Giambattista Vico · Civilisations

Against the Geometers

Vico’s revolt against Descartes - his defence of history, rhetoric, imagination, and practical wisdom against the attempt to make mathematical reason the only path to truth.

What you'll be able to recall

You learned that Vico defended the humanities and practical wisdom against Cartesian rationalism. Explain his critique of making mathematical reason the only path to truth, and what he defended instead, in your own words.

Leads to Isaiah Berlin.

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