History of Philosophy (2016/2017)

Learning outcomes

The course offers an approach to the history of philosophy examined in both a cultural and historical context, through the reading of texts that from various perspectives have enriched philosophical research

Formative aims
The course wishes to give an orientation of the history of philosophy through the reading of several texts which, considered in their cultural and historical context have truly enriched the philosophical research from different perspectives.
Work schedule
During a course held in 1954 Hannah Arendt reasoned upon the origins of the political tradition of the West, grounding especially on Socrates, Plato and the experience of the Greek polis. This course has recently been published as a book entitled Socrates.
This text will be the focus of the course of History of Philosophy 2016/17, starting with an introduction to the figures of Socrates and Plato, in their cultural and historical context, thanks to the reading of the First Book of Plato’s Republic. The course will later focus on Hannah Arendt’s biographical and philosophical path, with particular attention to the phenomenological way of thinking and the connection between thought and action.
Bibliography
- HANNAH ARENDT, Socrates, in The Promise of Politics, Schocken Books, New York 2005, pp. 5-39; it.ed. by Ilaria Possenti with critical essays by Adriana Cavarero and Simona Forti, Raffaello Cortina Edtions, Milano 2015.
- PLATO, La Repubblica, by Franco Sartori, Laterza, Roma - Bari 2016 - First Book, pp. 27-61.
- HANNAH ARENDT, Che cosa resta? Resta la lingua: Una conversazione con Gunter Gaus in H. ARENDT, Antologia. Pensiero, azione e critica nell’epoca dei totalitarismi, a cura di Paolo Costa, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2006, pp. 1-25.
- H. ARENDT, L’umanità in tempi bui. Riflessioni su Lessing, in ARENDT, Antologia…, cit., pp. 210-234.
- H. ARENDT, Martin Heidegger ha ottant’anni, in H. ARENDT, M. HEIDEGGER, Lettere 1925-1975 e altre testimonianze, Torino, Edizioni di Comunità, 2001, pp. 138-149.
Whoever can’t attend the lessons should read the chapter “Hannah Arendt” in C. ZAMBONI, La filosofia donna. Percorsi di pensiero femminile, Verona, Demetra, 1997, pp. 88-102.
[Excepting the first, all the other texts here mentioned can be found as photocopies at the typing office “La Rapida”, Via dell’Artigliere 5, Verona].

Oral examination

STUDENT MODULE EVALUATION - 2016/2017