Knowledge of Things Human and Divine: Vico’s New Science and "Finnegans Wake"

Description

This is the first book to examine in full the interconnections between Giambattista Vico’s new science and James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake. Maintaining that Joyce is the greatest modern “interpreter” of Vico, Donald Phillip Verene demonstrates how images from Joyce’s work offer keys to Vico’s philosophy. Verene presents the entire course of Vico’s philosophical thought as it develops in his major works, with Joyce’s words and insights serving as a guide. The book devotes a chapter to each period of Vico’s thought, from his early orations on education to his anti-Cartesian metaphysics and his conception of universal law, culminating in his new science of the history of nations. Verene analyzes Vico’s major works, including all three editions of the New Science. The volume also features a detailed chronology of the philosopher’s career, historical illustrations related to his works, and an extensive bibliography of Vico scholarship and all English translations of his writings. Contents Preface Abbreviations Part I. A Portrait of Vico 1. The Joycean Vico: A New Key 2. The Life of Vico: A Career in Naples Part II. Vico’s Voyage 3. The New Art of Pedagogy: Wisdom Speaking 4. The Most Ancient Wisdom: Metaphysics 5. The Universal Law: Jurisprudence Part III. Vico’s Science 6. The New Science: The Life of Nations Postface Chronology Notes Bibliography Index