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

Title and Subject of the course:
The Socratic Dialogue: contemporary restarts and historical origins.
In XXth century some thinkers and trains of thought have proposed forms of “Socratic dialogue”. It is applied in various spheres: pedagogic (L. Nelson, M. Nussbaum), legal (P. Moro), psyco-therapeutic (V. Frankl) e in the so-called “philosophical practices” (P. Hadot, L. Marinoff). In every one of these spheres Socratic dialogue is proposed as a methodical procedure and as an existential / relational attitude which is particularly efficacious, moreover – sometimes – as the prominent form of self-care. We aim at confronting with these contemporary restarts and verify, particularly on Plato’s Dialogues, whether and how much this procedure, to the extent that it names itself “Socratic”, is indebted to the archetypical original model. This is in turn a prominent and indispensable form of the àskesis (or “spiritual exercise”) proper to Plato’s Socrates.
Bibliography:
-Lecture Notes available at photocopy shops “La rapida” e “Ateneo” with: a) texts taken from contemporary authors (Marinoff, Dordoni, Nussbaum, Hadot, Moro); b) selected passages from Platos’ Dialogues; c) introductions and commentaries on Plato’s passages (Berti, Narcy, Rossetti, Napolitano);
- L.M. NAPOLITANO VALDITARA, Il sé, l’altro, l’intero. Rileggendo i Dialoghi di Platone, Milano-Udine Mimesis 2010
(with replaceable: L.M. NAPOLITANO VALDITARA, “Prospettive” del gioire e del soffrire nell’etica di Platone, Milano-Udine 20132).
Lessons will be available by e-learning.

Examination Methods

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.
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.