The course of History of ancient philosophy is part of the program in Philosophy (BA level) and is included among the characterising training activities.
The objective of the course is to provide knowledge of the basic issues of ancient philosophy (philosophical debates, historical and intellectual background). Students will read through one of Plato’s dialogues or one of Aristotle’s treatises and they will focus on the basic issues and debates connected to it.
Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to discuss and to develop arguments both in a theorical and in a historical perspective.
Upon completion of the course students are expected to acquire the following skills:
Critical thinking on ancient philosophy and on its relation to wider issues (both historical and philosophical);
Language and argumentation skills required for reading ancient philosophy and discussing about it;
Basic capacity to read and analyse ancient philosophical sources (in translation).
The objective of the course is to provide knowledge of the basic issues of ancient philosophy (philosophical debates, historical and intellectual background). Students will read through one of Plato’s dialogues or one of Aristotle’s treatises and they will focus on the basic issues and debates connected to it.
Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to discuss and to develop arguments both in a theorical and in a historical perspective.
Upon completion of the course students are expected to acquire the following skills:
Critical thinking on ancient philosophy and on its relation to wider issues (both historical and philosophical);
Language and argumentation skills required for reading ancient philosophy and discussing about it;
Basic capacity to read and analyse ancient philosophical sources (in translation).
teacher profile teaching materials
Socrates' Intellectualism and Theory of Agency.
The A Course Module will be held during the first part the semester (6 weeks) and will focus on the following issues:
Socrates' intellectualism and the philosophical debate in the 5th century BC.
Elenchos and the method of inquiry.
The Socratic Paradoxes.
B Course Module:
The divided Self in Plato's Republic
The B Course Module will be held during the second part of the semester (6 weeks) and will focus on the following issues:
Plato's doctrine of the tripartite soul.
Plato's theory of agency and motivation.
Socratic and Platonic rationalism.
[1] B. Centrone, Prima lezione di filosofia antica, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2015
R.Chiaradonna e P. Pecere, Vivere la Conoscenza, Mondadori Education, Milano, 2022, Volume 1A: Dalle origini ad Aristotele
R. Chiaradonna, Platonismo, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2017
[2] Platone, Platone, Eutifrone, Apologia di Socrate, Critone, a cura di B. Centrone e A. Taglia, Torino, Einaudi 2010, pp. 99-291
M. Bonazzi, Atene, la città inquieta, Einaudi, Torino 2017
[3] Students are required to prepare a written paper in Italian (2.500 words) about the texts listed at point [1].
B Course Module
[1] B. Centrone, Prima lezione di filosofia antica, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2015
R.Chiaradonna e P. Pecere, Vivere la Conoscenza, Mondadori Education, Milano, 2022, Volume 1A
R. Chiaradonna, Platonismo, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2017
[2] Platone, La Repubblica, a cura di M. Vegetti, Rizzoli, Milano 2006, pp. 536-629 and pp. 1014-1091 (Book IV and Book IX)
F. Ferrari, La Repubblica di Platone, Il Mulino, Bologna 2022
F. Trabattoni, Platone, Carocci, Roma 2009 ("I Pensatori")
[3] Students are required to prepare a written paper in Italian (2.500 words) about the texts listed at point [1].
Programme
A Course Module:Socrates' Intellectualism and Theory of Agency.
The A Course Module will be held during the first part the semester (6 weeks) and will focus on the following issues:
Socrates' intellectualism and the philosophical debate in the 5th century BC.
Elenchos and the method of inquiry.
The Socratic Paradoxes.
B Course Module:
The divided Self in Plato's Republic
The B Course Module will be held during the second part of the semester (6 weeks) and will focus on the following issues:
Plato's doctrine of the tripartite soul.
Plato's theory of agency and motivation.
Socratic and Platonic rationalism.
Core Documentation
A Course Module[1] B. Centrone, Prima lezione di filosofia antica, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2015
R.Chiaradonna e P. Pecere, Vivere la Conoscenza, Mondadori Education, Milano, 2022, Volume 1A: Dalle origini ad Aristotele
R. Chiaradonna, Platonismo, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2017
[2] Platone, Platone, Eutifrone, Apologia di Socrate, Critone, a cura di B. Centrone e A. Taglia, Torino, Einaudi 2010, pp. 99-291
M. Bonazzi, Atene, la città inquieta, Einaudi, Torino 2017
[3] Students are required to prepare a written paper in Italian (2.500 words) about the texts listed at point [1].
B Course Module
[1] B. Centrone, Prima lezione di filosofia antica, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2015
R.Chiaradonna e P. Pecere, Vivere la Conoscenza, Mondadori Education, Milano, 2022, Volume 1A
R. Chiaradonna, Platonismo, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2017
[2] Platone, La Repubblica, a cura di M. Vegetti, Rizzoli, Milano 2006, pp. 536-629 and pp. 1014-1091 (Book IV and Book IX)
F. Ferrari, La Repubblica di Platone, Il Mulino, Bologna 2022
F. Trabattoni, Platone, Carocci, Roma 2009 ("I Pensatori")
[3] Students are required to prepare a written paper in Italian (2.500 words) about the texts listed at point [1].
Type of delivery of the course
The course includes: Lectures Seminars and debates with students Class attendance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended.Type of evaluation
Assessment of learning outcomes is done through an oral exam. Students are required to prepare a written paper (2500 words) in Italian about the texts listed at point [a]. The paper will be the subject of a detailed discussion during the oral examination. Assessment: Paper 40% (criteria to be considered: knowledge and understanding of the texts and of the issues addressed; argumentation and synthesis; language and editing) Colloquium 60%.