Learning outcomes

Pedagogical aims and prerequisites:
We aim at teaching the use of the proper philosophical terminology (nearly all deriving from the ancient Greek) and the critical reading of original philosophical texts, in order to acquire basic philosophical matters and concepts. Also, through seminars and debates, we aim at making postgraduates to acquire a skill to cross-examination. Moreover some instruments for bibliographical researches will be provided, useful for writing the final Thesis.
A general knowledge of the history of ancient philosophy (from 6th Century b.C. to 529 a.D.) is presupposed. Surely s competence in ancient Greek and Latin languages makes it easier the work within this scientific field, however it is not compulsory. An attention to lexical research and an interest in a critical reading of philosophical texts and to arguments are very useful.

Program

Wondering, aporia, eros: Plato’s anthropology.
These three concepts outline Plato’s “vision of human being”. Two famous ancient passages, in Plato’s Theaetetus (155d) and Aristotle’s Metaphysics (982b), regard the passion (pàthos) of wondering (thaumàzein) as the origin of philosophical researching. Then some contemporary scholars assume wondering as a men’s proper skill, even more an essential condition to human being. However, what exactly is thaumàzein? Are wondering (thaumàzein) and being puzzled (perplexity) the same status? The ancient verb aporeîn, used by Plato and Aristotle, means both wondering and being puzzled and describes a complex inner status, cognitive and emotional at the same time. We shall examine the features of this inner status: the Socratic knowledge of one’s ignorance (a cognitive feature) is not enough to move researching. In addition we must allow our desire of knowledge and beauty properly work: Plato’s Symposium shows that all of us, as daemon Eros’ children, naturally and necessarily feel this desire. We discover a central, basic role played just by love of knowledge (philosophìa), opposed to other negative emotions (confusion, instability, shame, fear or envy of others, etc.) we feel inside because of the thaumàzein / aporeîn itself. In order to acquire knowledge and to accomplish the kalokagathòn we always are looking for, we need to take a daily care not only of our knowledges, but also of the desires and the emotions we may feel.

Bibliography:
-Lecture Notes available at photocopy shops “La rapida” e “Ateneo” with: a) texts taken from contemporary authors (Berti, Hersch, Zambrano, Matthews); b) selected passages from Plato’s Dialogues (particularly from Theaetetus, Meno, Symposium and Republic) and from Aristotle’s Metaphysics; c) introductions and commentaries on Plato’s passages (Napolitano 2007, 2013 and 2014);
-a book optionally among:
-L.M. NAPOLITANO VALDITARA, Il sé, l’altro, l’intero. Rileggendo i Dialoghi di Platone, Milano-Udine Mimesis 2010
-L.M. NAPOLITANO VALDITARA, “Prospettive” del gioire e del soffrire nell’etica di Platone, Milano-Udine 20132
-L.M. NAPOLITANO VALDITARA, Virtù piacere e felicità nell’etica dei Greci, Verona Aemme Edizioni 2014;
-L.M. NAPOLITANO VALDITARA, Lo sguardo nel buio. Metafore visive e forme grecoantiche della razionalità, Roma-Bari Laterza 1994.

Lessons will be available by e-learning.

Didactical Methods: The course will be carried on by frontal lessons, with direct reading of the texts and following discussions. Therefore attendance at classes will be very useful and desirable, though obviously not compulsory.
The same program is valid for students who cannot attend lessons; nevertheless, they must get in touch with the teacher, in order to receive indications on adding texts, whose reading will compensate for lacking attendance: these texts will be agreed for every student, with regard to his previous knowledge, curriculum and interests.

Examination Methods

Ways of evaluation: Some oral questions will be put to the student; he will be invited to read and comment some passages of the original texts already read together during classes. Student is also allowed to write a paper on some subject of the course at his choice: this paper must be sent to the teacher at least a week before the exam and will be discussed together.