180197 SE Englisch Ancient philosophy and ancient mathematics (2023S)

This seminar, which will be held predominantly in English, aims to examine two aspects of ancient mathematics, namely, on the one hand, the ontological status of mathematical entities and, on the other, the nature, progress of, but also some significant issues in, ancient, mainly Greek, mathematics. The seminar will be held jointly with Professor Stefano Demichelis, a Professor of Economy and Mathematics, who is an expert on the area of ancient mathematics and he has taught a similar course several times at the University of Pavia. In the first part of the semester we will focus on Plato and Aristotle, who show much interest in mathematics, clearly borrow much from the mathematical methods of their predecessors (Aristotle's use of letters in his logic is one such example), and they take position on their ontological status. In this part of the seminar we will discuss relevant parts from Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Metaphysics M and N. In the second part we will move to ancient mathematical texts or philosophical texts with mathematical import, such as Euclid's Elements, and to two mathematical issues, namely the problem of Infinity and Infinitesimals (Zeno and Democritus) and the duplication of the cube in Plato vs. quadrature of the circle in Aristotle.The seminar will take place both in regular sessions and as a block seminar in the week between 5 and 9 of June, with Professor Demichelis present in class.