Teaching code

4S007318

Teacher

Linda Napolitano

Coordinator

Linda Napolitano

Credits

6

Also offered in courses:

• History of Ancient Philosophy (p) of the course Bachelor's degree in Philosophy

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

M-FIL/07 - HISTORY OF ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY

Period

Sem. 2A dal Feb 17, 2020 al Mar 28, 2020.

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning outcomes

In addition to providing references to the main authors and schools of ancient philosophy, the course is intended to teach the use of philosophical terminology and to teach the critical use of the original text, for the acquisition of problems and central philosophical concepts.

Program

Contenuto del corso: “Plato: the shadow and the image”
The Platonic concept of image has been meant mostly as negative (it is three steps far from true, false and fallacious). However, the iconoclasm and the radical critic to the art, traditionally ascribed to Plato, do not offer any explanation of the fact that he himself often uses images and myths. Truly the image (in its double version of eikòn and eidolon, and, again, of seen and spoken image) is, within the Platonic Dialogues, the centre of an interesting net of matters: it is true always in its reference to its model, which surpasses it (as the Sophist clearly claims); it can be wrongly used in a cognitive, social, moral field (as stated by the so-called myth of the cave). Nevertheless, when rightly used, it may became a particular way for acquiring the truth: we can ‘risk to believe to it’ (as the Phaedo claims) and we can be also ‘saved’ by it (as said at the end of the myth of Er, in the Republic). It allows to communicate the true also to someone who is not a philosopher: but it allows also the philosopher problematically to assume the true itself. Particular and new reflexions can be made on the building of the image we have of ourselves and, possibly, on the role of the image within a ‘pedagogy’ of suffering.
LESSONS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE E-LEARNING SYSTEM AND ARE COMPULSORY PSRT OF THE COURSE FOR ALL THE STUDENTS, BOTH ATTENDING LESSONS OR NOT (cf. www. e.learning.univr.it).

Examination Methods

Metodi didattici: 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.

Modalità di valutazione: 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. As to the basic texts of the course, the student can choose also to write a brief paper (5-10 pp., to be given at least one week before the exam) on some subjects discussed together, or on some passages read during classes: this relation will be orally discussed during the exam.