History of Medieval Philosophy
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students, through the study of relevant authors and problems, with a general understanding of the history of medieval thought and its contribution to the development of ideas, argumentative forms and philosophical and scientific lexicon. The course also aims to provide students with the cognitive tools that allow them to read critically and comment autonomously on a philosophical text.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- knows the fundamental aspects of the history of Western medieval thought, learning to orient oneself in the historical context, in the traditions, in the problems and in the terminology of a decisive phase of the development of the history of philosophy
- knows the fundamental philosophical lexicon, the literary genres, the argumentative forms of medieval thought
- knows the basic methodological tools of research in the history of philosophy
- understands the relationships connecting the history of Western medieval philosophy to the history of scientific thought, to political history, to society and to theological and religious tradition.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the study path, the student
- can apply the knowledge acquired in the historical context of the authors and texts
- is able to apply the knowledge acquired in vocabulary, argumentation and text analysis to the analysis and interpretation of other texts
- can apply the basic knowledge and reading methods learned in class to other philosophical texts.
At the end of the course, the student
- knows the fundamental aspects of the history of Western medieval thought, learning to orient oneself in the historical context, in the traditions, in the problems and in the terminology of a decisive phase of the development of the history of philosophy
- knows the fundamental philosophical lexicon, the literary genres, the argumentative forms of medieval thought
- knows the basic methodological tools of research in the history of philosophy
- understands the relationships connecting the history of Western medieval philosophy to the history of scientific thought, to political history, to society and to theological and religious tradition.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the study path, the student
- can apply the knowledge acquired in the historical context of the authors and texts
- is able to apply the knowledge acquired in vocabulary, argumentation and text analysis to the analysis and interpretation of other texts
- can apply the basic knowledge and reading methods learned in class to other philosophical texts.
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
[A-K]
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
During the ongoing covid emergency, the course syllabus will be maintained with the following changes made to enhance the effectiveness of the online version of the course, which was originally designed for face-to-face teaching.
The lessons will be held in dual mode. The face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom.
The recordings of the lessons will remain temporarily available.
Teams (keycode in Ariel)
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/technology-and-online-se
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-
The lessons will be held in dual mode. The face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom.
The recordings of the lessons will remain temporarily available.
Teams (keycode in Ariel)
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/technology-and-online-se
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-
Course syllabus
This course is recommended for students attending the second year of the Philosophy course and to all students of other courses of the University of Milan who are interested in medieval philosophy (6 and 9 ECTS).
It aims at providing
1. an introduction to the most important philosophical traditions and major figures of medieval thought
2. a thorough reading of a selection of texts of these authors (in Italian translation)
3. a thorough reading of the treatise on divine omnipotence, authored by Peter Damian (in Italian translation).
No additional teaching activities or exercises are foreseen.
It aims at providing
1. an introduction to the most important philosophical traditions and major figures of medieval thought
2. a thorough reading of a selection of texts of these authors (in Italian translation)
3. a thorough reading of the treatise on divine omnipotence, authored by Peter Damian (in Italian translation).
No additional teaching activities or exercises are foreseen.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no prerequisites
Teaching methods
Lectures and debates.
Teaching Resources
Readings and assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
1. One of the following handbooks
- La filosofia nel Medioevo, in Filosofia cultura cittadinanza, a cura di A. La Vergata-F. Trabattoni, vol. 1, Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 2011, pp. 438-590;
- Il Medioevo, in Filosofia e cultura, a cura di A. La Vergata-F. Trabattoni, vol. 1, Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 2007, pp. 454-481 e pp. 516-689.
The use of other high school or university level handbooks must be agreed in advance with the teacher.
2. Filosofia medievale, a cura di M. Bettetini, L. Bianchi, C. Marmo, P. Porro, Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2004 (a selection of passages)
Additional readings and assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
Pier Damiani, Sull'onnipotenza divina, a cura di R. Limonta, La coda di paglia, Milano 2020.
Additional readings and assignments for non-attending students
L. Bianchi, "L'acculturazione filosofica dell'Occidente" e "Le università e il 'decollo scientifico' dell'Occidente" in La filosofia nelle Università: secoli XIII-XIV, a cura di L. Bianchi, La Nuova Italia, Firenze 1997, pp. 1-61 (available on Ariel)
1. One of the following handbooks
- La filosofia nel Medioevo, in Filosofia cultura cittadinanza, a cura di A. La Vergata-F. Trabattoni, vol. 1, Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 2011, pp. 438-590;
- Il Medioevo, in Filosofia e cultura, a cura di A. La Vergata-F. Trabattoni, vol. 1, Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 2007, pp. 454-481 e pp. 516-689.
The use of other high school or university level handbooks must be agreed in advance with the teacher.
2. Filosofia medievale, a cura di M. Bettetini, L. Bianchi, C. Marmo, P. Porro, Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2004 (a selection of passages)
Additional readings and assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
Pier Damiani, Sull'onnipotenza divina, a cura di R. Limonta, La coda di paglia, Milano 2020.
