12362 - History of Ancient Philosophy (1)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has acquired (1) an essential knowledge of the history of ancient philosophy from its origins up to the 4th century BC and (2) three types of skills: (a) philological – he/she knows how to analyze an ancient text using the basic philological tools needed for the study of Greek philosophy; (b) dialectical – he/she is trained to discuss a philosophical problem in a synchronic way; (c) rhetorical – he/she is capable of arguing exegetical theses in oral and / or written form.

Course contents

The invention of philosophy: an introduction to Greek thought

By analyzing and discussing the most important texts and fragments, in this course we will reconstruct ancient philosophy in its historical development. This will also offer the opportunity to reflect on the several meanings of the notion itself of philosophy.

Readings/Bibliography

1. Filosofia antica, Milano, Cortina
2. One of the followings books:

J. Warren, I presocratici, Torino, Einaudi

M. Bonazzi, I sofisti, Roma, Carocci

F. Trabattoni, Platone, Roma, Carocci (N.B. collana ‘Pensatori’, pp. 220)

M. Vegetti, Platone. Quindici lezioni, Torino, Einaudi

M. Vegetti – F. Ademollo, Incontro con Aristotele, Torino, Einaudi

R. Chiaradonna, Plotino, Roma, Carocci

Students who cannot attend classes will prepare the exam on the following texts:

1. F. Trabattoni, Filosofia antica. Profilo storico-critico, Carocci
2. One of the followings books:

   J. Warren, I presocratici, Torino, Einaudi

   M. Bonazzi, I sofisti, Roma, Carocci

   F. Trabattoni, Platone, Roma, Carocci (N.B. collana ‘Pensatori’, pp. 220)

   M. Vegetti, Platone. Quindici lezioni, Torino, Einaudi

   M. Vegetti – F. Ademollo, Incontro con Aristotele, Torino, Einaudi

   R. Chiaradonna, Plotino, Roma, Carocci

3. Platone, Menone, Torino, Einaudi (or Milano, Bur)

Teaching methods

lectures

Assessment methods

Oral examination

Criteria

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 Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders are entitled to special adjustments according to their condition, subject to assessment by the University Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact teachers or Department staff, but make an appointment with the Service. The Service will then determine what adjustments are specifically appropriate, and get in touch with the teacher. For more information, please 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.

Office hours

See the website of Mauro Bonazzi