History of Ancient Philosophy (MA)
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the necessary tools to read, understand, and critically discuss texts and periods in the history of ancient philosophy, from its origins to late antiquity. For this reason, in addition to the texts of the authors, the course will give ample space to the international critical debate on the topics covered.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify and understand in an advanced manner the different philosophical schools, key concepts, technical vocabulary, and historical contexts in which they emerged.
- Critically analyze ancient sources, also in light of the international debate.
- Independently grasp implicit meanings, polemical references, and conceptual nuances present in ancient philosophical texts.
- Critically compare philosophers' positions on the fundamental problems of ancient philosophy, taking a conscious stance in the scientific debate.
- Proficiently recognize the methodological tools and bibliographic resources specific to research on ancient philosophy.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Independently and critically apply the concepts learned during the course to the analysis of complex philosophical texts from different periods.
- Contextualize texts and problems, demonstrating advanced knowledge of them.
- Write a paper on the topics covered during the course, fully complying with editorial standards.
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify and understand in an advanced manner the different philosophical schools, key concepts, technical vocabulary, and historical contexts in which they emerged.
- Critically analyze ancient sources, also in light of the international debate.
- Independently grasp implicit meanings, polemical references, and conceptual nuances present in ancient philosophical texts.
- Critically compare philosophers' positions on the fundamental problems of ancient philosophy, taking a conscious stance in the scientific debate.
- Proficiently recognize the methodological tools and bibliographic resources specific to research on ancient philosophy.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Independently and critically apply the concepts learned during the course to the analysis of complex philosophical texts from different periods.
- Contextualize texts and problems, demonstrating advanced knowledge of them.
- Write a paper on the topics covered during the course, fully complying with editorial standards.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The relationship between the good life, fate, pleasure, and time is central to the moral reflection of ancient Greek and Latin authors. The course aims to explore some of the most significant stages of ancient thought on these themes: early Greek wisdom ("Presocratics"), Plato (early dialogues, Gorgias, Republic, Philebus), Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics), Hellenistic philosophies (especially Epicureanism and Stoicism), Seneca (On the Brevity of Life, Letters to Lucilius, On the Happy Life, On Tranquility of Mind, On Leisure, On Providence), Cicero (On Ends, On Old Age, On Fate), Epictetus (Handbook), Alexander of Aphrodisias (On Fate), and Plotinus (Enneads I.4 and I.5). The texts will be contextualized and read in Italian translation, in whole or in part, with a focus on the course's central theme.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites, except those established by the Degree Program Regulations.
Teaching methods
Lecture-based teaching
Seminars with national and international experts
Flipped classroom (presentations)
Seminars with national and international experts
Flipped classroom (presentations)
Teaching Resources
The instructor will provide an anthology of texts, made available through the MyAriel platform for the course. No additional exam materials are required.
Non-attending students are requested to contact the instructor at least one month before the exam date, preferably during the course period.
Non-attending students are requested to contact the instructor at least one month before the exam date, preferably during the course period.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is divided into three parts:
a. An in-class presentation, agreed upon with the instructor, possibly in a group, on a topic covered during the lessons;
b. A written paper of approximately four pages to be submitted at least two weeks before the exam date (failure to submit will result in exclusion from the exam);
c. An oral exam on the course syllabus.
The evaluation criteria are as follows:
For the presentation: clarity and structure, communication skills, use and understanding of primary and secondary sources.
For the written paper: clarity in exposition and argumentation, use and understanding of primary and secondary sources, critical thinking.
For the oral exam: knowledge of the course content, ability to connect concepts, provide examples, engage in analytical argumentation, and understanding and explanation of the primary texts discussed in class.
The final grade, expressed on a scale of thirty, will be determined as follows: 60% from the oral exam, 15% from the presentation, and 25% from the written paper.
a. An in-class presentation, agreed upon with the instructor, possibly in a group, on a topic covered during the lessons;
b. A written paper of approximately four pages to be submitted at least two weeks before the exam date (failure to submit will result in exclusion from the exam);
c. An oral exam on the course syllabus.
The evaluation criteria are as follows:
For the presentation: clarity and structure, communication skills, use and understanding of primary and secondary sources.
For the written paper: clarity in exposition and argumentation, use and understanding of primary and secondary sources, critical thinking.
For the oral exam: knowledge of the course content, ability to connect concepts, provide examples, engage in analytical argumentation, and understanding and explanation of the primary texts discussed in class.
The final grade, expressed on a scale of thirty, will be determined as follows: 60% from the oral exam, 15% from the presentation, and 25% from the written paper.
M-FIL/07 - HISTORY OF ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Forcignano' Filippo
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)