Learning objectives

History of Medieval Philosophy
Medieval philosophy spans from late Antiquity to the raise of Humanism (4th century aD-14th century), involving the whole Euro-Mediterranean region, and articulating in for languages: Latin, Greek, Arabic, and Hebrew. The course provides students with in-depth knowledge of the concepts, the schools, and the main thinkers of the philosophy of the Middle Ages, the latter always considered within the wider context of Western though. Students are expected:
KNOWLEDGE:
1. To acquire knowledge of a given range of subjects, texts, and authors, belonging to medieval philosophy, the latter seen as part of the wider context of Western though.
2. By means of the knowledge acquired at point 1, to reach a wider knowledge of the main conceptual lines of Western philosophical tradition.
ABILITIES:
1. To approach medieval philosophical texts (read in translations, but always referring them to the original Latin versions) in a scientifically sound way, showing the ability to use correct historical-critical and hermeneutical approaches, and properly using a correct philosophical terminology;
2. To autonomously formulate critically-founded assessments on the subjects analyzed during the course.
3. To use present-day sources and research tools (paper-supported and/or online archives, data banks, online catalogues), also in view of learning how to properly write an academic-style essay and/or the final dissertation.
4. To develop their capacity communicate philosophical contents to specialists and non-specialists alike;
5. To develop their capacity to continue their studies at a MA level.

Prerequisites and basic notions

A general knowledge of the development of the history of ancient and medieval philosophy.

Program

The problem of knowledge in the Patristic and medieval thought
- The origins of Christianity and the confrontation with classical philosophy.
- The Greek Patristic: Origen.
- The Latin Patristic: Augustin with a particular attention to De trinitate.
- Anselm of Canterbury: the Monologion; the comparirono man/angel; the theory of redemption.
- Tommaso d'Aquino: valore cruciale della gnoseologia; la polemica sull'unità dell'intelletto; la visione complessiva dell'uomo.
- Dante: la gnoseologia del Convivio e il problema della realizzazione storica del cristianesimo.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Frontal lesson and dialogue with the students on the fundamental topics of the course.

Learning assessment procedures

Oral exam.

Evaluation criteria

Knowledge and comprehension of the topics of the course, personal interest, mastery of the philosophical language.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The evaluation is based on the essential criteria listed above, starting from the contents of the course.

Exam language

Italiano