| I call our readers' attention to the fact that 2008-9 marks the 300th anniversary of the presentation and publication of Vico's seventh university inaugural oration, De nostri termporis studiorum ratione, delivered on October 18, 1708, published in the spring of the following year, and translated by Elio Gianturco as On the Study Methods of Our Time. In the introduction to his translation Gianturco declared the De nostri to be "perhaps the most brilliant defense of the humanities ever written." In concluding his introduction Gianturco expressed the wish that those concerned with "building the bases of a new, modern humanism, noursihed by the past but looking forward to the future, will receive stimulation, direction, and inspiration" from Vico's work. These words, written over fourty years ago, express optimism in the face of Gianturco's own lines, with which he opened his introduction: "We live in a Cartesian world, a world of scientific research, technology, and gadgets, which invade and condition our lives." Readers must decide where things stand today, in terms of fulfilling the great humanist ideals that are embodied in Vico's work. I am more pessimistic that optimistic, but I find Gianturco's opening lines more persuasive than his closing words. Vico's text remains one of his most accessible to students, who in my experience continue to respond to it favorably in a world in which a canonical and classic education is nearly impossible to obtain. In the night of returned barbarism, Vico, with the De nostri in his hand, stands as a beacon of light for those who have eyes to see. --- Donald Phillip Verene | ||