B4968 - History of Medieval Philosophy (2)

Learning outcomes

The course aims to explore specific aspects of the different traditions of medieval thought, reinforcing the ability to directly read and critically analyze texts, also presented in the original language (Latin, Hebrew, Arabic). The study of the topics covered is intended to increase the students' awareness of the importance of medieval thought for the development of Western philosophy, favoring an increasing familiarity with some fundamental texts.

Course contents

Soul, world, God. Albert the Great's philosophy of nature 

Albert the Great, a thirteenth-century Dominican theologian, owes his greatness to his systematic work analyzing Aristotelian philosophy and Arab-Peripatetic science. His thought cannot, however, be considered a mere repetition of themes and problems raised by other authors. Wherever he finds gaps or inaccuracies, he works to propose new theories and new solutions.

The treatise De natura et origine animae is an emblematic result of this work of reworking. Plants, animals, and human beings are studied holistically, taking into account their specific characteristics but also their analogies, within a framework that sees nature as perfectly organized according to a hierarchical system that seems to recall the Neoplatonic model rather than Peripatetic philosophy.

The course consists of a guided reading of the text with the aim of examining its sources and understanding Albert's method of inquiry, taking as a guiding question: is the opus naturae truly an opus intelligentiae?

 

Summary

Of the 15 lessons (two hours each):

• 2 lessons will be devoted to an introduction to the thirteenth-century debate on the reception of Aristotelian natural philosophy;
• 3 lessons will be devoted to an introduction to the figure of Albert the Great;
• 10 lessons will be devoted to the reading and commentary of the De natura et origine animae.

Readings/Bibliography

1. Text:

• Albert the Great, La natura e l'origine dell'anima, translation, introduction and notes by A. Colli, ETS, Pisa 2025
  

2. Critical studies:

(choose three from the following)

• A. Cerrito, Maschile e femminile. Paternità e maternità delle piante nel pensiero di Alberto Magno, in: Bulletin de philosophie médiévale, 65 (2023), pp. 201-217;

• A. Colli, Nourishing Body and Soul. Albert the Great on Aristotle's Politics (Book VII-VIII), in: Quaestio, 23 (2023), pp. 193-208;

• M. Loconsole, What is it like to die for a stone? Albert the Great and the Biologisation of Inorganic Nature, in: Quaestio, 23 (2023), pp. 209-234;

• M. Panarelli, On the Trail of the scientia plantarum: an Analysis of the Sources of Albert the Great's De vegetabilibus, in: Quaestio, 23 (2023), pp. 163-192;

• S. Perfetti, Nature imperfette. Umano, subumano e animale nel pensiero di Alberto Magno, ETS, Pisa 2020;

• K. Reeds, Albert and the Natural Philosophy of Plant Life, in: J. Weisheipl (ed.), Alberto Magno e le scienze, ESD, Bologna 1994, pp. 367-380;

• J.M. Riddle and J.A. Mullholland, Albert, Stones, and Minerals, in: J. Weisheipl (ed.), Alberto Magno e le scienze, ESD, Bologna 1994, pp. 219-246;

• A. Takahashi, Nature, Formative Power and Intellect in the Natural Philosophy of Albert the Great, in: Early Science and Medicine, 13 (2008), pp. 451-481.

 

The course is designed for students who already have a good knowledge of medieval thought. Those who do not meet this requirement are asked to contact the instructor to arrange additional readings to supplement the exam syllabus.

 

Guidance for NON-attending students:

Students who do NOT attend classes are invited to supplement the exam syllabus with the following readings:

• J.A. Weisheipl, La vita e le opere di Alberto Magno, in: J.A. Weisheipl (ed.), Alberto Magno e le scienze, Edizioni Studio Domenicano, Bologna 1994 (Lumen, 11), pp. 17-54;

• L. Sturlese, Il razionalismo filosofico e scientifico di Alberto il Grande, in: L. Sturlese, Storia della filosofia tedesca nel Medioevo. Il secolo XIII, Olschki, Firenze 1996, pp. 69-125.

Teaching methods

The course includes a series of introductory lectures and a subsequent guided reading of the texts that are the subject of examination.

Some texts indicated in the bibliography, as well as any outlines or slides presented in class, will be made available on Virtuale. It is therefore recommended to wait for the beginning of the course before obtaining the texts.

The lectures will NOT be recorded.

Assessment methods

Oral Examination. It is recommended to bring the text of Albert the Great to the exam, as part of the test will consist of reading and commenting on them.

30 cum laude - Excellent as to knowledge, philosophical lexicon and critical expression.

30 – Excellent: knowledge is complete, well argued and correctly expressed, with some slight faults.

27-29 – Good: thorough and satisfactory knowledge; essentially correct expression.

24-26 - Fairly good: knowledge broadly acquired, and not always correctly expressed.

21-23 – Sufficient: superficial and partial knowledge; exposure and articulation are incomplete and often not sufficiently appropriate

18-20 - Almost sufficient: superficial and decontextualized knowledge. The exposure of the contents shows important gaps.

Exam failed - Students are requested to show up at a subsequent exam session if basic skills and knowledge are not sufficiently acquired and not placed in the historical-philosophical context.

 

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.

 

Exam sessions

During the 2026/2027 academic year (1st october 2026 - 30th september 2027), exam sessions are scheduled in the following months: October, January, March, May, June, July, September.

Teaching tools

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

The lectures will NOT be recorded.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Colli