This course, aimed primarily for beginners, aims to provide a preliminary introduction to philosophical studies, with a focus on the acquisition of specific terminology and the analysis of some relevant conceptual issues. The aim is to enable students to benefit from a versatile approach to philosophy in their first year, useful for their chosen course of study.

Through the reading, commentary and discussion of parts of Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Metaphysics, the course aims to be an introduction to two classics, the knowledge of which is fundamental to philosophical studies. Furthermore, it aims to train students in the analysis of a philosophical text and, through the examination of various interpretations given by scholars, in the use of critical literature.

The course aims to promote the following specific educational objectives:

- to acquire knowledge of the fundamental concepts of philosophy

- to develop the ability to read and understand a classical text of philosophy;

- to develop the ability to criticize and interpret a text or theory.

The course includes a brief introduction to the meaning of “theoretical philosophy”. The reflections of Plato and Aristotle are presented as expressions of a dialectical philosophy; special attention will be paid to the philosophical style, i.e. the forms of dialogue and refutation. Furthermore, with the help of Pierre Hadot's text, the relationship between philosophy and life will be reflected upon.

More specifically, the course will address the following topics in the order indicated below:

1.     Introduction on the meaning of "theoretical philosophy".

2.     Republic I: what is justice.

3.     Republic II: justice in the polis.

4.     Republic II: education and poetry, the relationship between mythos and logos.

5.     Republic II and III: the dangers of literature.

6.     Republic VI and VII: the theory of ideas; the relationship between ontology and epistemology; the myth of the cave; the role of images.

7.     Republic X: the critique of mimetic art.

8.     Metaphysics I: wisdom and the science of first causes.

9.     Metaphysics I: prime philosophy in Aristotle's predecessors.

10.  Metaphysics IV: prime philosophy as the science of being as being.

11.  Metaphysics IV: the principle of contradiction: exposition and defense of the principle.

12.  Metaphysics VI: the theoretical sciences (physics, mathematics and theological science); being as an accident; the true and the false.

13.  Metaphysics XII: sensible substances and the immovable substance as first unmoved mover.

Prerequisites are not required.

Knowledge and understanding

The student should be able to understand and explain the philosophical texts examined in the course, master philosophical terminology, and critically discuss the topics covered.

Applying knowledge and understanding

The student should be able to master the essential theoretical and lexical tools for an autonomous interpretation of a philosophical work.

Autonomy of judgement (making judgements)

The student must demonstrate autonomy of judgement in the evaluation of the philosophical theories studied. In the assessment of learning, particular attention will be paid to the student's ability to personally rework the knowledge.

Communication skills

The student should have acquired the necessary elements to present the essential features of a philosophical theory to an audience, possibly even a non-specialist one.

Learning skills

The student should be able to acquire new knowledge and skills, so as to be able to access further levels of education.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

There are no didactic support activities.

Teaching

Lectures, seminars.

Innovative teaching methods

Debate

Attendance

The course requires a regular attendance (at least 2/3 of the lessons). Alternatively, please make use of the information for not attending students.

Course books

A) Texts:

Platone, Repubblica, ed by M. Vegetti, Rizzoli, Milano 2006.

Aristotele, Metafisica, ed by E Berti, Laterza, Bari-Roma, 2017; or ed by M. Zanatta, Rizzoli, Milano 2009.

.
B) Literature:

P. Hadot, Che cos’è la filosofia antica, Einaudi, Torino, 1995.

F. Ferrari, La Repubblica di Platone, il Mulino, Bologna 2022.

M. Vegetti, Guida alla lettura della Repubblica di Platone, Laterza, Roma-Bari 1999.

P. Donini, La Metafisica di Aristotele, Carocci, Roma 2007.

F. Fronterotta, La Metafisica di Aristotele, il Mulino, Bologna 2024

C) General Introductions to Plato and Aristotle:

F. Ferrari, Introduzione a Platone, il Mulino, Bologna 2018.

C. Natali, Aristotele, Carocci, Roma 2014.

F. Trabattoni, La filosofia di Platone, Carocci, Roma 2020.

M. Vegetti – F. Ademollo, Incontro con Aristotele, Einaudi, Torino 2016.

Altri testi di letteratura critica saranno indicati durante il corso.

Other critical literature texts will be indicated during the course.

Assessment

An oral examination on the texts of Plato and Aristotle indicated under (A) and on two texts of your choice from those indicated under (B) and (C).

Students' knowledge of the philosophical theories dealt with during the course will be subject to an evaluation.

