GREEK ORIGINS OF EUROPEAN PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT

This course 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 Medieval Philosophy» (bachelor) is suggested.
A basic knowledge of the History of Ancient Philosophy is required.
A basic knowledge of classical languages is also desirable.

Ancient Stoicism
The collections of H. von Arnim and A.A. Long – D. Sedley

Stoici Antichi (Stoicorum Veterum Fragmenta), raccolti da H. von Armin, a cura di R. Radice, Milano, Rusconi editore

A.A. Long – D.N. Sedley, The Hellenistic philosophers. Vol.1, Translations of the principal sources with philosophical commentary, Cambridge : Cambridge University Press

Two of the following studies, to be chosen:

S. Bobzien, Determinism and Freedom in Stoic Philosophy, Oxford Clarendon Press (cap. 1)
A.J. Voelke, L’idée de volonté dans le stoïcisme, Paris PUF (cap. 5)
M. Pohlenz, La Stoa, Firenze, La Nuova Italia (“L’etica”, pp. 223-318)
S. Maso, Causa efficiens et causa superveniens. The Question of Causality in Seneca and Roman Stoicism, in Aitia II. Avec ou sans Aristote. Le débat sur les causes à l’âge hellénistique et impérial, (éd. C. Natali e C. Viano), Louvain-la-Neuve, Peeters
S. Maso, La filosofia stoica e la questione del libero arbitrio, in Libero arbitrio. Teorie e prassi della libertà (a cura di C. Tugnoli), Genova, Liguori ed.
T. Engberg-Pedersen, Discovering the Good: oikeiosis and kathekonta in Stoic Ethics, in The Norms of Nature. Study in Hellenistic Philosophy, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press
J.B. Gourinat, Prediction of the Future and Co-fatedness, in S. Maso-C. Natali, La catena delle cause, Amsterdam, Hakkert

Further bibliography will be indicated during the lectures.

Written test
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:
1) a written test.
The test includes:
A) Ten multiple choice questions on history of philosophy issues
B) Two open-ended questions on specific topics covered during the lectures

2) Oral discussion of the Stoic texts

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

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

Handouts and other materials available online.

written and 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