12191 - History of Medieval Philosophy (1)

Learning outcomes

The course introduces to a rich and remarkable period in the history of philosophy, conventionally known as medieval thought.Striking feature is the continous coverage (through the analysis of the notion of translatio studii) of Islamic, Jewish and Christian material and texts.Starting in the late eight century, with renewal of learning, a sequence of themes will takes the students until the end of twelve century through the development in many varied fields of medieval thought including logic and language, natural philosophy, rethorics, ethics and theology. Close attemption is payed to the context of medieval philosophy with discussion of the rise of this particular cultural and theological phaenomenon generally resumed under the name of monastic spirituality and monastic conversational community.

Course contents

Utrum sacra doctrina sit scientia? Philosophy and theology in Thomas Aquinas' Summa theologiae

In the first half of the 13th century, tools and methods of theology changed. Scriptural exegesis was joined by a kind of investigation based on the Aristotelian epistemological principles, which becomes predominant within a few years. This was the natural consequence of that process of translatio studii that allowed the Latin West to come to terms with a philosophy, that of Aristotle, largely unknown, and changed the way of teaching, as much in the Faculty of Arts as, if not above all, in the Faculty of Theology. The simple lectio on scripture gives way to quaestiones with arguments for and against, sometimes focusing on a specific case or particular meaning of a term. In this way, theology qualifies as a true science, and is therefore obliged to adhere to those requirements that Aristotle considers fundamental for 'scientific' knowledge in the Analytica Posteriora. This transformation is the conditio sine qua non for the advent and development of one of the most fruitful seasons of Western Christian theology. There is no shortage of criticism, however, even in the reflections of those theologians who most convincingly promote the combination of sacra doctrina and Aristotelian scientia.

After a first part devoted to a comprehensive introduction to the history of medieval thought, the course will focus on the reading and analysis of some passages of Thomas Aquinas' Summa theologiae.

Summary

Of the 15 lectures (30 hours):

• 7 lectures will be devoted to a general introduction to the history of medieval philosophy. For this purpose, the first point of the bibliography will include the study of a textbook.

• 8 lectures will be devoted to reading and commenting on some passages of Thomas Aquinas' Summa theologiae devoted to the epistemological state of theology (2.1). Reference will also be made to two critical studies (2.2).

Readings/Bibliography

1. Introduction to the history of medieval philosophy

The first part of the course involves the study of the following textbook:

• G. Catapano, Filosofie medievali. Dalla tarda antichità all'Umanesimo, Carocci, Roma 2024 (ISBN:9788829023912), pp. 9-225.

For other textbooks please contact the teacher.

2. Theology as science in Thomas Aquinas' Summa theologiae

The second part of the course is based on the study of some passages of Thomas Aquinas' Summa theologiae (in Italian translation) (2.1) and two critical studies (2.2):

2.1. Text

• Thomas de Aquino, Summa theologiae, I, q. 1 (art. 1-10) (Italian translation will be available on Virtuale)
  
  

2.2. Critical studies

• M.D. Chenu, La teologia come scienza nel XIII secolo, Jaca Book, Milano 1995, pp. 29-50;
  
  
• J.P. Torrell, La scienza teologica secondo Tommaso e i suoi primi discepoli, in: G. D'Onofrio (a cura di), Storia della teologia nel Medioevo, vol. 2: La grande fioritura, Piemme, Casale Monferrato 1996, pp. 849-897.
  
  

For NON-attending students:

The following text is recommended reading:

• P. Porro, Tommaso d'Aquino. Un profilo storico-filosofico, Carocci, Roma 2019.
  

Teaching methods

The course includes a series of introductory lectures and subsequent guided reading of the texts under examination.

Some of the texts listed in the bibliography, as well as any slides, will be made available on Virtual, along with the lecture recording.

Assessment methods

Oral Examination: It is recommended to have the texts with you on the exam.

30 cum laude - Excellent as to knowledge, philosophical lexicon and critical expression.

30 – Excellent: knowledge is complete, well argued and correctly expressed, with some slight faults.

27-29 – Good: thorough and satisfactory knowledge; essentially correct expression.

24-26 - Fairly good: knowledge broadly acquired, and not always correctly expressed.

21-23 – Sufficient: superficial and partial knowledge; exposure and articulation are incomplete and often not sufficiently appropriate

18-20 - Almost sufficient: superficial and decontextualized knowledge. The exposure of the contents shows important gaps.

Exam failed - Students are requested to show up at a subsequent exam session if basic skills and knowledge are not sufficiently acquired and not placed in the historical-philosophical context.

 

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Difficulties (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Difficulties have the right to special adjustments according to their condition, following an assessment by the Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact the instructor but get in touch with the Service directly to schedule an appointment. It will be the responsibility of the Service to determine the appropriate adjustments. For more information, visit the page:

https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students

Teaching tools

Some texts of bibliography and eventual slides shown during the course will be available on Virtuale.

Lectures will be recorded (audio only) and made available to students.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Colli