Philosophies of nature and language in the Middle Ages

Be aware of the link between society, philosophical ideas and practices in the Middle Ages through the deepening of conceptual structures that characterize the increasing ability to respond appropriately to demand of rationality. Acquire for this purpose a method of critical reading and interpretation of medieval philosophical texts. In detail, achieve the following objectives (Dublin Descriptors)

1)    Knowledge and understanding of philosophical ideas and practices formulated in the Middle Ages;

2)    Ability to apply knowledge and understanding to the link between society and philosophies;

3)  Autonomy of judgment in recognizing the demand for rationality;

  4) Communication skills in the acquisition of a critical reading method of medieval texts;

5) Learning ability of the conceptual structures characterizing the growth

The teaching method is based on the deepening of the main themes of the history of medieval thought and philosophy during frontal lessons, which take into account the needs and shortcomings of the students. This needs

The main historiographic “strands” related to medieval philosophy; selection of complete editions and specialized studies devoted to texts and authors of the logical-linguistic and philosophical-naturalistic tradition

A. Philosophy of nature and dialectics in the first book of the John Eriugena’s Periphyseon (414 pp.):

Texts: 

-  Giovanni Scoto, Periphyseon, in Id., Sulle nature dell’universo. Libro primo, a cura di Peter Dronke, Einaudi, Torino 2012, pp. 3-232 (solo dispari).

-  Concetto Martello, Analogia e Fisica in Giovanni Scoto, La Nuova Italia, Firenze 1990, pp. 11-152.

-  Armando Bisogno, Il metodo carolingio. Identità culturale e dibattito teologico nel secolo IX, Brepols, Turnhout 2008, pp. 289-386.

-Peter Dronke, Introduzione, in Sulle nature dell’universo. Libro primo, a cura di Peter Dronke, Einaudi, Torino 2012, pp. XI-LXXIII.

B. Logic and ethics in the Letters of Abelard and Eloisa (437 pp.) Texts:

-  Abelardo ed Eloisa, Lettere, a cura di Nada Cappelletti Truci, Einaudi, Torino 1979, pp. 1-271 (solo dispari).

-  Etienne Gilson, Eloisa e Abelardo, Einaudi, Torino 1950, pp. 11-219.

-  Piero Zerbi, Un recente dibattito sull’autenticità della «Historia calamitatum» e della corrispondenza tra Abelardo ed Eloisa, in Studi di letteratura e di Storia in memoria di Antonio Di Pietro, Vita e Pensiero, Milano 1977, pp. 3-43.

-  Cesare Vasoli, Introduzione, in Abelardo ed Eloisa, Lettere, a cura di Nada Cappelletti Truci, Einaudi, Torino 1979, pp. VII-XLVIII.

Mariateresa Fumagalli Beonio Brocchieri, Eloisa e Abelardo, Laterza, Bari.Roma 2014, pp. 3-175.

Please remember that in compliance with art 171 L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.

For further information on sanctions and regulations concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian Association on Copyright).

- Philosophical thought in the Carolingian age;

- The negative theology of Giovanni Eriugena;

- Dialectics and theology in Periphyseon; - The philosophical profile of Pietro Abelardo;

- The cultural personality of Eloisa of Paris;

- Dialectics and life in the Letters of Eloisa and Abelardo.