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.
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.
A knowledge of the fundamentals of Ancient Greek is required.
Throughout the course, following an introduction to the fundamental aspects of Platonic philosophy, the dialogue under consideration will be translated, commented upon, and critically analyzed from both a linguistic and philosophical standpoint. Attendance, while not mandatory, is strongly recommended. Students who attend the lectures in person will be considered attending students. Those unable to attend are kindly asked to contact the lecturer via email to arrange an alternative syllabus for non-attending students.
The course focuses on the linguistic analysis and philosophical interpretation of Timaeus’ speech in Plato’s dialogue Timaeus, with particular emphasis on the relationship between the intelligible realm and the phenomenal world. The first three lectures will provide an introduction to Plato’s thought and the main philosophical and metaphysical issues of the Timaeus, with brief references to the history of its interpretation within the ancient philosophical tradition.
Core Texts:
– Platone, Timeo, a cura di F.M. Petrucci. Introduzione di F. Ferrari, Fondazione Lorenzo Valla/Mondadori, Milan, 2022.
– F. Ferrari, Introduzione a Platone, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2018.
Further bibliographical references for in-depth study will be provided during the course.
Ricevimento: Students are requested to contact the professor by e-mail to make an appointment.
MICHELE ABBATE (President)
SERENA PERRONE
MARCO DAMONTE (Substitute)
The week starting February 9, 2026.
Please also refer to the link:
https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/11268/studenti-orario
The examination consists of an oral interview concerning the topics covered during the course.
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.
For further information, students may contact Prof. Abbate directly via email.
