Giovanni Gentile and the State of Contemporary Constructivism : A Study of Actual Idealist Moral Theory

This book presents Giovanni Gentile’s actual idealism as a radical constructivist doctrine for use in moral theory. The first half describes the moral theory that Gentile explicitly identifies with actual idealism, according to which all thinking, rather than an exclusive domain of ‘practical reason’, has a moral character. It is argued that after Gentile’s turn to Fascism in the early 1920s, this theory is increasingly conflated with his political doctrine. This entails several major changes that cannot be squared with the underlying metaphysics. The second half of the book develops a more plausible account of Gentilean moral constructivism based on the pre-Fascist idea of reasoning as an internal dialogue. Comparisons and contrasts are drawn with contemporary constructivist doctrines, as well as theories employing dialogical conceptions of reason. The internal dialogue is presented as a device enabling the thinking subject to make objective judgments about real-world problems despite the impossibility of her occupying a fully objective standpoint. Thus actual idealist moral theory is offered as an example of constructivism at its most radical, inviting advocates of less radical varieties to reassess the foundations on which their theories are built. Recent moral philosophers have had little to say about Giovanni Gentile's 'actual idealism, which is widely dismissed as a kind of obscurantist Hegelianism used to conceal flimsy justifications for the states total impunity over questions of morality and truth. While Gentile is increasingly recognised as a major figure in twentieth-century Italian culture, actual idealism itself has yet to be given a full and impartial philosophical appraisal. Giovanni Gentile and the State of Contemporary Constructivism represents the first book-length treatment of actual idealist moral theory. Part I describes and criticises Gentiles stated view, showing that it includes several ambiguities that he exploits in order to align it with Fascist totalitarianism. Part II develops a modified version that is more consistent with the basic tenets of actual idealism. It is argued that Gentiles theory is best understood as a radical constructivist doctrine according to which all thinking has a moral character. Rigorously conceived, it promotes not uncritical submission to the state, but free and self-regulating thought in the absence of a fully objective reality. Thus Gentile demonstrates both the plausibility and the limitations of any uncompromising form of anti-realist constructivism. Cover; Contents; Front Matter; Title Page; Publisher Information; Acknowledgements; Summary; The State of Contemporary Constructivism; Chapter 1; 1. Defining 'constructivism'; 2. Introducing Giovanni Gentile; 2i. The death of the author; 2ii. Gentile criticism since his assassination; 3. A new approach to Gentile; 4. The argument in outline; Chapter 2; 1. On method; 2. Toward pensiero pensante, or 'the thought that thinks itself'; 2i. The Cogito Justification; 2ii. The Logical Priority Justification; 3. The abstract/concrete division; 4. Truth in the method of immanence James Wakefield. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 241-253).