This is an intensive research seminar in which the advanced MA or RMA student participates in the current research of the Department’s ancient philosophy section, together with PhD students and postdocs from Leiden and other universities. Basic knowledge of Greek is assumed. The aim is to carefully read the text of Aristotle’s Posterior Analytics in Greek (starting this year at I.24), and to comment on issues of logic and philosophy of science presented there, in relation to Aristotle’s philosophy as a whole. All existing commentaries on that work, both ancient and modern, and all relevant secondary literature are called upon for elucidation or critical assessment.
Method of instruction
Research seminar
Examination
Participation during the seminar (25%);
presentation of a small portion of Aristotle’s text (25%);
10 page research paper on a topic relevant to the seminar (50%).
Required reading
Aristotle, Posterior Analytics, various editions and commentaries, with as the main target:
*Barnes, Jonathan. Aristotle. Posterior Analytics, translated with a commentary. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993. *Alexander, Themistius, Philoponus, and Eustratius in Analytica Posteriora
Timetable
see Timetable MPhil in Philosophy: Rationality 2009-2010
Registration
Please register for this course with the student administration: y.van.eijk@phil.leidenuniv.nl
Information
prof. dr. F.A.J. de Haas ( f.a.j.de.haas@phil.leidenuniv.nl)
Remarks
Optional course for first-year students in specialisation Rationality and the Scientific Mind.
Admission for MA students with a BA degree in Philosophy or Classics (with Ancient Philosophy as major, or equivalent) is possible after consulting Prof.dr. F.A.J. de Haas.
A fair knowledge of ancient Greek is indispensable.