Origins of Western Philosophy
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The student of this course will be expected to be acquainted with the following topics: the ambiguous nature of the "presocratic" chronology; the polysemic (philosophical) value of the notion of "arché"; the universalistic scope of the notion of "physis"; the blurry demarcation between "mythos" and "logos" at the so-called origin of Western thought; the proto-scientific significance of the first cosmologies and their relation with archaic cults (Orphism, Mystery cults, etc) and ancient near "East" wisdom; the early development of monistic vis-à-vis pluralist fundamental ontologies; the polarization of the "physis/nomos" debate in the Sophistic movement within the emerging Greek poleis, up to the liminal role of Socrates' oral inquiry under the the democratic regime of Athens.
Expected learning outcomes
1.Knowledge and understanding: Textually-informed knowledge of the archaic origins of Western philosophy and understanding of the "Eastern" side of the traditional historiographical narrative; basic philological awareness in the analysis of ancient texts, whose nature is fragmentary and/or reported.
2.Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: Acquisition of specific key-words, technical vocabulary and fundamental philosophical concepts of the archaic period.
3.Making judgments: capacity to develop an overall theoretical understanding of the history of Presocratic philosophy that must also be historiographically and philologically informed.
4.Communication skills: The ability to formulate reasoned arguments and communicate ideas about the beginnings of Western philosophy.
5.Learning skills: Acquaintance with the main "Presocratic" thinkers' tenets, their most important views, the extant testimonies and the available doxographic tradition in their regard.
2.Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: Acquisition of specific key-words, technical vocabulary and fundamental philosophical concepts of the archaic period.
3.Making judgments: capacity to develop an overall theoretical understanding of the history of Presocratic philosophy that must also be historiographically and philologically informed.
4.Communication skills: The ability to formulate reasoned arguments and communicate ideas about the beginnings of Western philosophy.
5.Learning skills: Acquaintance with the main "Presocratic" thinkers' tenets, their most important views, the extant testimonies and the available doxographic tradition in their regard.
Lesson period: First 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
Course syllabus
The syllabus is shared with the following courses:
- [CAH-16](https://www.unimi.it/en/ugov/of/af20260000cah-16)
- [CAH-16](https://www.unimi.it/en/ugov/of/af20260000cah-16)
M-FIL/06 - HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Cosci Matteo