30413 - Philosophy Laboratory (1) (G.C)

Learning outcomes

The student learns to read and critically analyze philosophical texts and to write a philosophical essay.

Course contents

For general information about the laboratory, please visit the webpage of the organizer, Prof. Manlio Ioffrida

http://www.letterebeniculturali.unibo.it/it/corsi/insegnamenti/insegnamento/2018/436379

Topic of my Laboratory

Galen, The Capacities of the Soul Depend on the Mixtures of the Body (Quod animi mores corporis temperamenta sequantur).

Fragments of ‘classical’ philosophy (Plato and Aristotle), elements of anatomy and physiology, remarks pertaining to anthropology as well as to Hippocratic medicine are skilfully intertwined by Galen, who explores in this text the relationships between soul (psychē) and body (sōma), between ethics and the health vs. disease opposition. If philosophy is traditionally considered a medicine for the soul, medicine can become ancilla philosophiae when one understands the bodily mechanisms that regulate and have an influence on the movements of the soul.

The work under examination explores the relationship between physiology and human passions, which are here understood as pathēmata of the soul. Galen introduces medical theories (e.g. humours) in dialogue with a rich philosophical tradition, which has been discussing the divisions and functions of human soul over centuries. The Lab aims at: (1) introducing Galen’s thought, which played a pivotal role in the history of medicine and natural philosophy from Late Antiquity up to the rise of Modernity; (2) exploring the relationships and points of contact between science and philosophy.

The Laboratory will start on October, 3 (First term)

Wednesday 11-13 (Aula D, Via Centotrecento)

Readings/Bibliography

M. Menghi, M. Vegetti (a cura di), Galeno, Le passioni e gli errori dell’anima(Venezia: Marsilio 1994) – for an English translation see below

Other Translations and Reference Books

(additional titles will be suggested during the classes)

V. Boudon-Millot, Galeno di Pergamo. Un medico greco a Roma (Roma: Carocci, 2016); translation of Galien de Pergame. Un médecin grec à Rome (Paris: Les Belles Lettres, 2012)

I. Garofalo, A. Lami (a cura di), Galeno. L’anima e il dolore (Milano: BUR, 2012).

P. Singer (ed.), Galen, Psychological Writings (Cambridge: CUP, 2014)

M. Vegetti (a cura di), Galeno, nuovi scritti autobiografici (Roma: Carocci, 2013)

Teaching methods

The Lab will promote an interactive exchange among participants. After a short presentation of Galen and his medical/philosophical system, Galen’s text will be fully read in translation. Students will be encouraged to actively contribute to the discussion. Specific parts of the work will be investigated more in depth: students will be asked to deliver short presentations on these sections (either individually or in groups).

Assessment methods

The Lab activities require a continuous involvement of the students during the classes. Therefore, the attendance to the Lab is compulsory and it will constitute a necessary prerequisite for being admitted to the final exam. In particular, students will be required to attend at least 16 hours (out of 20) of the laboratory.

The exam will consist of a presentation and discussion of a short essay on the text that was assigned in the Lab.

The criteria adopted for the evaluation of the essay are the following:

1. familiarity with the content of the text;

2. the ability to understand and analyse the text;

3. the ability to construct an argument and use evidence appropriately to support it both in writing.

The essay will be submitted at least two weeks before the date of the oral exam that the student has chosen.

Office hours

See the website of Matteo Martelli