SPCM 201 1st Edition Lecture 17Vico: Defender of Rhetoric Giambattista Vico 1688-1744 A.D. Italian nationality Professor of Rhetoric The University of Naples On the Study Methods of Our Time (1709) An opening speech for the new school year and a rebuttal to Descartes Kind of a loner—not teaching like Descartes Vico’s Central Thesis “Which study method is finer and better, our or the ancients?” This is a VEHICLE for critiquing Descartes - Descartes = Science = Modern Methods- Vico = Rhetoric = Ancient Methods Vico is NOT focused on subject matter specifically but the “instruments” of their study Not what is studied but how it is studied (method) What is “Philosophical Critique” (or criticism)? Another way of talking about Descartes’ method described from last class Remember, we’re not just talking about science or math, but the application of reason to all areas of thought How does Vico begin? Much of Section II is devoted to describing the various ways in which current learning has surpassed the Ancients. This serves two purposes: Not a complete attack on modern learning (evenhanded) Provides him credibility for his attacks later What is the basis of Vico’s claim? (Or, what does philosophical critique not account for?) Four Major Points: Common Sense Imagination TimeThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute. Ethics Common Sense What do this mean to you? Collective wisdom Implied norms Street Smarts Critical for maintaining community Also essential for making “practical judgments” Highly rhetorical Imagination Philosophical and scientific pursuits are often worthless without imagination Ancients understood this through Geometry Key to the “invention of arguments” A necessary first step before tests of validity Good imagination is necessary to make sure all possible options or alternative have been exhausted Time (Or rather, kairos) Descartes advocates for a long term project of consideration and testing But in the real world, decisions must regularly be made quickly with clear thinking Training in rhetoric and topoi can do this Meanwhile, those following Descartes say: “Give me some time to think it over!” Ethics and Credibility We focus too much on the natural sciences and “not enough on ethics.” Threat the world as if it is black and white, when there are many shades of grey This training does not produce good citizens who live in the real world Similarly, we need to consider not just can we do something, but should we do something? Therefore… We need to moderate our current obsession with explaining everything with a “single cause” in pursuit of the “highest knowledge” If not, our “LEARNED MAN” will “bull his way through the torturous paths of life” In other words, complete devotion to philosophical critique does not create citizens who canlive in the real world Rather, we need to embrace Prudence: The “prudent” sage seeks out all possible causes and kinds of arguments to reach truth, instead of obsessing about a single answerThey also balance their responsibilities to the
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