12191 - History of Medieval Philosophy (1)

Learning outcomes

The course introduces to a rich and remarkable period in the history of philosophy, conventionally known as medieval thought.Striking feature is the continous coverage (through the analysis of the notion of translatio studii) of Islamic, Jewish and Christian material and texts.Starting in the late eight century, with renewal of learning, a sequence of themes will takes the students until the end of twelve century through the development in many varied fields of medieval thought including logic and language, natural philosophy, rethorics, ethics and theology. Close attemption is payed to the context of medieval philosophy with discussion of the rise of this particular cultural and theological phaenomenon generally resumed under the name of monastic spirituality and monastic conversational community.

Course contents

Thomas Aquinas and the inventory of the world. Reading and analysis of De ente et essentia.

A small mistake in the beginning is a big one in the end, and as being and essence are what is first conceived by the intellect [...] we must point out what is signified by the words “being” and “essence”.

(Thomas Aquinas, De ente et essentia)

 

Our main daily activity is to become aware of our surroundings and attribute a definition to them. This is not frequently done consciously: for example, of a dog we meet on the doorstep as of a train we board in the morning we do not undertake an explicit ontological analysis; however, the use we make of objects or the way we relate to other living beings presupposes an admission of their existence and an understanding of what they are. Therefore, at the insistence of his friars, Thomas Aquinas writes a short treatise to clarify how the concepts "being" and "essence" should be understood. What follows is an interesting "inventory of the world" in which theological issues are discussed within the framework of the Peripatetic tradition.

After a brief introduction to the history of medieval philosophy, the course will focus on the reading and analysis of Thomas Aquinas' De ente et essentia with the dual aim of showing the sources influencing the author and pointing out some theoretical issues that continue to interest philosophical reflection.

Summary

Of the 15 lectures (30 hours):

• 5 lectures will be devoted to a general introduction to the history of medieval philosophy. For this purpose, the first point of the bibliography will include the study of one textbook among those indicated.

• 10 lectures will be devoted to reading and commenting on some passages from De ente et essentia by Thomas Aquinas. In addition to the text, indicated in point 2.1 of the examination bibliography, reference will be made to the critical studies indicated in point 2.2.

 

The course will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 and will run according to the following schedule:

Tuesday, from 17 to 19 (aula Tibiletti, Via Zamboni 38);

Wednesday, from 9 to 11 (aula Tibiletti, Via Zamboni 38);

Friday, from 17 to 19 (aula II, Via Zamboni 38).

 

Readings/Bibliography

1. Introduction to the history of medieval philosophy

The first part of the course involves the study of one of two textbooks of your choice:

• C. Esposito, P. Porro, Filosofia antica e medievale, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2008, pp. 200-337, 373-401.
  

• M. Vegetti, L. Fonnesu, Le ragioni della filosofia. 1. Filosofia antica e medievale, Le Monnier Scuola, Milano 2008, pp. 475-593, 608-685.
  

For other textbooks please contact the teacher.

2. Thomas Aquinas on Being and Essence

The second part of the course involves the study of a classical text (2.1) and two critical studies (2.2):

2.1. Text

• Tommaso d’Aquino, L’ente e l’essenza, trad. it. di P. Porro, Bompiani, Milano 2002 (Testi a fronte, 49). (Prologue, Chapter 1, Chapter 2 until p. 87, Chapter 4, Chapter 5)
  

For other editions please contact the teacher.

2.2. Critical studies

• P. Porro, Tommaso d’Aquino. Un profilo storico-filosofico, Carocci, Roma 2019 (Quality paperbacks).

• A. Kenny, L’essere secondo Tommaso d’Aquino. Un’ontologia problematica, Carocci, Roma 2013, pp. 13-63.

Distinction between attending and non-attending students is not considered. The latter, however, are invited to contact the lecturer to arrange any additions to the syllabus.

Teaching methods

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

Some of the texts listed in the bibliography, as well as any slides, will be made available on Virtual, along with the lecture recording.

Assessment methods

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 correctely 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.

Teaching tools

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

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Colli