B4976 - History of Medieval Thought (1)

Learning outcomes

The course is devoted to the forms of transmission of knowledge in the Middle Ages, to the forms of teaching, construction, preservation and communication of doctrines, considering in particular the specific techniques of work, book types and the characteristics of literary genres: philosophy, theology, biblical exegesis and other genres involved in the construction of medieval thought.

Course contents

The Post-Platonism of John Scotus Eriugena (Module II)

1. The historiographical and theoretical problem we aim to address—building on what was studied in the first module dedicated to early medieval philosophy—concerns the mechanisms through which John Scotus Eriugena, in his Periphyseon (De divisione naturae), substantially modified and innovated the Platonic tradition, laying the groundwork for a transformation of self-consciousness within the Latin tradition.

2. The study of the Periphyseon, particularly the oldest manuscripts that transmit it, will also provide an opportunity to examine and understand how philosophical texts circulated in the Early Middle Ages and how circles of readers and intellectual debate formed around them.

3. The backbone of the module will consist of the reading, commentary, and discussion of passages from Periphyseon. The reading of the text will be preceded by an introduction to the author and the canon of his work. This reading will explore the role of natural theology in philosophical thought, one of the defining characteristics of Latin medieval culture.

Readings/Bibliography

The examination program for the second module of the integrated course includes the reading of a selection of texts from Periphyseon (De diuisione naturae). The edition used is by Peter Dronke, Giovanni Scoto, On the Natures of the Universe (“Periphyseon”) I–V (Books I–V), translated by Michela Pereira and Elisa Chiti, Milan: Fondazione Lorenzo Valla–A. Mondadori, 2012–2017.

For non-attendees. Non-attendees should complete their preparation by reading a short work by a Latin author of the Middle Ages, read in a critical edition (to be communicated to the lecturer a few days in advance). The author may be chosen from the following: Boethius, Cassiodorus, Gregory the Great, Alcuin, Gerbert of Aurillac, Anselm of Canterbury, Peter Abelard, Eloise of the Paraclete, Bernard of Clairvaux, Ildegarde of Bingen, Richard of St. Victor, Alain of Lille, Thomas Aquinas, Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, Angela of Foligno, Ramon Llull, Dante Alighieri, John Duns Scotus, Eckhart, William of Ockham, Nicholas of Cusa. The lecturer is available to recommend accessible and reliable editions. Other authors may be suggested to the lecturer.

Teaching methods

1. The teacher will present the topics and problems in the program, discussing critical aspects of the method with the students.

2. The lecturer will read and comment on and solicit discussion of the issues posed by the reading of John Scotus Eriugena's Periphyseon.

3. Having verified the situation of the class, the lecturer will try to encourage seminar activities, according to the tradition of teaching and in relation to themes connected with the general problem posed by the course.

Assessment methods

Those taking the two modules of the integrated History of Medieval Culture and Thought course can choose to take the exam in one oral or in two parts corresponding to the two modules.

The examination is oral and usually lasts about 30 minutes, during which the lecturer first gives the student space to present one of his or her topics in an articulate manner. The examination is not only aimed at evaluating what has been learned, but is considered a moment of the teaching activity, that is, a useful moment to complete and fine-tune the course completed.

For the rest, it should be kept in mind that - in the ordinary way - the interview will then have the following articulation. The student (1) will be able to present a topic of their choice in a well-structured oral presentation, specifying a title and the intended audience for their speech. The studente (2) will be confronted with the general problems posed by the course and will be solicited about the general features of medieval philosophy also considering the modes of its communication, in relation therefore to the conditions the authors' work and listening to their audience. It will be possible to reason in this part of the examination about the hypotheses of periodization that articulate the Middle Ages, trying to focus on what are its revolutions. (3) There will then be a focus on the authors who can be considered representative in the different textual types experienced by medieval philosophy and the methodological problems involved in reading these texts. (4) Finally, parts from the works read in class may be read in relation to the problems and hypotheses posed by the course.

Given the multiplicity of philosophical forms experienced in the mediolatin millennium, space will be given to the student's specific interests.

Exam sessions. During the 2025/2026 academic year, exam sessions are scheduled in the following months: May, June, July, September, October, November, December

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

During the course, major websites that provide access to a portion of medieval Latin manuscripts will be presented, with a focus on philosophical culture.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Santi