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Medieval Philosophy (B-KUL-W0W24A)

6 ECTSEnglish39 Second termCannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Friedman Russell
POC Philosophy (internationaal)

Aims

The purpose of this course is to make the student familiar with the historical context, important thinkers and themes in medieval philosophy.

 At the end of the course the student should:

  • know the general development of medieval philosophy, from ca. 400-1400 AD, in the Christian, Arabic, and Jewish philosophical traditions;
  • with regard to selected topics in medieval philosophy be able to discuss their background in ancient and in medieval philosophy; in Judaism, Christianity, or Islam; and in the educational and religious institutions of medieval Europe (e.g., universities, mendicant orders);
  • be able to summarize and explain, compare and contrast several authors on certain specific topics in medieval philosophy discussed in class, referring to assigned texts;
  • have enough background and practice that they can orientate themselves in a medieval philosophical text, being able to pick out and describe its main themes and arguments in a short paper;
  • describe some ways in which medieval philosophy presents alternative philosophical intuitions to our contemporary philosophy, and see how this might be valuable in helping to challenge some of our current philosophical assumptions.

Previous knowledge

No knowledge of Latin or of medieval philosophy is required. However, some background in ancient and medieval philosophy, in western religion, and in metaphysics, ethics, and logic may be helpful. In addition, an openmindedness and a willingness to challenge one's own philosophical presuppositions, as well as a good knowledge of English (all primary readings are in English translation), are important.

Identical courses

This course is identical to the following courses:
W0EA9A : History of Philosophy: Medieval Philosophy (No longer offered this academic year)

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

6 ects. Medieval Philosophy (B-KUL-W0W24a)

6 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture39 Second term
Friedman Russell
POC Philosophy (internationaal)

Content

The course offers an historical survey of medieval philosophy, focusing on medieval Christian philosophy, but also exploring medieval Arabic and Jewish philosophy.

It deals with the following historical context and basic concepts:

  • medieval philosophy: problems of characterisation and periodisation;
  • general overview of medieval philosophy;
  • sources of medieval thinking;
  • literary genres (commentaries, disputations) and institutions (courts, schools, universities);
  • logic and philosophy in the middle ages;
  • theology and philosophy in the middle ages.

In general, each class is built up around a text or a set of texts by one or more authors on one specific issue in medieval philosophy.

Examples of topics are: free will, divine names, cognition and knowledge, (virtue) ethics, faith and reason, divine foreknowledge and future contingents, eternity of the world, motion and change.

Examples of authors are: Augustine, Boethius, John Scottus Eriugena, Anselm, Avicenna, al-Ghazali, Abelard, Averroes, Maimonides, Thomas Aquinas, Henry of Ghent, John Duns Scotus, Meister Eckhart, Gersonides, William Ockham, John Buridan, Christine de Pizan.

In 2024-2025, the seminar will be taught by Roberto Zambiasi.

Course material

A reader of medieval philosophical texts in English translation, along with supporting material from the teacher, can be purchased from NFK's course service

Textbook: John Marenbon, Medieval Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2016)

Recommended reading (for the really ambitious): Armand Maurer, Medieval Philosophy: an Introduction (Toronto: PIMS, 1982) or John Marenbon, Medieval Philosophy. An Historical and Philosophical Introduction (Routledge, 2007)

Format: more information

Students must read closely and think about the medieval philosophical texts assigned, study the textbook, take notes and absorb the content of the lectures. The students are encouraged to ask questions during the lectures, and to challenge the teacher and the philosophical views being presented.

In a separate seminar session that takes place once every week or every two weeks, the students consider supplementary medieval philosophical texts. Attendance in the seminar sessions is mandatory (no more than 1 session can be missed without an excuse from the ombuds person).

Evaluation

Evaluation: Medieval Philosophy (B-KUL-W2W24a)

Type : Partial or continuous assessment with (final) exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Written, Paper/Project, Participation during contact hours, Take-Home
Type of questions : Open questions
Learning material : None

Explanation


The evaluation for this course consists of the following parts:

1. A written exam during the examperiod. This exam consists of essay questions that focus on material dealt with throughout the semester in class and in the textbook. The exam is closed book, but students may bring a bilingual dictionary (e.g., English-Dutch/Dutch-English) (50%)

2. A written class preparation, to be submitted during the semester, dealing with the reading for one lecture (15%)

3. A short take-home written assignment on an aspect of the material discussed in the seminar sessions (35%)

4. attendance and active participation in the seminar (pass/fail)

Students who do not submit their written class preparation during the semester will receive a zero (0) for that part of the evaluation, with no possibility to redo it. Unsatisfactory attendance in the seminar will result in a final grade of “NA” (not taken).

Students are expected to inform themselves about the faculty guidelines for papers and bibliographical referencing and about the faculty guidelines with regard to plagiarism.

Information about retaking exams

Only parts 1 and 3 of the evaluation can be retaken. If the student fails the course, only the parts of the evaluation that were failed can be retaken.

Partial grades are never carried over to the next academic year.