Assessment

Seminar presentation 10%, oral exam 30%, final exam 60%

Module Aims

This module aims to provide an engagement with the medieval tradition in philosophy. In doing so it will familiarise learners with the philosophical inheritance from the ancient world, and how various thinkers such as St Augustine, Plotinus, Pseudo-Dionysius, Eriugena, Avicenna etc helped to shape the course of medieval philosophy. In considering medieval philosophy in itself we will focus on the big five thinkers: St Bonaventure, St Albert the Great, St Thomas Aquinas, Blessed John Duns Scotus, and William of Ockham.

Learning Outcomes

• — LO1 Describe the influence of ancient thinkers on medieval philosophers and theologians.
• — LO2 Trace a historical trajectory of central themes in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and logic.
• — LO3 Explain the development of medieval philosophy within the universities.
• — LO4 Read and analyse complex philosophical argumentation.
• — LO5 Express an understanding of the views of the five major scholastic thinkers.
• — LO6 Identify the breakdown of medieval philosophy and the emergence of modern philosophy.