I thought that the little that Dr. Sexon mentioned about Gimbattista Vico in class was interesting, especially regarding "dude language" and the three stages that language goes through. Since I have never heard of him before, I figured I would expound on what was said a little bit more and provide a link that allows for further exploration of the subject.
Vico was not only an italian philosopher, but a rhetorician , historian and jurist a well. He published a number of books describing his philosophies over the years. An interesting note is that he held little prestige while he was alive, and like so many other famous writers and artists was not highly recognised until after his death. The book in which he discusses his idea of the cycle of three ages about which we talked in class is called Scienza Nuova. Although the fact that the language used by people from each stage was mentioned, the details were not. Each stage is characterized by certain linguistic features. "The giganti of the divine age rely on metaphor to compare, and thus comprehend, human and natural phenomena. In the heroic age, metonymy and synecdoche support the development of feudal or monarchic institutions embodied by idealized figures. The final age is characterized by popular democracy and reflection via irony; in this epoch, the rise of rationality leads to barbarie della reflessione or barbarism of reflection, and civilization descends once more into the poetic era" (Wikipedia).
In his most famous work, Verum Factum, Vico claims that truth is verified through creation or invention, and not through observation. This idea directly conflicts with the notions set forth by Decartes. This work later influenced Scienza Nuova.
His works have influenced a number of other philosophers and writes (James Joyce being one of them).
For more information on Vico...
For more information on Vico...
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