Law as origin of eternal ideal History. Immutability and universality of natural law in the New Science of 1725: Immutabilità e universalità del diritto naturale

Abstract

The article illustrates how the notion of eternal ideal history originates from Vico’s reflection on the role played by law within the various communities. In particular, immutability and universality are characteristics that Vico attributes first to natural law and then to the design of an ideal history capable of bringing together the paths developed by different nations. At the core of immutability and universality we find human needs: we are referring to that sphere of needs that has been instilled in each individual by divine providence, so that individuals are driven to join together in society. This explains the uniformity of customs and therefore also the possibility of common rules, widespread among all peoples.