Learning objectives
The course aims to consolidate and deepen:
1: the following knowledge and understanding (1st Dublin descriptor):
(a) in-depth knowledge of authors and relevant themes in the history of philosophical texts from ancient, medieval and modern times;
(b) ability to read, analyze and critically interpret some classic texts from the history of philosophy, both in the original language (Latin) and in translation into modern languages;
(c) knowledge of the logical and philosophical technical terminology necessary for the interpretation of the texts;
(d) knowledge of the main interpretative positions in the contemporary debate, and knowledge of some contemporary debates in the fields of the history of philosophy that may be relevant for the interpretation of the authors.
2: the following skills in applying the knowledge acquired (2nd Dublin descriptor):
(a) ability to recognize the structure and know how to reformulate different types of logical and philosophical arguments, ability to criticize such arguments and argue one's criticism in a debate;
(b) ability to develop one's knowledge through oral and written reports and tests, through philosophical argumentation and based on historically documented reference to ancient and medieval texts, in their original version (primary literature) and in their different modern interpretations (literature secondary);
(c) ability to recognize the theoretical and conceptual connections between the history of philosophy and the history of the philosophical text.
3-4-5: The following knowledge and skills in judgment, communication and continuous learning
3rd, 4th and 5th Dublin descriptors):
(a) ability to analyze and criticize a philosophy text, both from a historical and philosophical point of view;
(b) ability to take a critical attitude towards the text and report one's analysis in oral and written form, through debates and by drafting short written reports;
(c) ability to interact on a philosophical level with teachers and colleagues, in Italian and English, through guided reading of texts, through questions and debates during lesson hours; through any group work aimed at drafting written reports.
Prerequisites
Attendance of the course is open to all students and there are no prerequisites.
Course unit content
Title: “The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius. 1500 years of philosophical history”
Around 524, the philosopher Severino Boethius, during a period of imprisonment and awaiting his death sentence, composed a book that was destined to change the history of philosophical thought: the "De Consolatione Philosophiae". For 1500 years, this text has been transcribed, copied, commented on and debated in multiple philosophical traditions, not only the Latin one, but also the Byzantine, Arabic and Jewish ones. In De Consolatione, Boethius addresses many themes dear to him, and in the discussion of which he intertwines his many philosophical inspirations (Aristotle, Plato, Stoic philosophy): freedom and free will, divine providence and its relationship with destiny and luck, happiness and bliss as the goal of human life, the existence of evil. In addition to being a philosophical masterpiece, the text has also been considered a poetic and literary masterpiece.
During the course, we will read and comment on Boethius' text and we will follow the very long "philosophical life" of this text by following the revival of some of the themes contained in it by authors of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the modern period. Furthermore, we will also study the "material life" of Boethius' text by investigating its manuscript tradition and circulation, analyzing some copies of the medieval and Renaissance manuscripts that contain the text and some of the splendid illuminated images that accompany Boethius' text.
Full programme
Title: “The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius. 1500 years of philosophical history”
Around 524, the philosopher Severino Boethius, during a period of imprisonment and awaiting his death sentence, composed a book that was destined to change the history of philosophical thought: the "De Consolatione Philosophiae". For 1500 years, this text has been transcribed, copied, commented on and debated in multiple philosophical traditions, not only the Latin one, but also the Byzantine, Arabic and Jewish ones. In De Consolatione, Boethius addresses many themes dear to him, and in the discussion of which he intertwines his many philosophical inspirations (Aristotle, Plato, Stoic philosophy): freedom and free will, divine providence and its relationship with destiny and luck, happiness and bliss as the goal of human life, the existence of evil. In addition to being a philosophical masterpiece, the text has also been considered a poetic and literary masterpiece.
During the course, we will read and comment on Boethius' text and we will follow the very long "philosophical life" of this text by following the revival of some of the themes contained in it by authors of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the modern period. Furthermore, we will also study the "material life" of Boethius' text by investigating its manuscript tradition and circulation, analyzing some copies of the medieval and Renaissance manuscripts that contain the text and some of the splendid illuminated images that accompany Boethius' text.
Bibliography
The exam texts are as follows:
Moreschini, The consolation of philosophy, edited by Claudio Moreschini, Collezione Classici Latini, Turin, UTET, 1994, ISBN 88-02-04825-8; The Great Library of Latin and Greek Classics, Milan, Centauria, 2015.
Donatus, Boethius. A late antique thinker and his world. Arrows, Carocci, 2021. ISBN 9788829004980.
All further readings will be communicated during the course and made available by the teacher on ELLY.
Any teaching material used or distributed during the lessons will be uploaded to the ELLY platform, under the course heading. Students and non-attending students are invited to contact the teacher to define the exam program.
Teaching methods
During the course, we will read together the philosophical texts covered by the course, trying to derive from the reading the different theories advanced by their authors and to relate these theories to the historical context in which they were developed. Both in reading and in the interpretation and discussion of texts, the active participation of the whole class and continuous interaction between teacher and students are required.
Two educational trips are planned to archives and libraries in the national territory to view some manuscripts from the medieval and Renaissance era in person.
The lessons will take place in person, but will be video-recorded and the links to access the video recordings will be made available on the ELLY platform, on the course page.
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam consists in the drafting of a short written paper (about 10-12 pages, written in English or Italian) in which the student must demonstrate his / her ability to formulate and discuss a specific logical / philosophical problem (related to the theme of the course), to reconstruct the theoretical position of a particular author and place it in the historical context of origin. The oral part of the exam consists of a discussion based on the essay.
Other information
Two or three exam sessions are scheduled per exam session, as per the official calendar.
The exam will consist of the presentation of the written report by the student and its discussion. The methods of drafting the written report must be agreed with the teacher.
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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