The age of the enlightenment: studies presented to Theodore Besterman
In: St. Andrews University publications 57
In: St. Andrews University publications 57
In: Collana di filosofia 109
This contribution proposes a new index of cultural activities in Europe, for the period 800-1800. In order to test it, a novel dataset is constructed by joining two existing works complemented with an additional set of original data. The index measures the degree of cultural activity of a region at city level by counting the number of high achieving innovators clustering in it. In this way a map of innovation across Europe can be produced and a series of historical hypotheses can be assessed. Emerging properties of persistence and diffusion of talent are observed. A series of regression analyses are implemented to test for alternative theories about the influence of culture. In particular, the so called "Industrial Enlightenment" is put into question. It holds that the ideals stemming from the scientific revolution of the XVII century, European positivism and the political experience of XVIII century's French intellectuals, contributed in a determinant way to the industrial revolution by interacting with the English intellectual and productive system. This view is compared with some alternative theories. The results of the analysis do not allow for a refusal of the cultural hypothesis for the industrial revolution: the role of France, and in particular Paris, as the pulsing hearth of European innovation is confirmed by the data. Moreover, England is more active in the fields of invention than France before and for much of the industrial revolution. Other historical impressions concerning intellectual activities in Europe are confirmed and indicate a good reliability of the index.
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Nell'alveo delle indagini sulla storia del commercio librario nell'Italia del Settecento, attente a individuare i legami fra circolazione del libro, diffusione delle idee illuministe e riforme politiche nella seconda metà del secolo, la ricerca ha l'obiettivo di offrire un quadro articolato della fisionomia di un mercante del libro attivo nel periodo più intenso del riformismo estense nel ducato di Modena: Moïsè Beniamino Foà (1730-1821). Il primo capitolo della tesi riguarda le cariche ufficiali che questi ricoprì al servizio delle istituzioni culturali promosse da Francesco III d'Este, le vicende che lo implicarono nelle maglie della censura e il suo impegno civile e politico a favore dei processi di emancipazione degli ebrei in età giacobina e napoleonica. Il secondo tenta di interpretare la genesi della sua fortuna economica attraverso l'esame del testamento e dell'inventario dell'asse ereditario: nel panorama di precarietà dei mestieri del libro dal secolo dei lumi ai primi decenni della Restaurazione, pare arduo individuare un libraio comparabile a Foà per solidità e capacità di investimento. All'analisi della clientela del mercante è dedicato il terzo capitolo, che si sviluppa seguendo il filo dei rapporti diplomatici intessuti da Francesco III con le corti italiane nell'orbita dell'influenza politica e culturale asburgica. Si descrivono, quindi, i viaggi europei e la rete dei contatti commerciali che garantirono la ricchezza dell'offerta rispecchiata dai numerosi cataloghi librari pubblicati nel corso di oltre un cinquantennio. Di questi si offre una descrizione bibliografica e quantitativa con un affondo sulla diffusione del libro scientifico. Con la fisionomia del mercante viaggiatore, Foà coniugava quella dell'erudito bibliofilo: la ricerca si conclude con la presentazione della sua biblioteca e dei suoi rapporti con i filologi dell'epoca. ; In the context of an insight on the history of book trade in Italy during the XVIII century, also focusing on the interplay between book circulation, spread of Enlightenment ideas and political reforms of the second half of the century, this research aims at providing a comprehensive framework of a book trader who was highly committed within the most compelling period of the Estense Duchy in Modena. The first chapter analyses the official assignments he was appointed at, serving in the cultural institutions promoted by Francesco III Este, and also relevant incidents with censorship and his social and political engagement for the empowerment of the Jewish community across the Age of Napoleon. The second chapter attempts to provide an interpretation of the background of his economic fortune through the study of his last will and of the inventory of movable and immovable property. Foà seems to be a unique book seller for his determination and entrepreneurship, particularly in light of the uncertain situation of book related professional activities from the age of Enlightenment to the beginning of European Restoration. The third chapter outlines the major features of his customers, by following Francesco III diplomatic relations with the Italian states under the Habsburg political and cultural influence. The fourth chapter entails accurate references to Foà's journeys to Europe and to his trade network which enriched relevant catalogues, published during more than fifty years. Foà acted as both a business man and a scholar: conclusive remarks concern Foà library and his relations with contemporary philologists.
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A study about Jacques-André Naigeon (1735-1810) could only be based on an biographical reconstruction's attempt, in order to present the publisher-philosopher in an integral way. This dissertation is designed to develop on several topics in order to mix Naigeon's life with some "cultural" events that affected his life. Each chapter proposes the development of one of the founding themes of the Enlightenment, trying to build a dialogue between the existence of the philosopher and the interpretations provided by the most advanced historiography.The studies mention Jacques-André Naigeon giving the image of a character entirely subordinated to his two tutelary gods, Diderot and d'Holbach, while, instead, on closer inspection, Naigeon is not completely confused with the figures of his master and his "colleague", and his personal thinking (especially his atheism and his materialism) is not uninteresting.Throughout his life, Naigeon was an encyclopedist; "éditeur"; he even tried to earn political credit, at the debut of the Revolution, by writing a furious writing against some concepts of the Déclaration des droits de l'homme and sending it to the first Assemblée Nationale; he assumed the role of chief editor of the Philosophie ancienne et moderne's section of the Encyclopédie Méthodique; at the end, he became a member of the Institut de France in 1795. He frequented many prominent personalities, so that he could thus feel all the disappointment of an intellectual who was integrated into the cultural system but at the same time was completely neutralized. The silence and secrets of his later years are far more significant and full of meaning than what one might think. ; Une étude sur Jacques–André Naigeon (1735-1810) ne pouvait se baser que sur une tentative de reconstitution de son vécu, afin de présenter l'éditeur-philosophe dans son intégralité. La thèse est pensée sur plusieurs strates dans le but de faire se croiser la vie de Naigeon avec quelques épisodes qui ont marqué son action. Chaque chapitre propose le ...
