HISTORY OF ROMAN AND LATE ANTIQUITY PHILOSOPHY

This course fits into the more general domain of the history of philosophy but is characterized by the particular evidence it gives to the translation of philosophical reflection into the theatrical sphere.
It is an innovative course that aims to combine traditional teaching and seminars with a theater training laboratory.

Teaching will proceed according to the following path:
A) A theoretical-problematic study of some key topics of ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, thanks to the study of a theater work.
B) Focus on the ancient poetic conception
C) Setting up of a scientifically correct and efficacious survey method.
D) Perfecting of the dialectical technique
E) Reading of theatrical works in translation
F) Participation (optional) in a theater training workshop.

The student will master the tools of research in the historical-philosophical field and will achieve an adequate knowledge of the key points of the Greek and Roman philosophical tradition thanks to the investigation concerning the ancient theater. He will demonstrate his ability to reflect on the problems of ancient thought in reference to ancient poetics.

A basic knowledge of the History of Ancient Philosophy is required.
A basic knowledge of classical languages is also desirable.

Topics of ancient philosophy at theater
Euripides' Hippolytus and Seneca's Phaedra: the passion between irrationality and rationality

A) - S. Maso, Lingua philosophica Graeca, Milano : Mimesis
B) - S. Maso, Filosofia a Roma. Dalla riflessione sui principi all’arte della vita, Roma : Carocci
C) - Aristotele, Poetica, a cura di P.L. Donini, Torino : Einaudi, 2008
D) - Euripide, Ippolito, a cura di D. Susanetti, Milano, Feltrinelli 2005 (2019)
E) - Seneca, Fedra, a cura di A. Casamento, Roma : Carocci 2011


F) Choice of two essays:
- S. Maso, Teorie stoiche in Seneca tragico, in Studi su ellenismo e filosofia romana, F. Alesse, A. Fermani, S. Maso (a cura di), Roma : Edizioni di Storia e Letteratura, 2017, pp. 3-31.
- A. Costazza, La filosofia a teatro, Milano : Istit. Editoriale universit. Cisalpino, 2009, pp. 9-35
- G. Mazzoli, Il tragico in Seneca, in “Lexis”, 15 (1997), pp. 79-91
- C. Torre, Sur les passions et la tragédie, in Lectures plurielles du «De ira» de Sénèque. Interprétations, contextes,enjeux, V. Laurand, E. Malaspina, F. Prost (éd.), Berlin/Boston : De Gruyter 2021, pp. 277-291
- S. Halliwell, The poetics of emotional expression: some problems of ancient theory, in Emotions in the Classical World, D. Cairns & D. Nelis (eds.), Stuttgart : Steiner 2017, pp. 105-142.

His preparation will be tested through an oral interview, the investigation referring to the texts of the tragedians, the study of secondary literature and the discussion of a term paper.

The course is developed according to a perspective.
Occasional participation to the conferences of Ca' Foscari's visiting professors is scheduled.
We practice a close analysis of some classical theatrical works.
We encourage participation in a theater workshop scheduled for this course.

Italian

Connected to the course, a series of thematic readings has been scheduled, of which timely information will be provided.
The theater workshop organized in connection with this course will be managed by a theater director and will be able to provide attending students with 3 additional credits.

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