Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with critical, informed and independent judgment, and to enhance their skills for communication and continue learning (Descriptors III-V of Dublin). In particular, the course aims to provide students with the following abilities of acquiring knowledge and understanding (Descriptor I of Dublin): 1.1) knowledge of the philosophical and scientific thought during the ancient and late ancient period; 1.2) abilities to read and understand the classics of ancient philosophy, both in the original Greek and in Italian translation; 1.3) knowledge of the ancient philosophical vocabulary and the different philosophical methods required for the discussion of topics and the interpretation of texts; 1.4) knowledge of the historiographical methodology of ancient philosophy. The course also aims to provide students with the following abilities to apply the acquired knowledge and understanding (Descriptor II of Dublin): 2.1) writing clear, documented and argument-based papers, by a proper use of the texts of secondary literature and primary sources; 2.2) application of the acquired knowledge in interdisciplinary areas; 2.3) reconstruction of the genesis and development of a concept or a doctrine; 2.4) identification of the connection of ideas between the history of philosophy and other areas of science and philosophy, in particular medieval and modern philosophy; 2.5) reconstruction of cultural contexts with particular attention to the interplay of the different positions that are involved.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
TITLE (TITLE):
Birth and early developments of metaphysical thought.
CONTENT (CONTENTS):
Metaphysics is the noble and essential part of ancient philosophy. It originated in the Eleatic School with Parmenides, and has been subject to expansion and enrichment, especially with Plato and Aristolele, which is considered by many as the very emblem of this discipline and a certain way of putting it over the centuries next. We will start the student to the knowledge of the ancient metaphysical thought, at least until Aristotle, through lectures and readings of significant texts which make out the centrality into the philosophical field. This is mainly in the form B of the course.
While in module A will be carried out some lessons designed to provide a general knowledge of ancient thought, the operating profits of the chosen topic.
Full programme
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Bibliography
REFERENCES (BIBLIOGRAPHY):
PARMENIDE, Poem on the nature ..., greek text to the front, Bompiani Milan, 2003;
PLATO: D. ROSS,Plato's theory of ideas, Il Mulino, Bologna 2001, or: D. PESCE, The doctrine of ideas, lA nUOVA iTALIA, Florence 1998 ff.
A MANUAL, at university level,of the history of ancient philosophy.
REQUIRED READING: F. DE CAPTAINS Manichaean Writings and antimanichaen, Uni.Nova, Parma 2004.
Teaching methods
Lectures, presentations, term papers prepared by individual students or groups and their classroom discussion; eventual vision of bibliographic material preserved in libraries and related to the course; oral exposure of philosophical positions with public debate.
Assessment methods and criteria
Written essays personal oral verification of the levels of learning achieved.
Other information
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