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A study about Jacques-André Naigeon (1735-1810) could only be based on an biographical reconstruction's attempt, in order to present the publisher-philosopher in an integral way. This dissertation is designed to develop on several topics in order to mix Naigeon's life with some "cultural" events that affected his life. Each chapter proposes the development of one of the founding themes of the Enlightenment, trying to build a dialogue between the existence of the philosopher and the interpretations provided by the most advanced historiography.The studies mention Jacques-André Naigeon giving the image of a character entirely subordinated to his two tutelary gods, Diderot and d'Holbach, while, instead, on closer inspection, Naigeon is not completely confused with the figures of his master and his "colleague", and his personal thinking (especially his atheism and his materialism) is not uninteresting.Throughout his life, Naigeon was an encyclopedist; "éditeur"; he even tried to earn political credit, at the debut of the Revolution, by writing a furious writing against some concepts of the Déclaration des droits de l'homme and sending it to the first Assemblée Nationale; he assumed the role of chief editor of the Philosophie ancienne et moderne's section of the Encyclopédie Méthodique; at the end, he became a member of the Institut de France in 1795. He frequented many prominent personalities, so that he could thus feel all the disappointment of an intellectual who was integrated into the cultural system but at the same time was completely neutralized. The silence and secrets of his later years are far more significant and full of meaning than what one might think. ; Une étude sur Jacques–André Naigeon (1735-1810) ne pouvait se baser que sur une tentative de reconstitution de son vécu, afin de présenter l'éditeur-philosophe dans son intégralité. La thèse est pensée sur plusieurs strates dans le but de faire se croiser la vie de Naigeon avec quelques épisodes qui ont marqué son action. Chaque chapitre propose le ...
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A study about Jacques-André Naigeon (1735-1810) could only be based on an biographical reconstruction's attempt, in order to present the publisher-philosopher in an integral way. This dissertation is designed to develop on several topics in order to mix Naigeon's life with some "cultural" events that affected his life. Each chapter proposes the development of one of the founding themes of the Enlightenment, trying to build a dialogue between the existence of the philosopher and the interpretations provided by the most advanced historiography.The studies mention Jacques-André Naigeon giving the image of a character entirely subordinated to his two tutelary gods, Diderot and d'Holbach, while, instead, on closer inspection, Naigeon is not completely confused with the figures of his master and his "colleague", and his personal thinking (especially his atheism and his materialism) is not uninteresting.Throughout his life, Naigeon was an encyclopedist; "éditeur"; he even tried to earn political credit, at the debut of the Revolution, by writing a furious writing against some concepts of the Déclaration des droits de l'homme and sending it to the first Assemblée Nationale; he assumed the role of chief editor of the Philosophie ancienne et moderne's section of the Encyclopédie Méthodique; at the end, he became a member of the Institut de France in 1795. He frequented many prominent personalities, so that he could thus feel all the disappointment of an intellectual who was integrated into the cultural system but at the same time was completely neutralized. The silence and secrets of his later years are far more significant and full of meaning than what one might think. ; Une étude sur Jacques–André Naigeon (1735-1810) ne pouvait se baser que sur une tentative de reconstitution de son vécu, afin de présenter l'éditeur-philosophe dans son intégralité. La thèse est pensée sur plusieurs strates dans le but de faire se croiser la vie de Naigeon avec quelques épisodes qui ont marqué son action. Chaque chapitre propose le ...
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The article analyses the writings published by Pietro Verri on the issues of the Caffè, one of the most important periodicals of the Italian Enlightenment, founded in a cultural climate marked by optimism towards enlightened absolutism. The work is a contribution to the lively and open debate on the aesthetic and literary thought of Pietro Verri. In the first place, the work follows Verri's reflections on the problem of the Italian language. Secondly, the work explores Pietro's aesthetic-literary thought, with particular attention to the writings on theatre and comedy. Verri reflects organically on these problems and develops an analysis of the passions of the human being. The author explains the function perform by the sentiment in the psychological and physiological processes that constitute the consciousness. Finally, the article analyses the repercussions of this aesthetic-psychological thought in the dimension of morality and politics. The analysis of these literary and aesthetic writings can enrich the historiographical picture of Pietro Verri. Despite the aristocratic conception of culture and politics, the author elaborates the cultural presuppositions of an intersubjective conception, which prefigures the political contract between free and equal individuals. Pietro's reflections refer therefore to a set of unresolved issues, around which moderates and democrats will conflict in the years of the Revolution.
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In: Minimalia
In: Collection de la Casa de Velázquez 135
In: Biblioteca di storia
The book discusses the experience of two Florentine travellers in the Levant from the 1760s to 1792. During their separate stays in Cyprus and in Istanbul they visited the Holy Land, Anatolia and Mesopotamia providing extensive reports on natural history, institutions, local customs and languages as well as data on the economy and the health conditions of the area. Their numerous printed works enjoyed remarkable success and were translated into French and other languages. The inquiry places the authors firmly within the European 'Republic of letters' and testifies to the growing interest for Islam and Ottoman power during the Enlightenment debate on the eve of the French Revolution.