Admission requirements
This class can be taken in fulfilment of the requirements of both (1) the MA and the Research MA program in Classics and Ancient Civilizations (track Classics), with differential requirements, and (2) MA programs in Philosophy.
Admission requirements for other students:
A BA degree in Classics obtained from a university in the Netherlands or a comparable qualification obtained from a university outside the Netherlands. Moreover, students with an international degree have to contact the coordinator of studies to check admissibility.
A BA degree in Philosophy obtained from a university in the Netherlands or a comparable qualification obtained from a university outside the Netherlands.
If you are interested in taking this course, but are not sure whether you fulfill the entry requirements, please contact the instructor.
Description
Ever since Plato’s Cratylus, Greek philosophers have been discussing the relation between language and reality. Is language somehow ‘natural’ as Platonists and Stoics argued or is it a matter of convention as Aristotle had suggested? Can language be used as a means to gain insight into the structure of reality? Do divine names reveal something about God / the gods? Do such names have magical properties? In this seminar we will examine how various Greek philosophers developed their views on language in debate with each other and how, in keeping with their respective theories about language, sought to put the study of the phenomenon of language to philosophical use, for example by means of etymologies. We will take our start from Plato’s Cratylus and Aristotle’s De Interpretatione and next explore the reception of their ideas in Hellenistic times by Stoics (e.g., Cornutus’ Compendium of Greek Theology) and Epicureans. Finally, we will turn to late ancient philosophers and theologians, including Neoplatonists such as Iamblichus (On the Mysteries of the Egyptians) and Proclus (Commenary on the Cratylus and Platonic Theology) and Christian theologians such as Gregory of Nyssa (Against Eunomius) and the mysterious ps-Dionysius the Areopagite (On divine names).
Course objectives
Students who successfully complete the course will have a good understanding of:
- Ancient theories about language and the ways in which language is used as a philosophical and theological tool both in the Greek philosophical tradition and in the Christian tradition.
Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
research and analyse complex primary texts;
critically analyse and assess modern secondary literature;
independently learn about new areas of ancient philosophy;
present their findings in an oral and written forms of communication.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment method
Assessment
Assessment
Oral presentation (25%)
Final paper (75%)
Weighing
To complete the final mark, please take notice of the following:
The final mark for the course is established by (i) determination of the weighted average combined with (ii) the requirement that the student has attended and actively participated in class.
To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.
Resit
The resit will consist of a revised final paper (75%). The grade for the presentation will remain in place.
Students who have obtained a satisfactory grade for the first examination cannot take the resit.
Inspection and feedback
Feedback on oral presentation by teacher; written feedback on final paper, with appointment on request.
Reading list
A translation of Plato’s Cratylus.
In the case of classicists: a Greek text of the Cratylus.
Other texts will be distributed through Brighstpace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration À la carte education, Contract teaching and Exchange
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of À la carte education (without taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of Contract teaching (with taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
- For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
Dr. R.M. van den Berg (r.m.van.den.berg@hum.leidenuniv.nl)
- For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Arsenaal
Remarks
No remarks.