General information

Course type AMUPIE
Module title Ancient Philosophy of Mind
Language English
Module lecturer prof. UAM dr hab. Maria Marcinkowska-Rosół
Lecturer's email marmarro@amu.edu.pl
Lecturer position Professor
Faculty Faculty of Polish and Classical Philology
Semester 2021/2022 (summer)
Duration 15
ECTS 2
USOS code 03-AP-MLAP

Timetable

Module aim (aims)

- to gain knowledge of ancient concepts of mind, intellect, soul etc. on the wider basis of ancient philosophical theories

- to gain knowledge of the epistemological and psychological problems discussed in ancient philosophical texts

- to understand the basic philosophical problems concerning mind and cognition

- to be able to link the ancient theories of mind to the modern body-mind problem and to see the relevance of ancient ideas to modern philosophical discussions

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

The knowledge of ancient Greek language is not necessary to participate in the course. Previous knowledge of the ancient philosophy is not required either. All students interested in the origins of modern European culture are welcome.

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction into the philosophy of mind

Week 2: Psychology in the Greek archaic epics (1)

Week 3: Psychology in the Greek archaic epics (2)

Week 4: Pre-Socratic ideas concerning the human and divine mind (1)

Week 5: Pre-Socratic ideas concerning the human and divine mind (2)

Week 6: Plato’s philosophy of mind (1)

Week 7: Plato’s philosophy of mind (2)

Week 8: Aristotle’s philosophy of mind (1)

Week 9: Aristotle’s philosophy of mind (2)

Week 10: Stoic concept of mind (1)

Week 11: Stoic concept of mind (2)

Week 12: Epicurean concept of mind (1)

Week 13: Epicurean concept of mind (2)

Week 14: Mind in Plotinus (1)

Week 15: Mind in Plotinus (2)

Reading list

1) Bremmer J., The early Greek concept of soul, Princeton 1983.

2) Long H.S., A Study of the Doctrine of Methempsychosis in Greece from Pythagoras to Plato, Princeton 1948.

3) Frede, D. & Burkhard, R. (eds.), Body and Soul in Ancient Philosophy. Berlin?- New York, Walter de Gruyter 2009.

4) Long, A. A. Greek Models of Mind and Self; Revealing antiquity; Harvard University Press: Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2015.

5) Annas, J., Hellenistic Philosophy of Mind; Hellenistic culture and society; University of California Press: Berkeley, 1992.