Preface by Donald Phillip Verene

Translator's Introduction by Elio GianturcoChronology of Vico's Principal Writings

Note on the TextON THE STUDY METHODS OF OUR TIME

I. Subject of the present discourse: the comparison, not of the various branches of learning, but of the study methods of our time and of antiquity. What factors make up every method of study? Distribution of the topics to be discussed, new instruments of the sciences. New aids to studies. Which is, today, the aim of our studies?II. Advantages of our study methods that derive from the instruments used by modern sciences. Advantages of philosophical criticism. Analysis. Introduction of the geometrical method into physics; of chemistry into medicine. Pharmaceutical chemistry. The introduction of chemistry into physics, and of mechanics into medicine. The microscope. The telescope. The mariner's compass. Introduction of modern geometry and physics into mechanics. Advantages accruing to us from the use of new devices: reduction to theoretical precepts of matters pertaining to human discretion in the conduct of life. Masterpieces of art. Printing. Universities. Advantages. deriving from the aim we have in view in our studiesIII. Drawbacks of modern criticism. Criticism injurious to prudence. Criticism an obstacle to eloquence: it hinders the arts, which thrive on imagination, memory, or both. How the ancients obviated the drawbacks of modern criticism. Modern neglect of topics, i.e., the art of forms of arguments employed in probable reasoning, to the benefit of criticism. Drawbacks of this neglect. How the disadvantages inherent in philosophical criticism may be avoided.IV. Drawbacks caused by the introduction of the geometrical method into physics. It kills the desire to explore nature further. How we can study physics as philosophers, namely, as Christian philosophers. The use of the geometrical method impairs the faculty to express oneself tastefullv and with acuteness. It forms an obstacle to free and ample utterance. It generates a sluggish diction, to be avoided as much as possible in eloquence. How its drawbacks may be obviated.V. Analysis. It may be useless to mechanics. How the disadvantages of analysis can be avoided.VI. Drawbacks of our modern method of studying and practicing medicine. How to remove them.VII. Disadvantages of our modern study methods in the fields of ethics, civil doctrine, and eloquence, from the viewpoint of the purpose at which we aim. Civil doctrine. Eloquence. Civil doctrine and eloquence again. How the drawbacks of our study methods may be remedied in regard to the guiding principles of the conduct of life, and in the domain of eloquence.VIII. Poetry. Under what conditions the modern critical procedure is useful to poetry. Suitability of the geometrical method to poetry. "Ideal" or "universal" truth is the proper guiding principle of poetry. Study of modern physics is conducive to poetry.IX. Christian TheologyX. Disadvantages of preceptive handbooks framing rules on matters that pertain to the practical conduct of life. How to eliminate these disadvantages.XI. The practice and study of law. Greek jurisprudence. Roman jurisprudence. Jurisprudence of the free Roman republic. Jurisprudence under the Emperors, prior to Hadrian. Jurisp1-udence under Hadrian. Under Constantine. Advantages and drawbacks of the study of law. First advantage and first drawback; second advantage, second drawback; third advantage, third drawback; fourth advantage, fourth drawback; fifth advantage, fifth drawback; sixth advantage, sixth drawback tentatively expressed. Advantage of the jurisprudential method of Accursius and of his disciples. Its drawbacks: first and second. How disadvantages in the study of law may be avoided.XII. 70 Masterpieces of art. What drawbacks their existence produces. How these drawbacks may be got rid of.XIII. Typographical characters. The disadvantages of printing.' How they may be overcome.XIV. Universities. Their drawbacks; how they may be remedied.XV. Conclusion.Appendix: The Academies and the Relation between Philosophy and Eloquence - Translated by Donald Phillip Verene