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The Life and Writings of Giambattista Vico
First published in 1935, The Life and Writings of Giambattista Vico is a succinct biography of the Italian philosopher, Giambattista Vico. Carefully documented, the book comments on Vico's life as well as his oeuvre in a bid to extend his audience to the English-speaking population. From his early childhood to the influence of his writings after his death, the book provides a keen insight into the many facets of his philosophy. This book will be of interest to students of philosophy and history.
360 pages, ebook
Published February 15, 2023
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October 23, 2025
I wanted to textually walk through the streets of Naples — the city where the young Giambattista Vico grew up, long before he became the philosophical and philological mind who meticulously crafted The New Science.
The Life and Writings of Giambattista Vico offers a glimpse into a boy born in the 17th century, in a world where art, literature, and science were part of the daily landscape. From a young age, Vico possessed an insatiable gusto for true knowledge. Fortunate to be surrounded by intellectual circles, his years in Vatolla, under the patronage of the Carafa family, profoundly reshaped his future.
What I find particularly fascinating about Vico is his unified and absolute view of God. He believed that true knowledge can only be derived from God, and that man is not created without purpose. For Vico, the highest pursuit of human life was to make a difference through the search for knowledge, while happiness was a secondary pursuit.
He was unafraid to criticize his predecessors — including Plato, Socrates, and Descartes. Descartes’ famous declaration, “I think, therefore, I am,” which many still quote today, Vico regarded as mere common sense — something any layperson could reproduce — offering no deeper clarity. Instead, he urged people to question existing theories rather than accept them as universal truths.
As a Muslim woman reading his discourse, I was overwhelmed on several occasions to discover how closely my Islamic values align with what Vico practiced and preached.
I was also deeply moved to learn that Vico sold his diamond ring to publish his magnum opus, The New Science, because no one would support him financially — despite his standing in academia.
A standing ovation to Vico. We need to revisit his ideas now more than ever, for they remind us that while time changes, the essence of truth — and those who seek it — do not.
Finally, a heartfelt thank-you to H. P. Adams, the author of Vico’s biography, for compiling the bitter and sweet snippets of Vico’s life.
The Life and Writings of Giambattista Vico offers a glimpse into a boy born in the 17th century, in a world where art, literature, and science were part of the daily landscape. From a young age, Vico possessed an insatiable gusto for true knowledge. Fortunate to be surrounded by intellectual circles, his years in Vatolla, under the patronage of the Carafa family, profoundly reshaped his future.
What I find particularly fascinating about Vico is his unified and absolute view of God. He believed that true knowledge can only be derived from God, and that man is not created without purpose. For Vico, the highest pursuit of human life was to make a difference through the search for knowledge, while happiness was a secondary pursuit.
He was unafraid to criticize his predecessors — including Plato, Socrates, and Descartes. Descartes’ famous declaration, “I think, therefore, I am,” which many still quote today, Vico regarded as mere common sense — something any layperson could reproduce — offering no deeper clarity. Instead, he urged people to question existing theories rather than accept them as universal truths.
As a Muslim woman reading his discourse, I was overwhelmed on several occasions to discover how closely my Islamic values align with what Vico practiced and preached.
I was also deeply moved to learn that Vico sold his diamond ring to publish his magnum opus, The New Science, because no one would support him financially — despite his standing in academia.
A standing ovation to Vico. We need to revisit his ideas now more than ever, for they remind us that while time changes, the essence of truth — and those who seek it — do not.
Finally, a heartfelt thank-you to H. P. Adams, the author of Vico’s biography, for compiling the bitter and sweet snippets of Vico’s life.
Displaying 1 of 1 review