philosophy, in particular of ancient and medieval history of philosophy.

TEACHING METHODS

Unless otherwise specified by academic Authorities, frontal lesson, eventually - in agreement with theacher - by Microsoft Teams, cod.: 6z2ilqd.

Frontal lesson, reading and commenting on texts.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Contents for students who are taking the 6-CFU course

_Notions of history of medieval philosophy.
_Reading and commentary of some major works of medieval philosophy.

Contents for students who are taking the 9-CFU course

_Notions of history of medieval philosophy.
_Reading and commentary of some major works of medieval philosophy.
_Philosophy, theology, metaphysics and psychology tested on the unity of the human intellect, the separation of the soul from the body, and its immortality: introduction, reading, and commentary on Albert of Cologne's De unitate intellectus contra Averroistas.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Reccomended reading/bibliography for students who are taking the 6-CFU course

_M. Pereira, La filosofia nel Medioevo. Secoli VI-XV, Carocci, Roma 2008; or: M. Marianelli - L. Mauro - M. Moschini - G. D'Anna (a cura di), Anima, corpo, relazioni. Storia della filosofia da una prospettiva antropologica, vol. 1. periodo antico e medievale, Città Nuova (IDEE / filosofia nuova serie, 173), pp. 361-576.
_ Filosofia medievale, a cura di M. Bettetini - L. Bianchi - C. Marmo - P. Porro, Cortina, Milano 2004.

Reccomended reading/bibliography for students who are taking the 9-CFU course

_M. Pereira, La filosofia nel Medioevo. Secoli VI-XV, Carocci, Roma 2008; or: M. Marianelli - L. Mauro - M. Moschini - G. D'Anna (a cura di), Anima, corpo, relazioni. Storia della filosofia da una prospettiva antropologica, vol. 1. periodo antico e medievale, Città Nuova (IDEE / filosofia nuova serie, 173), pp. 361-576; or: É. Gilson, La filosofia nel medioevo. Dalle origini patristiche alla fine del XIV secolo, La Nuova Italia, Firenze 1997.
_ Filosofia medievale, a cura di M. Bettetini - L. Bianchi - C. Marmo - P. Porro, Cortina, Milano 2004.

_Alberto Magno, L'unità dell'intelletto, a cura di A. Rodolfi, Bompiani, Milano 2007.

Additionally for students who do not attend in person:

_ J. Jolivet, La teologia degli Arabi, (Eredità medievale, 01/19) Jaca Book, Milano 2001.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

On Monday 15 September 2025

Class schedule

HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For students attending lessons in presence:

The examination for 9 cfu covers three parts:

1. Nine chapters, choosen by studentfrom phylosophical anthology (Filosofia medievale, a cura di M. Bettetini – L. Bianchi – C. Marmo – P. Porro, Cortina, Milano 2004).
2. At least one general question from the manual (M. Pereira, La filosofia nel Medioevo. Secoli VI-XV, Carocci, Roma 2008; or: M. Marianelli - L. Mauro - M. Moschini - G. D'Anna [a cura di], Anima, corpo, relazioni. Storia della filosofia da una prospettiva antropologica, vol. 1. periodo antico e medievale, Città Nuova [IDEE / filosofia nuova serie, 173], pp. 361-576; or: É. Gilson, La filosofia nel medioevo. Dalle origini patristiche alla fine del XIV secolo, La Nuova Italia, Firenze 1997; or another manual agreed with teacher).
3. Discussion around: Albert of Cologne'De unitate intellectus contra Averroistas. 

The examination for 6 cfu covers three parts:

1. Six chapters, choosen by student from phylosophical anthology (Filosofia medievale, a cura di M. Bettetini – L. Bianchi – C. Marmo – P. Porro, Cortina, Milano 2004).
2. At least one general question from the manual (M. Pereira, La filosofia nel Medioevo. Secoli VI-XV, Carocci, Roma 2008; or: M. Marianelli - L. Mauro - M. Moschini - G. D'Anna [a cura di], Anima, corpo, relazioni. Storia della filosofia da una prospettiva antropologica, vol. 1. periodo antico e medievale, Città Nuova [IDEE / filosofia nuova serie, 173], pp. 361-576; or another manual agreed with teacher).

For all students NON attending lessons in presence:

The examination for 9 cfu covers three parts:

1. Twelve chapters, choosen by studentfrom phylosophical anthology (Filosofia medievale, a cura di M. Bettetini – L. Bianchi – C. Marmo – P. Porro, Cortina, Milano 2004).
2. At least two general question from the manual (M. Pereira, La filosofia nel Medioevo. Secoli VI-XV, Carocci, Roma 2008; or: M. Marianelli - L. Mauro - M. Moschini - G. D'Anna [a cura di], Anima, corpo, relazioni. Storia della filosofia da una prospettiva antropologica, vol. 1. periodo antico e medievale, Città Nuova [IDEE / filosofia nuova serie, 173], pp. 361-576; or: É. Gilson, La filosofia nel medioevo. Dalle origini patristiche alla fine del XIV secolo, La Nuova Italia, Firenze 1997; or another manual agreed with teacher).
3. Discussion around: Albert of Cologne'De unitate intellectus contra Averroistas and a question on the essay by J. Jolivet, La teologia degli Arabi, (Eredità medievale, 01/19) Jaca Book, Milano 2001.

The examination for 6 cfu covers three parts:

1. Nine chapters, choosen by student from phylosophical anthology (Filosofia medievale, a cura di M. Bettetini – L. Bianchi – C. Marmo – P. Porro, Cortina, Milano 2004).
2. At least two general question from the manual (M. Pereira, La filosofia nel Medioevo. Secoli VI-XV, Carocci, Roma 2008; or: M. Marianelli - L. Mauro - M. Moschini - G. D'Anna [a cura di], Anima, corpo, relazioni. Storia della filosofia da una prospettiva antropologica, vol. 1. periodo antico e medievale, Città Nuova [IDEE / filosofia nuova serie, 173], pp. 361-576; or another manual agreed with teacher).

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who cannot attend lessons are invited to contact the theacher at reception, eventually by Microsoft Teams, code: 6z2ilqd, booking the appointment by e-mail (matteo.zoppi01@edu.unige.it).