Learning objectives

The course aims at providing students with a profound knowledge of the History of Renaissance Thought (fifteenth- to sixteenth-century). At the end, students are expected to show a solid knowledge of the authors and texts dealt with in the course as well as the ability to start further research on their own. The results of teaching are:

1. KNOWLEDGE: (1) Knowledge of the philosophical tradition; (2) Ability to establish connections (even interdisciplinary) between determinations of thought and epochs; (3) Hermeneutical skills; (4) Awareness of the problems related to the historiographical methodology.

2. SKILLS (1) Ability to analyze the sources; (2) Ability to apply the theoretical and methodological tools necessary to allow autonomy of research, critical reflection and understanding; (3) Ability to produce an organic and systematic overview; (4) Ability to manage and interpret historical-bibliographic sources autonomously and to identify connections between different phases of philosophical, artistic and cultural processes and currents; (5) Ability to produce an organic and systematic overview:

3. AUTONOMY (1) Ability to formulate an independent critical judgment on philosophical or cultural issues; (2) Ability to autonomously manage and interpret historical-bibliographic sources and to identify connections between different phases of philosophical, artistic and cultural processes and currents.

4. COMMUNICATION (1) Ability to communicate, share and disseminate information, ideas, problems and solutions with specialists and non-specialists.

5. LEARNING (1) Ability to autonomously process research paths; (2) Ability to master interdisciplinary dialogue; (3) Ability to carry out research work independently.

Prerequisites and basic notions

A general knowledge of history of philosophy.

Program

The rediscovery of Plato in the Renaissance and the historical role of Marsilio Ficino:
1) The historico-interpretative problem of the Platonic traditions: the neo-Platonic misunderstanding.
2) Calcidius' translation of Times and the underground presence of Platonism in the middle-ages.
3) A Platonic metaphysics "before" Plato: Cusanus.
4) Ficino's translations of Plato and the Florentine humanistic environment.
5) The Theologia Platonica and its historical influence.
6) The resumption of Plato's theory of love: Amor Cortese; Pietro Bembo; Castiglione; Leone Ebreo; Michelangelo.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Lecture, reading and analysis of the texts of the authors studied in the course, discussion with the students about the topics considered.
The lectures will be recorded on Zoom.

Learning assessment procedures

The exam is oral and deals with a personal ascertainment of the topics studied in the course through a dialogue with the professor.

Evaluation criteria

An adequate comprehension of the topics and the texts - exposition appropriate and consistent - ability in interpreting and comparing the subjects studied - personal interest

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The vote will be given on a 30/30 scale, according to an overall evaluation of the criteria indicated above (comprehension, exposition, interpretation, interest), achieved through the dialogue with the student

Exam language

Italiano