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

_Outline the development of medieval philosophical thought from Augustine of Hippo to William of Ockham, focusing particularly on the following themes: God, humanity, the world, truth, the good, justice, and happiness.

_Read and comment on key texts of medieval philosophy.

_Understand and analyze the fundamental philosophical-theological turning points in Scholastic thought associated with the Franciscan tradition, beginning with an examination of Bonaventure of Bagnoregio’s Itinerarium mentis in Deum.

PREREQUISITES

To know basic level 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 anthropology in the thought of Bonaventure of Bagnoregio: introduction to, and reading and commentary on, Bonaventure of Bagnoregio’s Itinerarium mentis in Deum.

The course aims to provide—alongside the fundamental outlines of the history of medieval philosophy—the philosophical and theological elements necessary to reconstruct and understand the thought of Bonaventure of Bagnoregio regarding God, man, and the world, as well as his impact on the thought of other Scholastic authors of the period, particularly those of the Franciscan school.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

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

_R. Saccenti, Storia della filosofia medievale, Le Monnier/Università, Milano 2026; 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

_ R. Saccenti, Storia della filosofia medievale, Le Monnier/Università, Milano 2026 ; 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.

_Bonaventura da Bagnoregio, Itinerario dell'anima a Dio, a cura di L. Mauro, Bompiani, Milano 2002.

Additionally for students who do not attend in person:

_ F.-X. Putallaz, Figure francescane alla fine del XIII secolo, (Eredità medievale, '96/3) Jaca Book, Milano 1996.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September 15, 2026

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 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 (R. Saccenti, Storia della filosofia medievale, Le Monnier/Università, Milano 2026; or 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).
3. Discussion around: Bonaventure of Bagnoregio’s Itinerarium mentis in Deum.

. 

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 ( R. Saccenti, Storia della filosofia medievale, Le Monnier/Università, Milano 2026; 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 (R. Saccenti, Storia della filosofia medievale, Le Monnier/Università, Milano 2026; 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: Bonaventure of Bagnoregio’s Itinerarium mentis in Deum and a question on the essay by F.-X. Putallaz, Figure francescane alla fine del XIII secolo, (Eredità medievale, '96/3) Jaca Book, Milano 1996.

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 (R. Saccenti, Storia della filosofia medievale, Le Monnier/Università, Milano 2026; 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).