History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval

PH116

Semester 1, 2017

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LOPEZ.

Wednesday Evenings 7:15pm to 10:15pm

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Class Dates: Jan 18, 25,   Feb 01, 08, 15, 22,   Mar 01, 08, 15, 22, 29,   Apr 05, 12, 19, 26,   May 03, 17, 24,  2017

Examination: May 31, 2017

The first part of this course addresses Greek culture and civilisation which gave rise to Greek philosophy, and traces the development of Greek philosophy from its origins to its highest expression in the golden period and to its decline. The second part of this course focuses on the historical background of Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire and subsequently, the birth, development and decline of Scholastic philosophy. A brief survey of the pre- Augustine period will be made, paying attention to the high points of St Augustine’s thought, as well as the Patristic Philosophy (Ireneus of Lyons, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite). Attention will be given to thinkers of Antiquity to Medieval Times (Severinus Boethius, John Scotus Eriugena). The final part of the course discusses the 13th century philosophers: Bonaventure, Anselm of Canterbury, Peter Abelard, Hugh of St. Victor, Albert the Great, Thomas Aquinas and Duns Scotus. Students will examine the Carolingian Renaissance, the beginning of the Universities and Urban Schools, as well as the main contributions of Medieval Arab and Jewish Philosophy.

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