Philosophy and Education in Classical Antiquity
Academic Year 2024/2025 - Teacher: Rosa Loredana CARDULLOExpected Learning Outcomes
The course in Philosophy and the Formation of Man in Antiquity aims to give students who have already tackled historical-philosophical disciplines in the three-year course a deeper and more monographic knowledge of the thought of an ancient philosopher. This year the choice falls on Aristotle and in particular on his concept of ‘nature’. Aristotle's biological writings constitute a conspicuous part of the philosopher's written output, a sign of his great interest in the world of nature and life (bios). Unlike Plato, founder of metaphysics, Aristotle never ceases to study the sensible world and related phenomena. It is no coincidence that he is considered an ante litteram environmentalist.
Although based on historical sources, interpreted in the light of the most recent and accredited critical literature, the course is not intended to be a classic presentation of the chosen ancient philosopher and thought, as if it were a purely archaeological investigation, but rather deals with ancient themes ‘with contemporary eyes’, privileging those topics and personalities that prove to be still indispensable for the education and orientation of man today.
Although based on historical sources, interpreted in the light of the most recent and accredited critical literature, the course is not intended to be a classic presentation of the chosen ancient philosopher and thought, as if it were a purely archaeological investigation, but rather deals with ancient themes ‘with contemporary eyes’, privileging those topics and personalities that prove to be still indispensable for the education and orientation of man today.
Course Structure
Lectures
Seminar lectures held by PhD students
Possible in itinere tests may be agreed upon during the lectures and will focus on some themes of Aristotelian thought on nature and its transposition in the various historical periods with particular attention to the contemporary
Seminar lectures held by PhD students
Possible in itinere tests may be agreed upon during the lectures and will focus on some themes of Aristotelian thought on nature and its transposition in the various historical periods with particular attention to the contemporary
Required Prerequisites
No special prerequisites are needed other than knowledge of key terms and major issues in the history of ancient philosophy. Three-year courses provide students with this foundation.
Detailed Course Content
Course title: The concept of nature in Aristotle, between physics, biology and psychology.
Course 2024/2025 on Philosophy and the Formation of Man in Antiquity will focus on Aristotelian thought and in particular on one of the most topical aspects of the Stagirite's philosophy: the philosophy of nature, expounded above all in the second book of the Physics. Aristotle's conception of the sensible world is at the basis of the ancient concept of science, which - together with the inductive and deductive methods of knowledge - will form the foundation of epistemology up to the dawn of modern science.
Aristotle's thought will be presented in its entirety through an agile monographic textbook. The concept of nature will be studied through the annotated reading of the text of Physics II and the support of a recent reading guide.
Course 2024/2025 on Philosophy and the Formation of Man in Antiquity will focus on Aristotelian thought and in particular on one of the most topical aspects of the Stagirite's philosophy: the philosophy of nature, expounded above all in the second book of the Physics. Aristotle's conception of the sensible world is at the basis of the ancient concept of science, which - together with the inductive and deductive methods of knowledge - will form the foundation of epistemology up to the dawn of modern science.
Aristotle's thought will be presented in its entirety through an agile monographic textbook. The concept of nature will be studied through the annotated reading of the text of Physics II and the support of a recent reading guide.
Textbook Information
- R.L. Cardullo, Aristotele. Profilo introduttivo, Roma Carocci
- Andrea Falcon, La natura secondo Aristotele. Guida alla lettura di Fisica II, Roma Carocci, 2024
- Aristotele, Fisica II (materials provided by professor Cardullo on Studium)Learning Assessment
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Examples of questions could be these (which, however, cannot exhaust the pool of questions posed during the exam. In fact, the exam will reflect exactly the topics covered in class):
Examples of questions could be these (which cannot, however, exhaust the range of questions posed during the exam. In fact, the exam will reflect exactly the topics covered in class):
Aristotle, life and works
Aristotelian physics
Aristotelian biology
Aristotelian psychology
Aristotelian ethics
Aristotelian metaphysics
logic and dialectics in Aristotle
The Concept of Nature in the Second Book of Physics
The theory of causes in Physics II
Art-Nature Analogy
Aristotelian concepts of act and power, matter and form
The Science of Nature in Aristotle
Sublunar and Supralunar Worlds in Aristotelian Physics
The relevance of Aristotelian philosophy of nature
Examples of questions could be these (which cannot, however, exhaust the range of questions posed during the exam. In fact, the exam will reflect exactly the topics covered in class):
Aristotle, life and works
Aristotelian physics
Aristotelian biology
Aristotelian psychology
Aristotelian ethics
Aristotelian metaphysics
logic and dialectics in Aristotle
The Concept of Nature in the Second Book of Physics
The theory of causes in Physics II
Art-Nature Analogy
Aristotelian concepts of act and power, matter and form
The Science of Nature in Aristotle
Sublunar and Supralunar Worlds in Aristotelian Physics
The relevance of Aristotelian philosophy of nature