HISTORY OF HELLENISTIC AND ROMAN PHILOSOPHY - I

The course is part of the more general framework of the history of philosophy and aims to study in depth authors, themes and problems of Greek and Roman thought. The course aims to study, in particular, from a historical and analytical perspective a specific theme, through the reading and commentary of one or more classical philosophical texts, in translation with the original text opposite, as well as to explain their relevance for the further developments of the philosophical thought.

By the end of the course, students should possess
1) a thorough knowledge of the author, the subject matter and the texts dealt with.
2) a technical and specific terminology.
2) the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to the critical study of philosophical texts; to discuss theoretical and exegetical issues and solutions in an argued and relevant manner;
3) the ability to expound and communicate comprehensively and effectively in oral and written form the contents learned.

Have a basic knowledge of the history of ancient, Hellenistic and late ancient philosophy acquired through the study of a good textbook (recommended F. Ferrari, La filosofia antica, Le Monnier Universitaria, Milano 2024). Having attended History of Philosophy sp. II

This course constitutes the second part of a course consisting of two modules of 16, devoted to the study of ancient hedonism. In particular, this second module will deal with the nature of pleasure, its relation to goodness and virtue, within the framework of the ethical theories of Aristotle, the Peripatetics and Epicurus. The course will be divided into two parts. The first will examine the passages in which Aristotle addresses the theme of pleasure within the broader framework of his investigation of the ultimate human good in the Nicomachean Ethics (books I, II, VII, X) and will analyse the development of these discussions in the Peripatetic school. In the second part, the hedonism of Epicurus and the Epicureans will also be examined in the light of the debates with other philosophical schools. The moral writings of Epicurus, the ethical doctrines of the Epicureans (Lucretius, Philodemus and Diogenes of Enoanda), and some significant passages from Cicero's works (in particular of the De finibus) will therefore be examined.

Aristotele, Etica Nicomachea, trad. it C. Natali, Laterza, Roma Bari.
Epicuro, Scritti Morali, trad. it C. Diano, Bur, Milano
Lucrezio, De rerum natura, trad. it L. Canali, Bur, Milano
F. Verde, Epicuro, Carocci 2013
Altri testi saranno indicati a lezione

Preparation will be tested by means of an examination interview in which the historical-philosophical understanding of the topics addressed will be ascertained; the acquisition of specialised vocabulary; logical-argumentative skills applied to the analysis of texts. The writing and presentation of a thesis will be required.

oral

Grading will be determined as follows
historical and philosophical understanding of the topics addressed: up to 10 points;
writing and presentation of a thesis: up to 10 points;
acquisition of specialist vocabulary: up to 5 points;
logical argumentative ability applied to the analysis of texts: up to 5 points.

Lectures, seminars, conferences

Guidance will be given on how to organise a presentation and how to write a paper
Materials will be available in Moodle from the first day of class