Teaching code

4S007343

Teacher

Alessandro Stavru

Coordinatore

Alessandro Stavru

Credits

6

Also offered in courses:

• Dialogicity of Ancient Philosophy (m) of the course Master’s degree in Tradition and Interpretation of Literary Texts

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

M-FIL/07 - HISTORY OF ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY

Period

Sem. 1A dal Sep 26, 2022 al Nov 5, 2022.

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars

Learning objectives

Dialogicity and Ancient Philosophy The course aims at teaching the use of philosophical terminology, which derives almost all from the Greek and Latin traditions, together with the critical use of texts also in the original classic languages (Greek and Latin) for becoming aware of relevant philosophical problems and concepts. It provides also: - the ability to understand ancient philosophical texts focused on the theme of care as well as to contextualize them from a historical-critical point of view; - the ability of contradictory argumenting by means of classroom confrontations and debates. Knowledge of the history of Greek and Latin philosophy (from the sixth century B.C. to 529 A.D.) is needed. Knowledge of Greek and Latin is of help, although not mandatory. Required, as well as enhanced through course attendance and activities, are a great attention to lexical analysis as well as the ability to critically examine philosophical texts thanks to argumentative discourse.

Prerequisites and basic notions

A previous knowledge of ancient philosophy is required. The knowledge of ancient Greek and Latin is not compulsory. More important is a careful lexical research and an interest in a critical reading of philosophical texts.

Program

Course title: "The Socratic Dialogue, the Care of the Soul and the Emotions".
The course deals with the philosophical, ethical and anthropological foundations of dialogical thinking in its many aspects (contradiction, refutation, logic, dialectics). These dialogical modes will be examined by reading texts of Socrates's direct students (especially Plato, but also Aristippus, Aeschines, Phaedo, and Xenophon), in order to identify the lines of continuity and/or discontinuity between the ancient Socratic dialogue and its reprise in contemporary philosophies of dialogue (such as philosophical hermeneutics, philosophical counseling, and extrajudicial conflict resolution).
The course will provide a shared reading of dialogical units drawn from Socratic literature: students will be involved in discussing the positions held by the characters in the text and, where possible, in applying the dialogical "thinking with the other".
TEXTS TO BE READ FOR THE ORAL EXAM:
A) L. Napolitano, Il dialogo socratico, Milano, Mimesis 2018 (the student will choose one modern author in the first part of the book; the second part of the book should be read entirely).
B) A. Stavru, Socrate e la cura dell'anima, Milano, Marinotti 2009.
C) Dispense (with texts by/on Aristippus, Aeschines, Phaedo, and Xenophon and secondary literature on the Socratic dialogue by C. Kahn, L. Rossetti, V. Dinapoli, and L. Candiotto).
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Non-attending students will bring the same texts as attending students, except for the volume by L. Napolitano "Il dialogo socratico," which will be read in its entirety.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The teaching is carried out in frontal mode. The lessons are made available via streaming (Zoom links are available on the Moodle page of the course). Recordings are placed on the Moodle at the end of each lesson.

Learning assessment procedures

the student will be examined orally; she will be invited to read and comment some passages of the examined texts. The student may write a short essay (5-7 pages) on the monographic section. She will send it to the teacher a week before the exam.
The normal duration of the exam session is 15-30 minutes. Exam modes are differentiated between attending and non-attending students (see program).

Evaluation criteria

Ability to organize and articulate the acquired knowledge; critical reasoning on the topics of the course; quality, depth and coherence of the exposition, competence in the use of terminology and expressions rerlated to ancient philosophy.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The evaluation is expressed in a grade out of thirty.

Exam language

Italiano