HISTORY OF ARABIC PHILOSOPHY

The History of Arabic Philosophy course introduces students to the key aspects of medieval philosophical thought developed in the Arabic language across a vast geographical region, extending from Spain to Iran. It traces the evolution of this tradition, beginning with early theoretical debates and the reception of Greek philosophical works in the 8th century, culminating in the sophisticated synthesis of Averroes (d. 1198), with additional references to the so-called "post-classical" tradition. As part of the broader field of History of Philosophy, this course aims to equip students with essential knowledge and skills related to intellectual practices, foundational texts, major thinkers, philosophical arguments, and the technical vocabulary of established philosophical traditions. Seamlessly integrated into the study of medieval philosophy, the course also engages in dialogue with ancient philosophy, both of which are already included in the curriculum. This comprehensive approach offers students a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the development of philosophical thought throughout the Middle Ages.

The course aims to:

1) Provide students with a foundational understanding of the key themes and figures of medieval Arabic philosophy;
2) Encourage critical engagement with a philosophical text from the Arabic tradition (in Italian translation) and deepen their understanding of its technical vocabulary;
3) Equip students with the tools to understand the transmission dynamics of medieval philosophical texts within the Arabic tradition, in relation to Greek, Syriac, Latin, and Hebrew traditions;
4) Develop students’ awareness of the richness and theoretical significance of Arabic philosophy and its interactions with other philosophical traditions.

While there are no formal prerequisites, a general familiarity with philosophy—particularly ancient philosophy—is strongly recommended.

The course provides an introduction to the medieval philosophical tradition in Arabic, through a selection of representative authors and key philosophical questions. It also includes a monographic section dedicated to the analysis of Averroes' Middle Commentary on Aristotle's Metaphysics, which will be explored after an in-depth historical and philosophical contextualization of both the work and its author. This text, considered lost in Arabic until recently and transmitted in Hebrew and Latin translations, offers us the opportunity to explore how key concepts from Aristotle's Metaphysics were treated within the Arabic tradition. Additionally, it allows us to address some fundamental issues regarding the transmission of Arabic philosophy, particularly in the context of the interactions between Greek, Hebrew, and Latin traditions.

REFERENCE TEXTBOOKS:

Cristina D'Ancona (ed.), Storia della filosofia nell'Islam medievale, Einaudi, 2005 (ISBN: 978-8806170738), volumes 1 and 2.
Matteo Di Giovanni, Averroè, Carocci Editore, 2017 (ISBN: 9788843085491), Chapter 1 ("L'uomo e l'opera"), pp. 23-67.

PRIMARY LITERATURE (MEDIEVAL SOURCES IN ITALIAN TRANSLATION):
-Averroes (Ibn Rushd), Middle Commentary on Aristotle’s Metaphysics: texts provided by the instructor in an Italian translation realized by her on the basis of the Arabic text edited by M. Aouad, S. Di Vincenzo, and H. Fadlallah (Averroes’ Middle Commentary on Aristotle’s Metaphysics - Critical Edition of the Arabic Version, French Translation and English Introduction, Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2023).

The assessment method consists of an oral exam, focusing on the knowledge of textbook materials and primary literature texts analyzed during lectures.

oral

The evalutation will be over 30 points.

The classes will provide all the necessary background to understand the topics treated and the study material. We will also present and critically discuss some of the key authors, referring (when relevant) to the authors' original texts. Additionally, the classes will serve as an opportunity for students to actively engage and discuss the topics based on their own reading of the assigned material.

Italian