REBc47 Greek Philosophy from Photius to the Revolution of 1821

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Jozef Matula, PhD (lecturer), Mgr. Nicole Votavová Sumelidisová, Ph.D. (deputy)
Mgr. Nicole Votavová Sumelidisová, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Nicole Votavová Sumelidisová, Ph.D.
Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jitka Erlebachová
Supplier department: Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Wed 17:00–18:40 Virtuální místnost, except Wed 15. 11.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of the history of philosophy
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 9 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course is an introduction to Greek philosophical thought in Byzantium and in the period from the fall of Byzantium to the Revolution of 1821. Attention is paid to the relationship of Byzantine philosophers to Ancient thought, the specifics of Byzantine philosophy, or the influence of Byzantine emigration on the formation of Renaissance thought. The lectures aim to show what transformations Greek thought underwent from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment. The aim of the course is not only a historical survey of the main philosophical figures or schools but above all an understanding of the distinctive features of Greek (Byzantine and post-Byzantine) thought in the  context of European intellectual history.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to:
- describe the most important figures in Greek thought from Byzantium to 1821
- acquire the knowledge needed to understand the relationship between philosophy, religion, culture and history
Syllabus
  • 1. Byzantine philosophy: basic problems (reception of antiquity, anthropology)
  • 2. Early sources of Byzantine philosophical-theological thought (Nemesios of Emesa, Maximos the Confessor, Dionysios the Areopagite, John of Damascus).
  • 3. Byzantine humanism of the 9th-10th centuries (Photios, Arethas). The problem of the philosophy of the icon (iconoclasm).
  • 4. Metaphysics. 11th - 12th centuries (Psellos, John Italos, Nikolaos of Methone).
  • 5. Ethics. 13th century (Blemmydes, Laskaris, Planudis, Pachymeris).
  • 6. Mysticism. (Symeon the New Theologian, Niketas Stethates, Gregorios Palamas).
  • 7. Psychology. 14th century (Metochites, Gregoras, Chumnos).
  • 8. Logic. 15th century (Pletho, Gennadios Scholarios, Bessarion).
  • 9. Greek philosophy from the fall of Byzantium to the Revolution of 1821: basic problems and philosophical trends (Neo-Hellenism, Enlightenment).
  • 10. Theophilos Korydaleus, Adamantios Korais, Evgenios Vulgaris.
  • 11. Iosepos Misiodax, Athanasios Psalidas, Gregorios Konstantas.
  • 12. The relation of Greek philosophy to the Latin, Arabic and Hebrew traditions.
Literature
  • Gerhard Podskalsky, G., Theologie und Philosophie in Byzanz, München, 1977.
  • Henderson, G.P., The Revival of Greek Thought (1620-1830), Albany, New York, 1970.
  • Μπενάκης Λίνος Γ., Μεταβυζαντινή φιλοσοφία 17ος–19ος αιώνας, Αθήνα, 2001.
  • Ψημμένος, Νίκος Κ., Η ελληνική φιλοσοφία : από το 1453 ως το 1821, Αθήνα, 1988-1989.
  • Tatakis, B., La philosophie byzantine, Paris, 1949.
  • Lemerle, P., Le Premier Humanisme Byzantin, Paris, 1971.
  • Ierodiakonou, K., (ed.), Byzantine Philosophy and its Ancient Source, Oxford, 2002.
  • MILKO, Pavel. Úvod do byzantské filosofie : se studií Michala Řoutila Na východ od Antiochie : řecké myšlení za hranicemi Byzance, 2.-8. století : syrská tradice. Červený Kostelec: Pavel Mervart, 2009, 265 s. ISBN 9788087378137. info
  • KAPRIEV, Georgi Teologov. Philosophie in Byzanz. Würzburg: Königshausen & Neumann, 2005, 383 s. ISBN 3826026675. info
  • LIBERA, Alain de. Středověká filosofie : byzantská, islámská, židovská a latinská filosofie. 1. vyd. Praha: Oikoymenh, 2001, 551 s. ISBN 8072980262. info
  • HUNGER, Herbert. Die hochsprachliche profane Literatur der Byzantiner. Edited by Christian Hannick - Peter E. Pieler. München: C.H. Beck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1978, xx, 528. ISBN 3406014283. info
Teaching methods
Lectures, discussion
Assessment methods
oral exam
Language of instruction
Slovak
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
Teacher's information
Recommended readings will be assigned during the semester. The online course will start on October 4 at 5.30 pm! Link: https://join.skype.com/uEO3wsKkTrk1
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