Teaching consists of guided reading, with in-depth exegetical, philosophical and linguistic commentary, of one or more ancient Greek or Latin texts of particular relevance within the history of Greek or Latin philosophical and scientific thought.
The teaching of History of Ancient Thought aims to acquire knowledge of a specialist theme in the history of philosophy and Greek and Latin culture, which is explored in depth through the reading of one or more ancient texts, introduced and commented on. The objective of the course is also the acquisition of a scientific research method starting from the texts themselves, interrogated from the point of view of the lexicon, the argumentative structures and the historical-cultural context from which they originate, with essential references to selected secondary literature .
A particular moment/topic of the history of western ancient philosophy and science will be explored, reading and commenting the original sources. Texts will be discussed in their historical context, in order to acquire a scientific method of analysis, through the use of "lexica" and biblographical data base. Students are expected to reach a solid and non-conventional knowledge of the history of ancient thought.
Basic knowledge of Greek and Latin thought from the 7th century BC to the 6th century AD. Knowledge of the Greek alphabet. Mastery of the vocabulary of the philosophy of Greek and Roman antiquity. Ability to communicate orally and in writing, with properties of language and argumentative effectiveness, on moments and themes of Greek and Latin philosophy, science and culture.
Lectures
The course will focus on the foundational concepts of Aristotle's Physics, which will be illustrated by reading and commenting on parts of Books I and II of the Physics. These concepts will also be examined through a comparison with the conceptions of earlier thinkers (pre-Socratic tradition and Platonic philosophy). Terminological, linguistic and textual issues of particular interest from a philosophical and exegetical point of view will also be addressed during the lectures.
Core texts of the course:
– Aristotele, Fisica, ed. by R. Radice, Bompiani, Milano 2011.
– M Vegetti – F. Ademollo, Incontro con Aristotele. Quindici lezioni, Piccola Biblioteca Einaudi, Torino, 2016.
– Platone, Il Timeo, a cura di F.M. Petrucci. Introduzione di F. Ferrari, Fondazione Lorenzo Valla/Mondadori, Milano 2022.
Suggested readings:
– Aristotele. I principi del divenire. Libro Primo della Fisica, a cura di Emanuele Severino, La Scuola, Brescia 1995.
—W. Wieland, La fisica di Aristotele, Il Mulino, Bologna 1993.
Ricevimento: Students are requested to contact the teacher by e-mail to make an appointment.
MICHELE ABBATE (President)
SIMONA LANGELLA
MARCO DAMONTE (Substitute)
FEDERICO ZUOLO (Substitute)
17th February 2025
Interview
Students are expected to show their preparation by answering questions on each part of the course programme.
Particular importance will be given to the student's skill in formulating personal considerations and connections supported by reference to the texts examined.
