GREEK ORIGINS OF EUROPEAN PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT

This course takes place in the first period (September/October), as the first part of the most comprehensive 12 CFU course. The second part takes place in the second period (November / December).
It is fundamental within the more general field of history of philosophy. Not only will we face the main protagonists and theories of the Greek and Roman world, but starting from the texts we will attempt a direct confrontation with the most current problems and developments of Western thought.
Teaching will proceed according to the following path:
A) Probing, in a theoretic-problematic way, some topics of ancient philosophy
B) Studying of a specific theme and setting up of a scientifically correct and effective analysis method
C) Reading of texts in their original language and in translation
D) Participating in seminar activities and perfecting of the dialectical technique
E) Comparison with the contemporary developments of some ethical and metaphysical topics.

Through a careful reflection on the texts and the common discussion of the main evidences the student will acquire the skills necessary to master the tools of philosophical research and increase the knowledge of the modern European philosophical tradition.

The success on the course of «History of Ancient Philosophy» (bachelor), and/or of «History of Roman and Late Ancient Philosophy» (bachelor) or «Greek and Roman Philosophy in the theatre» and/or of «History of Medieval Philosophy» is suggested.
A basic knowledge of the History of Ancient Philosophy is required.
A basic knowledge of classical languages is also desirable.

General theme:
The foundations of Western metaphysical thought: Plato, Aristotle, Stoicism, Epicureanism, Skepticism, and their presence today.

A) - S. Maso, Lingua philosophica Graeca, Milano : Mimesis 2010

B) - A. Kenny, Nuova storia della filosofia occidentale Vol I: Filosofia antica, Torino : Einaudi, 2012, capp. I-2.
Alternatively:
- P.L. Donini - F. Ferrari, L'esercizio della ragione nel mondo classico. Profilo della filosofia antica, Torino : Einaudi, 2005, capp. 3 e 4; oppure 3 e 5; oppure 4 e 5.

C) Classical texts:
- Aristotele, La metafisica. A scelta: l'edizione con traduzione di G. Reale (Milano : Bompiani); oppure quella di E. Berti (Roma-Bari : Laterza)
- Platone, Tutti gli scritti. A cura di G. Reale (Milano : Rusconi)
- Stoici Antichi (Stoicorum Veterum Fragmenta), raccolti da H. von Armin, a cura di R. Radice, Milano : Rusconi
- Epicuro, Lettere sulla fisica, sul cielo e sulla felicità. Testo greco a fronte, a cura di N. Russello, Milano: Rizzoli

D) - G. Cambiano, Filosofia greca e identità dell’Occidente. Le avventure di una tradizione, Bologna : il Mulino 2022.
One of the following groups of chapters of your choice:

a) Chap. I 9: San Paolo di fronte alla filosofia greca
II 10: Ruggero Bacone: sapienza antica e progresso filosofico
II 11: Aristotele ovvero la filosofia
IV 9: La querelle degli antichi e dei moderni
V 1: Tra liberi pensatori e ortodossi: nuove prospettive?
VI 3: Hölderlin e Schelling: la filosofia figlia della bellezza e della mitologia
VI 4: Friedrich Schlegel: filosofia greca e letteratura europea

b) Chap. I 8: Filone: Sacra scrittura e filosofia greca
I 13: Cristiani d’Occidente: Atene o Gerusalemme?
I 14: Le ambivalenze di Agostino
II 9: Abelardo: la filosofia di fronte alle religioni
II 12: Dannazione o salvezza del filosofo?
VI 8: Hegel: filosofia greca e identità europea
VI 9: Hegel: la filosofia e la polis

c) Chap. I 5: I Greci nell’impero e l’eredità filosofica
III 7: Filosofia greca o vita cristiana?
V 3: Vico: perché la filosofia nesce in Grecia?
VII 12: Nazioni nuove ed eredità antiche: Grecia e Italia
VIII 1: Quale filosofia dopo Hegel?
VIII 7: Nietzsche: lo spartiacque Socrate
VIII 10: Nietzsche: filosofia greca e alternative etiche

E) Secondary literature:

Two of the following essays:
- S. Maso, Providential Disorder in Plato's Timaeus, "Peitho" 1.9 (2018), ISSN 2082-7539 pp. 37-52
- C. Natali, Aristotele e il determinismo, in E. Spinelli (a cura di) Libero arbitrio. Storia di una controversia filosofica, Roma : Carocci 2014, pp. 18-30
- J. Dudley, Chance and Aristotle’s Rejection of Determinism, in Aristotle’s Concept of Chance, New-York, SUNY Press, 271-324
- S. Maso, La filosofia stoica e la questione del “libero arbitrio”, in C. Tugnoli (a cura di), Libero arbitrio. Teorie e prassi della libertà, Napoli, Liguori editore 2014. (ISBN 9788820753306), pp. 157-183
- F. Alesse, La rappresentazione catalettica nella Stoa post-crisippea, "Lexicon philosophicum", 2018 (special issue), pp. 145-168.
- E. Spinelli, L’antico intrecciarsi degli scetticismi, in M. De Caro e E. Spinelli, Scetticismo. Una vicenda filosofica, Roma, Carocci 2007, pp. 271-290.
- S. Maso, L’Epistemologia stoica e i suoi fantasmi, 2022, in La natura corporea delle immagini. Da Empedocle a Lucrezio, F. Aronadio, E. Di Iulio, F. Masi (a cura di), Napoli : Istituto italiano per gli Studi filosofici, 2022, pp. 201-226.

The student has to show a detailed knowledge of the historical period concerning Ancient Philosophy. A deep knowledge of the main philosophical topics is required.
His preparation will be tested through: Oral conversation. Discussion of the texts studied during the lectures and of the essays proposed in the bibliography.

The course is developed according to a historical and chronological, and also thematic perspective.
Occasional participation to the conferences of the Ca' Foscari's visiting professors is scheduled.
We practise lectures, a close analysis of some classical texts, and discussions of contemporary studies.

Italian

Handouts and other materials are 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.
The course is developed in two sections; the second one is structured in a seminar way.
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