Learning objectives
The course aims to complete students’ acquaintance with Medieval Philosophy through the direct inspection of medieval writings, together with the evaluation of the specialized literature and the reconstruction of the historiographical debates. In particular, the course aims to make students familiar with the reading of medieval texts and to enable them setting correctly such works in their historical and doctrinal contexts. The course finally aims to enable students following the evolution of philosophical doctrines from Antiquity to the Modern Age.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of a university level handbook of the history of medieval philosophy is required. Furthermore, the knowledge of Latin is required, and a good knowledge of ancient philosophy is recommended.
Course unit content
Subject: The Medieval Reception of Aristotle's "Metaphysics".<br />
Summary: The theme of the course is the reception of Aristotle's "Metaphysics" in the Middles Ages. The course will especially focus on the central books of Aristotle's work, from VII to IX: it will reconstruct Aristotle's metaphysical theory of substance and its most important medieval interpretations (Averroes, Avicenna, Thomas Aquinas, John Duns Scotus). <br />
Full programme
- - -
Bibliography
Aristotle, Metafisica, a cura di G. Reale, Bompiani, Milano 2004; G. Reale, Guida alla lettura della Metafisica di Aristotele, Laterza, Bari-Roma 2007; G. Galluzzo-M. Mariani, Aristotle’s Metaphysics Book Z: The Contemporary Debate, Edizioni della Normale, Pisa 2006; J.F. Wippel, The Metaphysical Thought of Thomas Aquinas, The Catholic University of America Press, Washington D.C. 2000; Thomas de Aquino, In XII Libros Metaphysicorum Aristotelis Expositio, Marietti, Torino-Roma 1964 (trad. it. a cura di L. Perotto, EDS, Bologna 2005, vol. 2). Additional material will be indicated during the lessons.<br />
Teaching methods
The course is characterized by oral lessons and tutorials. It is required that students take part in both the reading of texts and the discussion of secondary literature. Evaluation of students issues, besides from the oral exam, from the active participation to lessons and tutorials. Furthermore, at the end of the course students are called to write a paper on one of the texts covered during the course.
Assessment methods and criteria
- - -
Other information
- - -
