Philosophy

Plato’s “Sophist”. The course is dedicated to the reading and commentary of one of Plato’s most significant mature dialogues, which is also among the most influential works in the entire Western philosophical tradition. Belonging to a trilogy alongside the ‘Theaetetus’ and the ‘Statesman’, the ‘Sophist’ engages with multiple themes, including the diairetic method, the definition of the sophist, the relation between truth and falsehood, and the dichotomy between being and non-being, all within a framework that remains fundamentally philosophical and political. Plato seeks to draw a sharp distinction between the domain of the sophist and that of the philosopher, fully aware that the former possesses formidable theoretical “weapons” (skillfully employed for deception), namely the thought of Parmenides—albeit as interpreted by the Sophists and by Plato himself. For this reason, in the ‘Sophist’, Plato is compelled to confront Eleatic philosophy once and for all: his “solution” and the so-called “parricide” of Parmenides will exert a profound and enduring influence on the subsequent course of philosophical thought.

A knowledge corresponding to the level of the bachelor’s degree in philosophy is required. General knowledge of the history of philosophy with special focus on the history of ancient philosophy.

1.1. R. Chiaradonna-P. Pecere (a cura di), Filosofia: La ricerca della conoscenza, Vol. 1A: Dalle origini ad Aristotele, Mondadori, Milano 2018. 1.2. R. Chiaradonna-P. Pecere (a cura di), Filosofia: La ricerca della conoscenza, Vol. 1B: Dall’Ellenismo al tardo Medioevo, Mondadori, Milano 2018, esclusivamente le Unità 5 (L’età ellenistica) e 6 (La tarda antichità). [Students who have already taken a History of Ancient Philosophy exam with the teacher will replace the handbook with one of the following volumes: 1. M. Vegetti, Quindici lezioni su Platone, Einaudi, Torino 2003. 2. E. Berti, Sumphilosophein: La vita nell’Accademia di Platone, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2010. 3. F. Trabattoni, La filosofia di Platone: Verità e ragione umana, Carocci, Roma 2020.] 2. For the text of the “Sophist”, students may choose from one of the following editions: 2a. Platone: Sofista, a cura di F. Fronterotta, Rizzoli, Milano 2007. 2b. Platone: Sofista, a cura di B. Centrone, Einaudi, Torino 2008. 3. T. A. Szlezák, Platone: L’invenzione della filosofia in Occidente, Prefaz. di F. Ferrari, Trad. it. di C. Centrone, Hoepli, Milano 2025. 4. G. B. Kerferd, I sofisti, Trad. it. di C. Musolesi, il Mulino, Bologna 1997.

Attending the course is highly recommended.

The evaluation consists of both a written and an oral examination. In addition to active participation in class, students in the written and oral exams must show that they: 1. know the fundamental doctrines and topics of the authors of the history of ancient philosophy from the so-called Presocratics to the end of Antiquity; 2. can critically analyze Plato’s ‘Sophist’ in its historical-philosophical entirety and breadth. The satisfaction of point 1 is the necessary condition for passing the exam. Marks above 27/30 will be awarded to students who fulfil points 1 and 2. The exam consists of a single written test and a following oral test (on different dates): the written test will be held at the end of the course and will cover only the handbook part. The written test will last 90 minutes, and the oral test no more than 30 minutes. Students who pass the written test can access the oral test (on one of the available exam dates), which will only cover the monographic part. Students who for various reasons are unable to participate in the written test will take a single oral exam of at least 45 minutes that will cover both the handbook and the monographic parts.

Reading guides and introductions to the thought and specific works of the authors on the programme. Secondary literature on specific topics will be recommended during the course.

Lectures with reconstruction of the context and reading, analysis and commentary of the texts. The original texts will be constantly taken into account. Seminar discussion of the topics covered.