12365 - History of Ancient Philosophy (2) (G.A)

Learning outcomes

Three main objectives: (1) philological: to provide the essential tools for the study of ancient Greek and Roman philosophy; (2) dialectical: train to the discussion of a philosophical problem by examining ancient solutions compared to other solutions, particularly in modern and contemporary philosophy; (3) rhetorical: to provide a philosophical writing method aimed at preparing a written exercise on ancient philosophy.

Course contents

Justice, Philosophy, Happines: on Plato’s Republic

One of the milestones of the Western philosophical tradition and an acclaimed literary masterpiece, Plato’s Republic continues to be a constant point of reference for all those who reflect upon society, in both its existing and its ideal arrangement. Presenting a conversation between Socrates and a few interlocutors of different persuasions and backgrounds, Plato develops an “expansive” theory of justice involving ideas on education, the position of women, art and literature, soul, metaphysics and epistemology, and myth. The proposals he advances are often provocative and shocking and have been rejected as being communist or fascist, or at any rate anti-democratic - the various qualifications testifying to a certain elusiveness of the work’s nature and purpose. But if Plato does not present a blueprint for the ideal society, how are his proposals and arguments to be understood instead? What do they imply for us here and now? This course covers the whole of this Platonic key treatise and takes us to the heart of Plato’s thought. Not for the intellectually lazy or the easily discouraged, it provides a lasting impression of one of the great works of philosophy.

Readings/Bibliography

Platone, Repubblica, a cura di M. Vegetti, Milano, BUR

M. Bonazzi, Atene la città inquieta, Torino, Einaudi

Students who could not attend classes will also carefully study the following books of Plato’s Republic: I, II, IV, V. They will also study one of these two books:

M. Vegetti, Introduzione alla Repubblica, Roma, Laterza

F. Ferrari, Introduzione alla Repubblica, Bologna, Il Mulino

Teaching methods

Lectures, with a close reading of Plato’ text.

Assessment methods

Oral examination.

Assessment criteria:

30 e lode - excellent: relevant knowledge is fully acquired; context is fully provided; excellent articulation.

30 - very good: comprehensive knowledge, good articulation.

27-29 - good: comprehensive knowledge, correct exposition, adequately contextualised.

24-26 - fairly good: essential knowledge acquired, but not exhaustive and not always correctly articulated.

21-23 - sufficient: knowledge appears superficial and/or incomplete; exposition and articulation are wanting and occasionally incorrect.

18-20- barely sufficient: limited knowledge, little ability to provide context, significant gaps and/or misconceptions.

<18 - failed: essential knowledge is not acquired; inadequate understanding of the historical-philosophical context.

Teaching tools

There will be a course-related web page on the Unibo e-learning platform (virtuale.unibo.it). All students are required to subscribe

Office hours

See the website of Mauro Bonazzi