Vico, Genealogist of Modernity

Description

In this lucid and probing study, Robert C. Miner argues that Giambattista Vico (1668-1744) was the architect of a subversive, genealogical approach to modernity. Miner documents the genesis of Vico's stance toward modernity in the first phase of his thought. Through close examination of his early writings, centering on Vico's critique of Descartes and his elaboration of the 'verum-factum' principle, Vico, Genealogist of Modernity reveals that Vico strives to acknowledge the technical advances of modernity while unmasking its origins in human pride. Cover......Page 2 Title Page......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Dedication......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 Note on Texts......Page 10 Preface......Page 12 Part 1 Humbling Modern Pride: Genealogy in the Early Vico......Page 17 1 Ancients and Moderns......Page 18 2 Eloquence and Prudence......Page 25 3 Critique of Descartes......Page 28 4 The Roots of Mathematics......Page 35 5 Verum-Factum......Page 41 Part 2 The Development of Modern Historical Consciousness in the Diritto universale......Page 48 6 The Intention and Form of the Diritto universale......Page 49 7 Justice and Equity......Page 55 8 Natural Law......Page 60 9 Verum-Certum......Page 67 10 Constantia and Christian Jurisprudence......Page 71 Part 3 The Moral Genealogy of the Scienza nuova......Page 79 11 Vico, Genealogy, History......Page 80 12 Unmasking the Philosophers and Philologists......Page 85 13 Knowledge as Archaeology......Page 92 14 Pagan Consciousness in the Age of Gods......Page 105 15 The Hebrew Difference......Page 117 16 From Achilles to Socrates......Page 126 17 Modern Nihilism and the Barbarism of Reflection......Page 136 Conclusion......Page 147 Notes......Page 152 Bibliography......Page 189 Index......Page 194