Particular attention is given to the expository capacity with appropriate terminology of philosophical theories as well as to the ability to understand and explain passages from the texts that have been studied.

Students will be expected to develop a critical approach with regard to the theories studied. In evaluating students, particular attention will be given to their ability to reformulate in their own terms the ideas encountered in coursework and to their ability to make comparisons between the various thinkers they have studied.

- Criteria for an evaluation of excellence: a clear exposition with an appropriate terminology of the theories studied; a thorough knowledge of the texts read and commented on during the course; the ability to connect the various theories; the possession of good critical and in-depth skills.

- Criteria for a discrete evaluation: a clear, albeit mnemonic, exposition of the theories studied; a good knowledge of the texts read and commented on during the course; a relative ability to connect the various theories; the possession of a relative critical capacity.

- Criteria for a sufficient evaluation: a minimal knowledge of the theories studied, even in the presence of some training gaps; a minimum knowledge of the texts read and commented on during the course; the use of inappropriate language.

- Criteria for a negative evaluation: poor knowledge of the theories studied; evident training gaps; lack of knowledge of the texts read and commented on during the course; the use of an inappropriate language.

A partial examination will take place in the period 14-17 April 2025. The partial examination will be oral and will focus on the part of the program covered in the first part of the course (Plato). Students opting for the partial examination must take a second examination (on Aristotle) by the September session. If he/she is not satisfied with the result of the partial examination, he/she may, at his/her request, take the examination on the entire program.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Not attending students can contact the teacher in the office hours to ask for explanations about the content of the tests for the exam.

Attendance

Please contact the teacher at least three months in advance of the scheduled date of the exam.

Course books

A) Texts:

Platone, Repubblica, ed by M. Vegetti, Rizzoli, Milano 2006.

Aristotele, Metafisica, ed by E Berti, Laterza, Bari-Roma, 2017; or ed by M. Zanatta, Rizzoli, Milano 2009.

.
B) Literature:

P. Hadot, Che cos’è la filosofia antica, Einaudi, Torino, 1995.

F. Ferrari, La Repubblica di Platone, il Mulino, Bologna 2022.

M. Vegetti, Guida alla lettura della Repubblica di Platone, Laterza, Roma-Bari 1999.

P. Donini, La Metafisica di Aristotele, Carocci, Roma 2007.

F. Fronterotta, La Metafisica di Aristotele, il Mulino, Bologna 2024

C) General Introductions to Plato and Aristotle:

F. Ferrari, Introduzione a Platone, il Mulino, Bologna 2018.

C. Natali, Aristotele, Carocci, Roma 2014.

F. Trabattoni, La filosofia di Platone, Carocci, Roma 2020.

M. Vegetti – F. Ademollo, Incontro con Aristotele, Einaudi, Torino 2016.

Altri testi di letteratura critica saranno indicati durante il corso.

Assessment

An oral examination on the texts of Plato and Aristotle indicated under (A) and on two texts of your choice from those indicated under (B) and (C).

Students' knowledge of the philosophical theories dealt with during the course will be subject to an evaluation.

Particular attention is given to the expository capacity with appropriate terminology of philosophical theories as well as to the ability to understand and explain passages from the texts that have been studied.

Students will be expected to develop a critical approach with regard to the theories studied. In evaluating students, particular attention will be given to their ability to reformulate in their own terms the ideas encountered in coursework and to their ability to make comparisons between the various thinkers they have studied.

- Criteria for an evaluation of excellence: a clear exposition with an appropriate terminology of the theories studied; a thorough knowledge of the texts read and commented on during the course; the ability to connect the various theories; the possession of good critical and in-depth skills.

- Criteria for a discrete evaluation: a clear, albeit mnemonic, exposition of the theories studied; a good knowledge of the texts read and commented on during the course; a relative ability to connect the various theories; the possession of a relative critical capacity.

- Criteria for a sufficient evaluation: a minimal knowledge of the theories studied, even in the presence of some training gaps; a minimum knowledge of the texts read and commented on during the course; the use of inappropriate language.

- Criteria for a negative evaluation: poor knowledge of the theories studied; evident training gaps; lack of knowledge of the texts read and commented on during the course; the use of an inappropriate language.

A partial examination will take place in the period 14-17 April 2025. The partial examination will be oral and will focus on the part of the program covered in the first part of the course (Plato). Students opting for the partial examination must take a second examination (on Aristotle) by the September session. If he/she is not satisfied with the result of the partial examination, he/she may, at his/her request, take the examination on the entire program.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

The teacher is available for the students in the appropriate office hours, for explanations and additional bibliographic information on the exam program.