28017 - History of Ancient Philosophy (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has acquired (1) the in-depth knowledge of a philosophical topic or problem typical of Greek and Roman antiquity and (2) three types of skills: (a) philological – he/she knows how to analyze an ancient text using the advanced philological tools needed for the study of Greek and Roman philosophy; (b) dialectical – he/she is trained to discuss a philosophical problem in a synchronic and diachronic way, through the comparison between ancient and modern philosophers; (c) rhetorical – he/she is capable of arguing exegetical and philosophical theses in oral and written form.

Course contents

The Invention of the Political Plato

This course aims to conduct an in-depth analysis of two key moments in the reception of Greek thought during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The first part will focus on various interpretations of Plato, particularly those that emphasize the political dimension of his philosophy. From Jaeger to Hildebrandt, from Heidegger to Gadamer, from Popper to Kelsen, from Arendt to Strauss, what will emerge is that discussing the political Plato becomes a way of engaging with the legacy of Nazism and its significance in European history.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Anthology of texts (available on aula virtuale)

M. Bonazzi, Il demone della nostalgia. L’invenzione della Grecia da Nietzsche a Arendt, Einaudi 2025

Teaching methods

Lectures; participation and discussion will be encouraged.

Assessment methods

Oral examination. The oral examination consists of an interview aimed at assessing the skills, critical abilities, and methodological competences acquired by the students based on the texts included in the syllabus.

During the academic year 2025/2026, there will be 9 exam sessions available for all students in the following months: April, May, June, September, October, November, December, January, and March.

Top marks (28-30) will be given to students who demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the material discussed in class and contained in the texts, critical and analytical skills, and the ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and cogently. Those students who will demonstrate a good knowledge of the material but tend to repeat it mechanically rather than demonstrate full understanding and the ability to build connections and present an argument will be rewarded with average to high marks (23-27). Students who demonstrate superficial knowledge, gaps in preparation, poor critical and analytical skills and difficulties of expression will receive average to low marks (18-22). Severe lacunae in one or more areas listed above could lead to the student repeating the exam.

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders have the right to special adjustments according to their condition, following an assessment by the Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact the instructor but get in touch with the Service directly to schedule an appointment. It will be the responsibility of the Service to determine the appropriate adjustments. For more information, visit the page: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students .

It is recommended that students contact the University office in advance. Any proposed adjustments must be submitted at least 15 days in advance for the instructor’s approval, who will evaluate their appropriateness in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Some texts of bibliography and eventual slides shown during the course will be available on Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Mauro Bonazzi