History of Medieval Philosophy (MA)
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
This course aims at providing students, through the study of relevant authors and problems, with 1) a thorough understanding of the history of medieval thought; 2) the essential critical tools that allow them to read autonomously and critically philosophical texts authored by medieval authors and to analyze their context, their sources, their argumentative forms.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- knows a decisive phase of the development of philosophical and scientific thought through the reading of primary and secondary sources
- understands how scientific traditions, ideas and argumentative forms changed between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance
- has an advanced knowledge of the bibliographical and methodological tools of research in the history of philosophy.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- is able to philologically understand texts and essays examined in class
- is able to clearly and thoroughly expound the problems discussed in these texts and to critically evaluate their interpretations
- can apply the knowledge and reading methods learned in class to other philosophical and scientific texts and problems.
At the end of the course, the student
- knows a decisive phase of the development of philosophical and scientific thought through the reading of primary and secondary sources
- understands how scientific traditions, ideas and argumentative forms changed between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance
- has an advanced knowledge of the bibliographical and methodological tools of research in the history of philosophy.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- is able to philologically understand texts and essays examined in class
- is able to clearly and thoroughly expound the problems discussed in these texts and to critically evaluate their interpretations
- can apply the knowledge and reading methods learned in class to other philosophical and scientific texts and problems.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is open to all students of the degree course in Philosophy (6 and 9 ECTS) and to all students of other courses of the University of Milan who are interested in medieval philosophy.
The course aims at
1) Examining how Aristotle's natural philosophy was received during the thirteenth and the fourteenth century: in particular, a direct reading of texts of philosophers and theologians such as Francis of Marchia, William of Ockham, John Buridan, Thomas Bradwardine, Biagio Pelacani, Nicole Oresme will allow to highlight late medieval debates on motion, time and space, as well as new physical and cosmological hypothesis (impetus, plurality of the worlds, earth rotation)
2) Reconstructing historiographical debates on medieval science and discussing Edward Grant's thesis on the relationship between the development of natural philosophy in medieval universities and the birth of modern science
3) Approaching the controversial issue of the contribution of Humanism to modern science.
The course aims at
1) Examining how Aristotle's natural philosophy was received during the thirteenth and the fourteenth century: in particular, a direct reading of texts of philosophers and theologians such as Francis of Marchia, William of Ockham, John Buridan, Thomas Bradwardine, Biagio Pelacani, Nicole Oresme will allow to highlight late medieval debates on motion, time and space, as well as new physical and cosmological hypothesis (impetus, plurality of the worlds, earth rotation)
2) Reconstructing historiographical debates on medieval science and discussing Edward Grant's thesis on the relationship between the development of natural philosophy in medieval universities and the birth of modern science
3) Approaching the controversial issue of the contribution of Humanism to modern science.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of medieval, renaissance and early modern philosophy
Teaching methods
Lectures and debates
Teaching Resources
Readings and assignments for attending and non-attending students
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
1. E. Grant, Le origini medievali della scienza moderna. Il contesto religioso, istituzionale e intellettuale, PBE Einaudi, Torino 2001
2. late medieval texts on natural philosophy (distributed by the teacher)
3. E. Murdoch, "Filosofia e impresa scientifica nel tardo Medioevo", in Medioevo in discussione. Temi, problemi, interpretazioni del pensiero medievale, a cura di G. Briguglia, Milano, Unicopli 2001, pp. 149-173
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam
1. J.M.H. Thiijssen, "Alcune riflessioni su continuità e trasformazione dell'aristotelismo nella filosofia del Rinascimento (e del Medioevo)", in Medioevo in discussione. Temi, problemi, interpretazioni del pensiero medievale, a cura di G. Briguglia, Milano, Unicopli 2001, pp. 175-200;
2. E. Garin, "Gli umanisti e le scienze", Giornale critico della filosofia italiana 1991, pp. 335-356 (anche in E. Garin, Il ritorno dei filosofi antichi. Ristampa cresciuta del saggio "Gli umanisti e le scienze", Bibliopolis, Napoli 1994, pp. 105-126)
3. L. Bianchi, "Le scienze nel Quattrocento. La continuità della scienza scolastica, gli apporti della filologia, i nuovi ideali del sapere", in C. Vasoli, Le filosofie del Rinascimento, a cura di P. Pissavino, Bruno Mondadori, Milano 2002, pp. 93-112.
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
1. E. Grant, Le origini medievali della scienza moderna. Il contesto religioso, istituzionale e intellettuale, PBE Einaudi, Torino 2001
2. late medieval texts on natural philosophy (distributed by the teacher)
3. E. Murdoch, "Filosofia e impresa scientifica nel tardo Medioevo", in Medioevo in discussione. Temi, problemi, interpretazioni del pensiero medievale, a cura di G. Briguglia, Milano, Unicopli 2001, pp. 149-173
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam
1. J.M.H. Thiijssen, "Alcune riflessioni su continuità e trasformazione dell'aristotelismo nella filosofia del Rinascimento (e del Medioevo)", in Medioevo in discussione. Temi, problemi, interpretazioni del pensiero medievale, a cura di G. Briguglia, Milano, Unicopli 2001, pp. 175-200;
2. E. Garin, "Gli umanisti e le scienze", Giornale critico della filosofia italiana 1991, pp. 335-356 (anche in E. Garin, Il ritorno dei filosofi antichi. Ristampa cresciuta del saggio "Gli umanisti e le scienze", Bibliopolis, Napoli 1994, pp. 105-126)
3. L. Bianchi, "Le scienze nel Quattrocento. La continuità della scienza scolastica, gli apporti della filologia, i nuovi ideali del sapere", in C. Vasoli, Le filosofie del Rinascimento, a cura di P. Pissavino, Bruno Mondadori, Milano 2002, pp. 93-112.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination consists of an oral exam, whose purpose is to test the knowledge and skills acquired by students. The grading system for the final exam is based on a 0-30 scale, 18 being the lowest passing mark. Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of texts and essays examined during the course (knowledge);
- ability to understand concepts and arguments (understanding)
- ability to critically evaluate different interpretations of texts and historical problems (development);
- use of language (exposition)
- knowledge of texts and essays examined during the course (knowledge);
- ability to understand concepts and arguments (understanding)
- ability to critically evaluate different interpretations of texts and historical problems (development);
- use of language (exposition)
Unità didattica A
M-FIL/08 - HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unità didattica B
M-FIL/08 - HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unità didattica C
M-FIL/08 - HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday 14.30-16.30
Studio Ghiacciaia (first floor)