Topics and Problems in Ancient Philosophy
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
Students will gain in-depth knowledge and expertise in an ongoing debate in the history of Ancient Philosophy.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will acquire the ability to:
- critically analyse arguments in the history of Ancient Philosophy;
- discuss and compare different philosophical positions in the history of Ancient Philosophy;
- reflect on complex and articulated philosophical arguments, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses;
- take their own position in a philosophical debate and to put forward arguments in support of it;
- communicate the results of their research effectively, also using multimedia techniques to represent information with possible applications in teaching;
- use relational, communicative and organisational skills also in highly complex contexts and in the management of group work;
- transmit the skills obtained also in non-specialist contexts;
- reflect on their own skills and evaluations;
- autonomously research the philosophical sources of a debate or a school of thought;
- independently investigate a philosophical position or theoretical thesis.
- critically analyse arguments in the history of Ancient Philosophy;
- discuss and compare different philosophical positions in the history of Ancient Philosophy;
- reflect on complex and articulated philosophical arguments, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses;
- take their own position in a philosophical debate and to put forward arguments in support of it;
- communicate the results of their research effectively, also using multimedia techniques to represent information with possible applications in teaching;
- use relational, communicative and organisational skills also in highly complex contexts and in the management of group work;
- transmit the skills obtained also in non-specialist contexts;
- reflect on their own skills and evaluations;
- autonomously research the philosophical sources of a debate or a school of thought;
- independently investigate a philosophical position or theoretical thesis.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course examines the principal conceptions of happiness in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy through a series of theoretical models: (1) **Happiness as a flourishing yet fragile life**: the archaic and tragic model, according to which happiness depends on the whole of one's life, on fortune, and on the completion of one's life; (2) **Happiness as the care and order of the soul**: the Socratic-Platonic model and the superiority of the philosophical way of life; (3) **Happiness as activity in accordance with virtue**: the Aristotelian model; (4) **Happiness as pleasure and freedom from disturbance**: the Cyrenaic and Epicurean models; (5) **Happiness as the self-sufficiency of the wise person**: the Cynic and Stoic model, according to which happiness consists in independence from external goods, mastery of the passions, and living in accordance with nature; (6) **Plotinus and happiness as the intelligible life of the soul**.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no prerequisites other than those established by the Degree Programme Regulations. However, a basic knowledge of the history of ancient philosophy is strongly recommended.
Teaching methods
Lectures
Seminars with national and international scholars
Flipped classroom activities (student presentations)
Seminars with national and international scholars
Flipped classroom activities (student presentations)
Teaching Resources
Materials made available by the professor on the Moodle platform.
Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of the following topics: the periodisation of ancient philosophy; Socrates and the Socratic tradition; the structure of Plato's dialogues; Platonic psychology; Eros in Plato; Platonic dialectic; Aristotle's works; Aristotelian psychology; Aristotelian ethics; Aristotelian rhetoric and poetics; Epicureanism; Stoicism; ancient scepticism; the Hellenistic and post-Hellenistic Platonic and Aristotelian traditions; and Plotinus. Students who do not have a solid background in these areas are advised to undertake, as optional supplementary reading:
A. Falcon, F. Forcignanò, *Il pensiero filosofico nel mondo greco. Un itinerario possibile*, Carocci, 2026: Introduction and Chapters 5, 7, 8, 11, 13, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.
Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of the following topics: the periodisation of ancient philosophy; Socrates and the Socratic tradition; the structure of Plato's dialogues; Platonic psychology; Eros in Plato; Platonic dialectic; Aristotle's works; Aristotelian psychology; Aristotelian ethics; Aristotelian rhetoric and poetics; Epicureanism; Stoicism; ancient scepticism; the Hellenistic and post-Hellenistic Platonic and Aristotelian traditions; and Plotinus. Students who do not have a solid background in these areas are advised to undertake, as optional supplementary reading:
A. Falcon, F. Forcignanò, *Il pensiero filosofico nel mondo greco. Un itinerario possibile*, Carocci, 2026: Introduction and Chapters 5, 7, 8, 11, 13, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The assessment is divided into three components:
a. an in-class presentation, to be agreed upon with the instructor, either individually or in groups, on a topic covered during the course or on a closely related subject (see point b);
b. a written paper of approximately four pages, to be submitted at least two weeks before the examination date. Failure to meet this deadline will result in exclusion from the examination session. Students who do not give an in-class presentation are required to submit a paper of approximately eight pages;
c. an oral examination covering the course syllabus.
The assessment criteria are as follows:
* **Presentation:** clarity and organization, communication skills, use and understanding of primary and secondary sources;
* **Written paper:** clarity of exposition and argumentation, use and understanding of primary and secondary sources, and critical analysis;
* **Oral examination:** knowledge of the course content, ability to establish connections between concepts, provide relevant examples, develop analytical arguments, and understand and discuss the primary texts examined during the course.
The presentation and the written paper will not receive separate grades but will be taken into account in determining the final mark, which will be awarded on the Italian 30-point grading scale.
a. an in-class presentation, to be agreed upon with the instructor, either individually or in groups, on a topic covered during the course or on a closely related subject (see point b);
b. a written paper of approximately four pages, to be submitted at least two weeks before the examination date. Failure to meet this deadline will result in exclusion from the examination session. Students who do not give an in-class presentation are required to submit a paper of approximately eight pages;
c. an oral examination covering the course syllabus.
The assessment criteria are as follows:
* **Presentation:** clarity and organization, communication skills, use and understanding of primary and secondary sources;
* **Written paper:** clarity of exposition and argumentation, use and understanding of primary and secondary sources, and critical analysis;
* **Oral examination:** knowledge of the course content, ability to establish connections between concepts, provide relevant examples, develop analytical arguments, and understand and discuss the primary texts examined during the course.
The presentation and the written paper will not receive separate grades but will be taken into account in determining the final mark, which will be awarded on the Italian 30-point grading scale.
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
PHIL-05/B - History of Ancient Philosophy - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte C
PHIL-05/B - History of Ancient Philosophy - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)