Universität Wien

090027 VO What is Byzantine philosophy? (2026W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 9 - Altertumswissenschaften
Moodle
We 21.10. 16:45-18:15 Elise Richter-Saal Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 1

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Details

Language: German

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 07.10. 16:45 - 18:15 Elise Richter-Saal Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 1
  • Wednesday 14.10. 16:45 - 18:15 Elise Richter-Saal Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 1
  • Wednesday 28.10. 16:45 - 18:15 Elise Richter-Saal Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 1
  • Wednesday 04.11. 16:45 - 18:15 Elise Richter-Saal Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 1
  • Wednesday 11.11. 16:45 - 18:15 Elise Richter-Saal Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 1
  • Wednesday 18.11. 16:45 - 18:15 Elise Richter-Saal Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 1
  • Wednesday 25.11. 16:45 - 18:15 Elise Richter-Saal Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 1
  • Wednesday 02.12. 16:45 - 18:15 Elise Richter-Saal Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 1
  • Wednesday 09.12. 16:45 - 18:15 Elise Richter-Saal Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 1
  • Wednesday 16.12. 16:45 - 18:15 Elise Richter-Saal Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 1
  • Wednesday 13.01. 16:45 - 18:15 Elise Richter-Saal Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 1
  • Wednesday 20.01. 16:45 - 18:15 Elise Richter-Saal Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 1

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Byzantine philosophy – it is the subject of numerous debates and questions, ranging from a complete rejection (‘There is no philosophy in Byzantium’) through disparagement (that it is merely a ‘school-philosophy’) to highly positive assessments of its originality, significance and richness. The existence of a rich philosophical thought, written in Greek during the Middle Ages, is amply documented by the sources. In this lecture, we shall present the distinctive features of the Byzantine philosophical tradition and reconstruct some of the most important controversies and the most remarkable theses. We shall address some central questions in philosophy, namely the question of essence, categorical ontology, the problem of universals, relations, causality, determinism and free will. We shall also examine some rather unexpected, specifically Byzantine debates, which relate in particular to the question of individuality and representation. We will discuss the respective significance of the Aristotelian and Platonic traditions. Furthermore, we will examine the extent to which a philosophical tradition can be inextricably linked to a theological position, and whether a Christian philosophy is possible.

We will adopt an approach aimed at reconstructing the debates and arguments whilst taking into account the specific features of the Byzantine historical context.

Assessment and permitted materials

Eine 30-minütige mündliche Prüfung.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Bewertet werden das Verständnis der philosophischen Fragestellungen und die Kenntnis des spezifisch byzantinischen Kontexts. Kenntnisse sowohl der dogmatischen als auch der historischen Perspektive sind für das Erreichen einer positiven Note erforderlich.

Examination topics

Der Prüfungsstoff umfasst den Stoff der Vorlesung, vertieft durch eigene Lektüre (hinsichtlich der historischen Dimension) und eigene Analyse einiger byzantinischer philosophischer Texte.

Reading list

Sekundärliteratur wird auf Moodle zur Verfügung stehen.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: We 07.10.2026 00:02