History of Ancient Metaphysics
PROF. NICOLETTA SCOTTI; PROF. ROBERTO MARIO RADICE
MODULE I: Prof. Nicoletta Scotti
COURSE AIMS
The course has two objectives:
A. To provide a brief but as far as possible complete overview of the various
schools of philosophical thought in late-Antiquity (II-VI centuries A.D.);
B. To focus on the various phases in the rediscovery, reception and influence of
Aristotle’s Metaphysics from I to VI centuries A.D.
COURSE CONTENT
MODULE A:
Neo-Aristotelism, Neo-Pythagorism, Middle and Neo-Platonism, Christian
Platonism.
MODULO B:
1. The "creation" of Metaphysics as a text and speculative complex;
2. Main stages in traditional commentary, Alexander of Aphrodisias (II-III
centuries), Themistius (IV century), Syrianus (IV-V centuries), Asclepius (VIVI centuries);
3. How Aristotle’s metaphysics was received and transformed in Proclus’s
metaphysical system.
READING LIST
MODULE A:
G. REALE, Storia della filosofia greca e romana, Vols. 6-8, Milano, Bompiani, 2004 (parts referred
to at lectures).
L. P. GERSON (ed.), The Cambridge History of Philosophy in Late Antiquity, Cambridge, Cambridge
University Press, 2011 (plus any supplementary and options references).
MODULE B:
ARISTOTELE, Metafisica, edited by Giovanni Reale, Milano, Bompiani, various editions.
Selected texts from:
P. MORAUX, L'aristotelismo presso i greci, Milan, Vita e Pensiero 2000.
R. SORABJI (ed.), Aristotle transformed: the ancient commentators and their influence, Ithaca, NY,
Cornell University Press, 1990.
A. PABST, Metaphysics: The Creation of Hierarchy, Grand Rapids, Michigan/Cambridge U.K,
William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2012.
E. VON IVÁNKA, Platonismo cristiano: recezione e trasformazione del Platonismo nella Patristica,
Milano, Vita e Pensiero, 1992.
W. BEIERWALTES, Proclo: I fondamenti della sua metafisica, Milan, Vita e Pensiero, 19902.
TEACHING METHOD
Lectures for module A. Module B will consist of both lectures and seminar-style study
on the sections referred to on the reading list handed out to students attending lectures.
ASSESSMENT METHOD
Overall assessment will be based on two parts: a final oral examination on module A
and a set section of module B; an oral and/or written paper by students on any chosen topic
from module B.
NOTES
The course may be combined with a module on the History of Ancient Philosophy.
Should this be the case, please state your intention when presenting your study programme,
so that the right codes are inserted. A meeting providing guidelines will be held before the
Christmas holidays. Relevant information will be available from the lecturer’s webpage
from December.
Further information can be found on the lecturer's webpage at
http://docenti.unicatt.it/web/searchByName.do?language=ENG or on the Faculty notice
board.
MODULE: Prof. Roberto Mario Radice
COURSE AIMS
Research into theonomous morals in Greek philosophy. According to JudaicAlexandrian allegoresis, the same passages from Genesis can create a new notion
of theology and also systematic rational morals revealed by God. Philo’s is the first
to be encountered in the history of philosophy
COURSE CONTENT
Philo of Alexandria’s interpretation of Genesis 1 in De opificio mundi and in
Legum allegoriae I-III. comparative analysis of the relevant texts.
READING LIST
ROBERTO RADICE, Allegoria e paradigmi etici in Filone di Alessandria, Vita e Pensiero, 2000.
TEACHING METHOD
The course includes a series of 30 lectures and certain in-depth seminars which will be
announced during lectures and posted on the notice board in the Department of Philosophy.
The whole course (lecture summaries, analysed texts, fragments, personal accounts,
documents, conference material, comprehension sheets, summaries, further study notes and
footnotes, forums, computer personalised correspondence, useful links) will have an online
version (on Blackboard) which will be interactive and updated after each lecture.
ASSESSMENT METHOD
The course culminates with oral tests (based on parts of the programme), student papers
on previously-arranged topics, group work on specific issues and final oral examinations.
NOTES
Further information can be found on the lecturer's webpage at
http://docenti.unicatt.it/web/searchByName.do?language=ENG or on the Faculty notice
board.