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

The course consists of 40 hours of in-person lectures. Following an introduction to key aspects of Platonic thought, the dialogue under consideration will be translated, commented on, and analyzed from both a lingustical and philosophical perspective. 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.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

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.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

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.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

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 will take the form of an oral interview and will focus on the topics discussed 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 the professor directly via email.