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.
Miner's careful analysis of the often neglected Universal Law
shows how Vico uses Augustine to articulate a new conception of
natural law that mediates between the idealism of Plato and
Aristotle and the realism of Tacitus and Machiavelli. Vico emerges
as a penetrating reader of traditional philosophy and philology, as
well as a radical pioneer of modern historical consciousness.
Miner also traces important connections between Vico's magnum
opus, the New Science, and his earlier writings, arguing that the
New Science is not merely a work of scientific history. Miner
contends that this work is more fundamentally a genealogy that
enacts Nietzsche's desire to treat etymology and language as
signposts for understanding the development of moral concepts.
Miner shows how Vico's genealogy attempts to disclose hidden
continuities between the culture of secular modernity and the pagan
institutions of idolatry, divination, and sacrifice.
Throughout this engaging work, Miner portrays Vico's genealogy
as expressly Augustinian and Catholic, yet sufficiently complex to
resist assimilation to reactionary anti-modernism. According to
Miner, the goal ofVico's genealogy is to encompass the best of
ancient and medieval traditions within an "encyclopedic" fusion of
history and philosophy that is both modern and Christian. Although
Vico sees the "age of man" as moving toward the "barbarism of
reflection, " his trust in divine providence saves him from
nihilistic despair. Miner concludes that Vico's thought not only
anticipates later efforts to infuse philosophy with historical
consciousness, but also contains the seeds of a coherent
alternative to the program of postmodern genealogy.
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