PHILOSOPHICAL ANTHROPOLOGY OF THE MIDDLE AGES AND OF THE RENAISSANCE
Learning outcomes of the course unit
The course aims to achieve the following educational objectives:
- in-depth knowledge of the most important aspects and authors as for the construction of the philosophical anthropology in the Middle Ages and Renaissance; ability to understand and analyze the philosophical and scientific text; knowledge of the specific terminology (1st Dublin descriptor);
- ability to reconstruct in critical way the genesis and the historical-philosophical development of a concept, theme or philosophical position (2nd Dublin descriptor);
- ability to analyze and synthesize correctly and completely the most significant aspects of the course; ability to identify key concepts by making appropriate connections and comparisons between epochs and cultural contexts; ability to express reasoned judgments and to structure a clearly and logically coherent argument; ability to reorganize the contents in a personal, critical and documented way, with an autonomous and aware use of the specific terminology (3rd, 4th and 5th Dublin descriptor).
Prerequisites
Knowledge of the history of medieval and Renaissance philosophy, and a basic knowledge of Latin language are fundamental prerequisites for attending the course. English language is essential in order to understand some of the texts included in the bibliography.
Course contents summary
Philosophy and Medicine in Medieval and Renaissance Anthropology.
Course contents
The course aims to present some of the main moments of the construction of medieval anthropology and its legacy. It will consider the reception and reworking of ancient and late ancient philosophical sources by the Fathers of the Church, and the contributions of the medical theories developed by Hippocrates and Galen, illustrating the fruitful dialogue between philosophical and medical-scientific discourse through the ages and spaces of medieval culture.
Recommended readings
A) Works
Aurelio Agostino, La città di Dio, libri XIII-XIV (any edition).
Nemesio di Emesa, La natura dell’uomo, a cura di Moreno Morani e Giulia Regoliosi, Bologna, Edizioni Studio Domenicano, 2018, chapters 1, 2, 3.
Guglielmo di Saint-Thierry, La natura del corpo e dell’anima, a cura di Alberto Siclari, Firenze, Nardini Editore, 1991, books 1-2.
Jole Agrimi, Chiara Crisciani, Malato, medico e medicina nel Medioevo, Torino, Loescher, 1980, pp. 65-94; 100-138; 144-172; 179-214; 220-252; 259-301 (photocopies provided by the teacher in digital format).
B) Essays (photocopies provided by the teacher in digital format)
Jole Agrimi, Chiara Crisciani, Carità e assistenza nella civiltà cristiana medievale, in Mirko D. Grmek (a cura di), Storia del pensiero medico occidentale, vol. 1, Antichità e Medioevo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 20072, pp. 217-259.
Danielle Jacquart, La scolastica medica, in Mirko D. Grmek (a cura di), Storia del pensiero medico occidentale, vol. 1, Antichità e Medioevo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 20072, pp. 261-322.
Jerome L. Bylebyl, Medicine, Philosophy, and Humanism in Renaissance Italy, in John W. Shirley, F. David Hoeniger (eds.), Science and the Arts in the Renaissance, Washington, The Folger Shakespeare Library – London and Toronto, Associated University Presses, 1985, pp. 27-49.
C) Optional essays (photocopies provided by the teacher in digital format)
Jacques Jouanna, La nascita dell’arte medica occidentale, in Mirko D. Grmek (a cura di), Storia del pensiero medico occidentale, vol. 1, Antichità e Medioevo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 20072, pp. 3-72.
Mario Vegetti, Tra il sapere e la pratica: la medicina ellenistica, in Mirko D. Grmek (a cura di), Storia del pensiero medico occidentale, vol. 1, Antichità e Medioevo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 20072, pp. pp. 73-120.
Danielle Gourevitch, Le vie della conoscenza: la medicina nel mondo romano, in Mirko D. Grmek (a cura di), Storia del pensiero medico occidentale, vol. 1, Antichità e Medioevo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 20072, pp. pp. 121-165.
Teaching methods
Due to the protraction of health emergency of coronavirus, all classes will be conducted remotely by the teacher through recorded lectures, that will be uploaded on Elly platform. In addition, three live meetings on Google Meet platform are scheduled, according to the following plan:
- 23rd February: https://meet.google.com/vsu-ggqw-psh (presentation of the course),
- 23rd March: https://meet.google.com/tih-zdny-inc,
- 13th April: https://meet.google.com/svf-nfmb-qbi (conclusion of the course).
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam consists of an oral interview aimed at ascertaining the knowledge of the topics covered in the course and the argumentation skills.
Other informations
Non-attending students are expected to contact the teacher via e-mail to arrange an appointment.
