Philosophy

Aristotle’s ‘De anima’ Among Aristotle’s works, certainly the ‘De Anima’ holds a particularly important place due to the significance of the topics it addresses. The main theme examined is the nature of the soul, its close relationship with the body, and its various functions. Aristotle also deals with other issues related to the soul, such as life, movement, the doctrine of causes, form, matter, hylomorphism, and especially perception and knowledge. Moreover, the first book of the work is particularly significant as Aristotle examines the philosophical positions of his predecessors on the characteristics of the soul. The reading and commentary of the text will attempt to show the specificity of Aristotle’s position (not only in comparison with Plato’s psychology) and the reasons that make this work a decisive writing in the philosophical tradition of all times.

Basic knowledge of the main authors of ancient Greek and Roman thought and their philosophical terminology. Knowledge of ancient Greek and Latin is not mandatory but strongly welcome.

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. G. Mingucci, La fisiologia del pensiero in Aristotele, il Mulino, Bologna 2015; 2. A. Falcon, Aristotelismo, Einaudi, Torino 2017; 3. D. Charles, The Undivided Self: Aristotle and the ‘Mind-Body’ Problem, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2021.] 2. Aristotele, L’anima, a cura di G. Movia, Bompiani, Milano 2001. 3. G. Cambiano-L. Repici (a cura di), Aristotele e la conoscenza, LED, Milano 1993. 4. C. Natali, Aristotele, Carocci, Roma 2014.

Attending the course is highly recommended.

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 Cicero’s ‘De anima’ 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.

See the text to be studied.

Frontal lessons and seminar discussions of the texts and the issues treated in the course.

Aristotle’s ‘De anima’ Among Aristotle’s works, certainly the ‘De Anima’ holds a particularly important place due to the significance of the topics it addresses. The main theme examined is the nature of the soul, its close relationship with the body, and its various functions. Aristotle also deals with other issues related to the soul, such as life, movement, the doctrine of causes, form, matter, hylomorphism, and especially perception and knowledge. Moreover, the first book of the work is particularly significant as Aristotle examines the philosophical positions of his predecessors on the characteristics of the soul. The reading and commentary of the text will attempt to show the specificity of Aristotle’s position (not only in comparison with Plato’s psychology) and the reasons that make this work a decisive writing in the philosophical tradition of all times.

Basic knowledge of the main authors of ancient Greek and Roman thought and their philosophical terminology. Knowledge of ancient Greek and Latin is not mandatory but strongly welcome.

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. G. Mingucci, La fisiologia del pensiero in Aristotele, il Mulino, Bologna 2015; 2. A. Falcon, Aristotelismo, Einaudi, Torino 2017; 3. D. Charles, The Undivided Self: Aristotle and the ‘Mind-Body’ Problem, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2021.] 2. Aristotele, L’anima, a cura di G. Movia, Bompiani, Milano 2001. 3. G. Cambiano-L. Repici (a cura di), Aristotele e la conoscenza, LED, Milano 1993. 4. C. Natali, Aristotele, Carocci, Roma 2014.

Attending the course is highly recommended.

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 Cicero’s ‘De anima’ 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.

See the text to be studied.

Frontal lessons and seminar discussions of the texts and the issues treated in the course.