73082 - History of Medieval Philosophy (2) (LM)

Learning outcomes

The course aims to lead to a specialized knowledge of medieval thought, with particular reference to epistemological aspects and the interweaving of sources in vernacular, Latin, Greek, Arabic and Hebrew. Starting from concrete historical investigation, which can open up to systematic and conceptual reconstructions, the aim of the teaching is to lead students to move critically within historiographical notions, categories and classifications that, if assumed rigidly, lead to misunderstandings, ideological prejudices and a historical determinism that blocks any freedom of interpretation. Therefore, a return to the texts, the study of semantic variations in theological and philosophical vocabulary and the rigorous sifting of historiographical interpretations and history of concepts and ideas will be decisive.

Course contents

The end of the human soul. Eschatological paths in Ibn-Sina (Avicenna) and Albert the Great

The problem of death is the most radical form of inquiry into human existence. Addressing this question means asking where humans come from, but more importantly what is their ultimate destiny. The end of everything indicates the end for which everything is done. Dealing with this problem has always been one of the most complicated tasks for philosophers and theologians. On the one hand, it is possible sola ratione to formulate hypotheses about the afterlife; on the other hand, sacred scripture offers guidance regarding the nature of future existence. Medieval thought considers eschatological questions from a privileged point of view. Indeed, most of the medieval authors recognize the fundamental value of classical philosophy, but they live in a society in which monotheistic faith (Jewish, Christian and Islamic) is of paramount importance. Despite their temporal and cultural distance, the reflections of Ibn-Sina (Avicenna) and Albert the Great have some similarities.

The aim of the course is to offer a guided reading of Ibn-Sina's Epistle of the future life and Albert the Great's On the Nature and Origin of the Soul. All texts will be read and commented on in Italian translation. When necessary, timely references will be made to key concepts and vocabulary in the original language (Arabic and Latin).

 

Course summary

Of the 15 lectures (of two hours each):

• 3 lectures will be devoted to a general introduction to the problem and its context;

• 6 lectures will be devoted to a reading and commenting on Ib-Sina's texts;

• 6 lectures will be devoted to a reading and commenting on Albert the Great's texts;

Readings/Bibliography

1. Ibn-Sina (Avicenna)

1.1. Texts

• Avicenna, Epistola sulla vita futura, a cura di F. Lucchetta, Editrice Antenore, Padova 1969, pp. 140-227.
  

1.2. Critical studies

• O. Lizzini, Desiderio di sapere, piacere dell'intelletto ed elitarismo: intorno all'escatologia di Avicenna, in: Quaderni di Studi Arabi, 11 (2016), pp. 75-92;

• F. Lucchetta, Introduzione, in: Avicenna, Epistola sulla vita futura, Editrice Antenore, Padova 1969, pp. XVIII-LXVI.

 

2. Albert the Great

2.1. Texts

• Alberto Magno, La natura e l'origine dell'anima, trad. it. A. Colli, ETS, Pisa 2025, pp. 55-109.

 

2.2. Critical studies

• A. Colli, Alberto Magno e la nobiltà. Generi e forme di un concetto filosofico, ETS, Pisa 2017, pp. 135-152;

• L. Sturlese, "Intelletto acquisito e divino". La dottrina filosofica di Alberto il Grande sulla perfezione della ragione umana, in: Giornale critico della filosofia italiana, 82 (2003), pp. 161-189.

 

For NON-attending students:

One of following texts is recommended reading:

• H. Anzulewicz, Anthropology: The Concept of Man in Albert the Great, in: I. Resnick (ed.), A Companion to Albert the Great: Theology, Philosophy, and the Sciences, Brill, Leiden, pp. 325-346;

• A. Bertolacci, Albert's Use of Avicenna and Islamic Philosophy, in: I. Resnick (ed.), A Companion to Albert the Great: Theology, Philosophy, and the Sciences, Brill, Leiden 2013, pp. 601-611;
  

• I. Craemer-Ruegenberg, Albert le Grand et ses démonstrations de l'immortalité de l'âme intellective, in: Archives de philosophie, 43 (1980), pp. 667-674;

• O. Lizzini, Avicenna, Carocci, Roma 2012, pp. 227-301.

Teaching methods

The course provides a 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 Virtuale. Therefore, it is advisable to wait until the course begins before obtaining exam materials.

The lectures will NOT be recorded.

Assessment methods

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

Testing criteria and assessment thresholds:

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 2025/2026 academic year (1st october 2025 - 30th september 2026), exam sessions are scheduled in the following months: February, March, April, May, June, July, September.

Teaching tools

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

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Colli