Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide a wide overview about medieval philosophy, as seen both in its historic development from the 5th to the 14th century, as well as in its main subjects, such as logics, metaphysics, theology, ethics, aesthetics, physics, and politics.

Program

Pre-requirements: A certain degree of knowledge about ancient Greek philosophy, especially Plato’s and Aristotle’s; also valuable, though not strictly necessary, the knowledge of Latin.

Program of the course: The course will address the main moral theories developed during the 12th century in the three great intellectual milieux of the time: the christian, the jewish and the islamic one. We will focus in particular on the thought of Abelard, Maimonides, and al-Ghazali, different voices within a common philosophical tradition that brought about some essential characteristics of the later Western identity.

Texts of the course:
Italo Sciuto, L’etica nel Medioevo, Einaudi, Torino 2007 (capitoli V-VI);
Abelardo, Etica, Bruno Mondadori;
Maimonide, Gli Otto Capitoli, Giuntina;
Avicenna, Metafisica, Trattato X, Utet;
Al-Ghazali, La bilancia dell’azione, Utet.

Method of teaching: Classroom lessons, seminars, and reading of the texts of the authors.

Examination Methods

A short paper on a topic that must have been previously agreed on with the teacher, and an oral examination of the texts listed in the program.