Additional readings and assignments for non-attending students
L. Bianchi, "L'acculturazione filosofica dell'Occidente" e "Le università e il 'decollo scientifico' dell'Occidente" in La filosofia nelle Università: secoli XIII-XIV, a cura di L. Bianchi, La Nuova Italia, Firenze 1997, pp. 1-61 (available on Ariel)
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 the handbook, of the texts and of the 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).
Non-attending students will not be examined on topics discussed exclusively during the lessons.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the handbook, of the texts and of the 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).
Non-attending students will not be examined on topics discussed exclusively during the lessons.
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/08 - HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/08 - HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/08 - HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
[L-Z]
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
The lessons will be held in dual mode. The face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom.
The recordings of the lessons will remain available until the end of each week.
The recordings of the lessons will remain available until the end of each week.
Course syllabus
This course is recommended for students attending the second year of the Philosophy course and to all students of other courses of the University of Milan who are interested in medieval philosophy (6 and 9 ECTS).
It aims at providing
1. an introduction to the most important philosophical traditions and major figures of medieval thought, in order to provide guidance in preparing for the part of the final examination designed to test knowledge of the development of medieval thought and the context of the more specific topics covered in the second part of the course;
2. a thorough reading of a selection of texts of these main authors (in Italian translation: in Filosofia medievale, a cura di M. Bettetini, L. Bianchi et. al., Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2004);
3. a thorough reading of a selection of pages (in Italian translation) taken from the writings of some of the main late-medieval English political thinkers (William of Ockham, John Fortescue) in which the existence of a series of indelible individual rights is affirmed.
No additional teaching activities or exercises are foreseen.
It aims at providing
1. an introduction to the most important philosophical traditions and major figures of medieval thought, in order to provide guidance in preparing for the part of the final examination designed to test knowledge of the development of medieval thought and the context of the more specific topics covered in the second part of the course;
2. a thorough reading of a selection of texts of these main authors (in Italian translation: in Filosofia medievale, a cura di M. Bettetini, L. Bianchi et. al., Raffaello Cortina, Milano 2004);
3. a thorough reading of a selection of pages (in Italian translation) taken from the writings of some of the main late-medieval English political thinkers (William of Ockham, John Fortescue) in which the existence of a series of indelible individual rights is affirmed.
No additional teaching activities or exercises are foreseen.
Prerequisites for admission
No specific requirements, other than those required for access to the Course of Study
Teaching methods
Lectures
Teaching Resources
1. First of all, in order to acquire an adequate knowledge of the development of medieval thought and of the context in which the theme of the course is placed, all students are required to use one of the following tools:
- La filosofia nel Medioevo, in Filosofia cultura cittadinanza, ed. by A. La Vergata-F. Trabattoni, vol. 1, Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 2011, pp. 438-590;
- Il Medioevo, in Filosofia e cultura, ed. by A. La Vergata-F. Trabattoni, vol. 1, Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 2007, pp. 454-481 and pp. 516-689.
2. Filosofia medievale, ed. by M. Bettetini, L. Bianchi et. al., Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2004, selected pages.
3.1. William of Ockham, Otto questioni circa il potere del papa, in Il filosofo e la politica, ed. by F. Camastra, Milano, Rusconi, 1999, selected pages; John Fortescue, Il governo dell'Inghilterra, ed. by G. Galliano Passalacqua, Genova, Name, 2001, selected pages (available on Ariel);
3.2. B. Tierney, L'idea dei diritti naturali. Diritti naturali, legge naturale e diritto canonico 1150-1625, Bologna, Il Mulino 2002, selected pages (available on Ariel);
3.3. S. Simonetta, Il pensiero di John Fortescue. Costituzione, legge e teoria della proprietà nell'Inghilterra del Quattrocento, Roma, Carocci, 2021, selected pages.
- La filosofia nel Medioevo, in Filosofia cultura cittadinanza, ed. by A. La Vergata-F. Trabattoni, vol. 1, Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 2011, pp. 438-590;
- Il Medioevo, in Filosofia e cultura, ed. by A. La Vergata-F. Trabattoni, vol. 1, Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 2007, pp. 454-481 and pp. 516-689.
2. Filosofia medievale, ed. by M. Bettetini, L. Bianchi et. al., Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2004, selected pages.
3.1. William of Ockham, Otto questioni circa il potere del papa, in Il filosofo e la politica, ed. by F. Camastra, Milano, Rusconi, 1999, selected pages; John Fortescue, Il governo dell'Inghilterra, ed. by G. Galliano Passalacqua, Genova, Name, 2001, selected pages (available on Ariel);
3.2. B. Tierney, L'idea dei diritti naturali. Diritti naturali, legge naturale e diritto canonico 1150-1625, Bologna, Il Mulino 2002, selected pages (available on Ariel);
3.3. S. Simonetta, Il pensiero di John Fortescue. Costituzione, legge e teoria della proprietà nell'Inghilterra del Quattrocento, Roma, Carocci, 2021, selected pages.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination consists of a 30 minutes 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 the handbook, of the texts and of the 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 the handbook, of the texts and of the 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).
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/08 - HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/08 - HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' 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)
Reception:
every Monday, from 10 am to 1 pm
Department of Philosophy, first floor