GREEK ORIGINS OF EUROPEAN PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT

The course takes place in the second period (November / December) and is the direct completion of what was dealt with in the first module (September/ October): for a total of 12 ECTS. In particular we will face the study of a fundamental work of ancient philosophy, so that the students, through reading, analysis and common discussion, can reach a deep knowledge of ancient philosophical thought. The comparison with the contemporary approach to the same problems will allow us to appreciate the value of the Western philosophical tradition.

The student:
- will know a fundamental text of Greek philosophical culture in depth,
- will master the tools to proceed in the philosophical investigation, also using secondary literature,
- will be able to effectively argue on the topics faced,
- will be able to contextualize what has been learned with respect to the historical period,
- will be able to proceed to the conceptualization of the problems faced.

The success on the course of [FM0398-1] GREEK ORIGINS OF EUROPEAN PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT I is required.
A basic knowledge of classical languages is also desired.

General theme:
Epicurean epistemology. Epicurus' "Letters" and Lucretius' "De rerum natura"

A) - Epicuro, Lettere, a cura di N. Russello, Milano, Rizzoli
- Lucrezio, La natura delle cose, a cura di G. Conte, L. Canali, I. Dionigi, Milano, Rizzoli

B) One of the following essays, to be chosen:
- P.M. Morel, Epicurean atomism, in The Cambridge Companion to Epicureanism, J. Warren (ed.), Cambridge, Cambridge University Press 2009, pp. 65-83
- S. Maso, Images and Truth, in F.G. Masi - S. Maso (eds.), Epicurus on ‘eidola’. Peri phuseos book ii, Update, Proposals, and Discussions, Amsterdam, Hakkert 2015, pp. 67-82.
- F. Verde, Minimi temporali nell'epistola a Erodoto di Epicuro?, in "La parola del passato", 2009, pp. 205-225.

C) One of the following essays, to be chosen:
- T. O’Keefe, Lucretius and the philosophical use of literary persuasion, in Approaches to Lucretius: traditions and innovations in reading De Rerum Natura, Donncha O’Rourke (ed.), Cambridge University Press, 2020
- J. Warren, Lucretius and the Greek Philosophy, in The Cambridge Companion to Lucretius S. Gillespie & P. Hardie (eds.), Cambridge, Cambridge University Press 2007, pp. 19-32
- A. Schiesaro, L'infinito in versi, in Lucrezio, De rerum natura, (Introduzione), Torino, Einaudi 2003, pp. vii-xxvi

D) The two essays:
- S. Maso, L'atomo di Lucrezio in LEXICON PHILOSOPHICUM, vol. 4/2016, pp. 173-182
- S. Maso, Percezione e bellezza: un problema della fisica epicurea in Quaderni degli argonauti, 2016 vol. 31, pp. 41-56

Participation in class reports and discussions.
Oral exam.
The student has to show a closed knowledge of Epicurus' letters and Lucretian Poem. In particular, an essay prepared by the student during the seminar activities will be discussed.

The course is developed in two sections; the second one is structured in a seminar way.
Occasional participation to the conferences of the Ca' Foscari's visiting professors is scheduled.
We practise a close analysis of Epicurus' Letters and of Lucretius' De rerum natura.

Italian

Handouts and other materials available online. In particular, the required secondary literature essays will be available.
In connection with the course will be scheduled a few days of study in which participants include researchers from European universities. During the course lectures will be given prompt notice of this.
For more information, www.philosophia-ve.it/universita

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion
Ca' Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development