DI SHABAN ZANELLI
ABSTRACT – The essay aims to investigate the theoretical meaning of Natural Law within the thought of Giambattista Vico with particular reference to the book Diritto universale. For this purpose, possible Vico sources are examined, considering the possible relationships of the Neapolitan thinker with modern Natural Law theory, with Roman jurisprudence and with scholastic and neo-scholastic thought. The result of the investigation is to highlight the originality of Vico’s conception which cannot be reduced to the simple revival of traditional or modern doctrines. In fact, the Italian’s thought presents itself as an original synthesis committed to keeping together the classical conception of natural law with the modern valorization of history. A vision, the Vico one, which by welding together the eternal and the temporal constitutes an essential moment for the deepening and updating of the classic concept of Natural Law.
KEYWORDS – Giambattista Vico – Natural Law – Philosophy of Law – History of Modern Philosophy