OVERVIEW

This course offers a guided reading of a major ancient Greek philosophical text, selected for its historical and theoretical significance. The reading is accompanied by rigorous philological, exegetical, and philosophical analysis, as well as a detailed linguistic commentary focusing on grammatical, morphological, and syntactical aspects of the original language.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching "Language and Interpretation of Greek Philosophical Texts" aims to develop scientific methodologies for the philosophical, philological, and linguistic exegesis of philosophical texts in ancient Greek through their commented translation and detailed textual-content analysis. The teaching thus aims to guide students in acquiring a scientific research method derived from reading philosophical works in their original language, with a focus on lexical, morphological, and syntactic issues, in order to deeply understand the structures and argumentative strategies present in the texts under examination. Essential references to secondary literature will also be provided.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Knowledge and Understanding:
  Develop the ability to analyze and comment on ancient philosophical texts from both exegetical and philosophical perspectives, with particular attention to the argumentative and philosophical strategies employed, as well as their lexical and conceptual structures.
• Applying Knowledge and Understanding:
  Develop the ability to interpret and comment on ancient philosophical texts, both in terms of historical reconstruction and critical engagement with the philosophical issues they raise.
• Critical Thinking and Judgment:
  Cultivate a critical awareness through close engagement with texts of the ancient philosophical tradition.
• Communication Skills:
  Formulate and present original interpretations of complex texts, supported by direct textual evidence.
• Learning Skills:
  Acquire the ability to understand and interpret complex and articulated texts, particularly in relation to their specific argumentative strategies.

   

PREREQUISITES

A knowledge of the fundamentals of Ancient Greek is required.

TEACHING METHODS

Throughout the lectures, following an introduction to the fundamental aspects of Aristotelian thought, the text in question will be translated, commented on, and analyzed from both a linguistic and a philosophical perspective.

Although attendance is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended. Those who are unable to attend are kindly asked to contact the lecturer via email in order to arrange a suitable program for non-attending students.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course programme focuses on the translation, linguistic analysis, and philosophical exegesis of Book I of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, with particular attention to the nature of Aristotle’s ethical theory, grounded in rationality and in the concept of eudaimonia. Special emphasis will be placed on the relationship between lexical choices and ethical reflection.

The first lectures will be devoted to a general introduction to Aristotelian thought, with specific reference to the nature of the practical sciences. In the subsequent lectures, the text under examination will be translated and commented upon from linguistic, philological, and philosophical–exegetical perspectives.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Course Texts:

– Aristotele, Etica Nicomachea, Libro I: any edition with facing-page translation. The translation by C. Natali (Etica Nicomachea, Laterza, 1999; reprinted several times) is recommended.
– I. Yarza, La razionalità dell'etica di Aristotele. Uno studio su Etica Nicomachea I, Armando Editore, 2001.
– M. Vegetti – F. Ademollo, Incontro con Aristotele. Quindici lezioni, Einaudi, 2016.

Further bibliographical references for in-depth study will be provided during the course.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Second semester

https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/11268/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination consists of an oral interview concerning the topics covered during the course.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Students will be expected to demonstrate their knowledge by responding to questions pertaining to the course content. The examination will also include oral translation and analysis of selected passages previously translated and discussed during the course.

Special emphasis will be placed on the students’ ability to formulate personal insights, substantiated by references to the texts examined.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information, students may contact Prof. Abbate directly via email.