The identity of ‘European thought’ in Silvio (1822-1893) and Bertrando Spaventa (1817-1883)

Abstract

Silvio (1822-1893) and Bertrando (1817-1883) Spaventa devoted particular attention to the question of the «circulation of European thought». Notwithstanding the century-long decline of its philosophical tradition, the Spaventa Brothers believed that also Italy could develop its own form of modern philosophical thought. On the one hand, the Italian philosophers must rediscover the decisive contribution given by Italian authors to the birth of modern philosophical thought. On the other hand, they must enrich they reflection by incorporating the development modern thought had in the other European countries, culminating in classical German philosophy. The development of a national philosophical tradition cannot be isolated from the international circulation of thought and is therefore not seen in opposition with the idea of a universal form of rationality