Giambattista Vico: an eighteenth century pioneer

Abstract

In the endeavor to demonstrate the unique nature of the thought of Vico, Vaughan undertakes the task of elucidating all the aspects in which the Napolitan thinker can be considered a precursor of some currents that would not gain prominence until, at least, one century later, in the heart of the 19th Century. With this objective in mind, he firstly describes the historical and cultural context in which he thought and wrote. Secondly, he sets forth the reason why Vico can be truly deemed as a reformer of Political Philosophy. Thirdly, Vaughan attempts to scrutinize his oeuvre as it lays the groundwork for Comparative Mythology and Anthropology. Lastly, Vaughan addresses the reform of poetry inspired by the Napolitan.