Medieval Philosophy I

Code:

FILO022

Acronym:

FMED1

Instance: 2013/2014 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Philosophy
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Philosophy

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
FILO	56	FILO - Study Plan	2	-	6	4

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The long period known as the Middle Ages and the negative characteristics commonly associated to it requires a critical approach, both distant and internal, to the philosophy of authors who lived between the fall of the “two” Roman empires, the Western one in 476 and the Eastern one in 1453, a period conventionally known as the “Middle Ages”. There are historical and cultural elements that are indispensable for understanding the problems and dynamics of philosophy during this millennium. The characterisation of literary forms, terminology, methods, schools and “interests” of Philosophy during the Middle Ages, as well as the periodisation of the successive “translations” and “renaissances” of thought during this period, allow students to understand how and why philosophy was made during the Middle Ages (§§ 1-2). More than merely presenting a historical succession of authors and school, emphasis will be placed on the study of problems, arguments and ideas, through readings of a set of selected texts (cf. § 3).

Learning outcomes and competences

Understanding the historical nature of the problems and texts studied. Understanding the chronology of authors and problems. Expose clearly the concepts and problems studied.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Do not apply.

Program

PHILOSOPHY AND PHILOSOPHIES IN THE MIDDLE AGES

1. Historical and philosophical position of thought in the Middle Ages - The multiple middle ages and their specificities: what are the criteria of demarcation? - Rhythms and expressions of diversity of philosophies and philosophy during the Middle Ages. Reading resources: V-XIV centuries.

2. Specificities of philosophy in the Middle Ages. Problems, contexts, authors and thoughts. - The confluence and the conflict of traditions: the Hellenistic-Roman, Patristic, Arabic, Jewish matrices. Against the other: between the old and the modern. -Translationes studiorum. - The invention of problems, concepts, types of discussion, of institutions.

3. Introduction to core issues of medieval thought Principles: I) Being, knowledge and truth (Augustine of Hippo, Thomas Aquinas) Applications: II)The cause of things and the arguments for the existence of God (Anselm, Thomas Aquinas) III) The universals (Severine Boethius, Abelard) IV)The purposes of man: knowledge and happiness (Boethius of Dacia and Thomas Aquinas).

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

The basic bibliography is shown on the CU moodle page.

The required reading texts are available on CU moodle page.

Mandatory literature

Libera, Alain de; La^philosophie médiévale. ISBN: 2-13-0474748
Gilson, Etienne, 1884-1978; History of christian philosophy in the midddle ages. ISBN: 0-7220-4114-4

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theory-practical classes (lectures, reading and discussion of texts). The different topics of the programme will be addressed in the texts of medieval authors and their interpretations. The selected texts will be read and discussed in class. Students are required and encouraged to participate in class, by presenting research assignments.

keywords

Humanities > Philosophy
Humanities > History > History of philosophy > Medieval philosophy

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Participação presencial	20,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	80,00
Frequência das aulas	52,00
Trabalho de investigação	30,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

In accordance with the Assessment Regulations in force

Calculation formula of final grade

The evaluation includes three elements: - Attendance 20% - Written work for delivery through the moodle page by 15 November (subjects will be announced by the teacher); - Final exam: 50%.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable

Internship work/project

Not applicable

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Not applicable

Classification improvement

According to the regulations in force.