Tommaso Campanella: The Book and the Body of Nature (International Archives of the History of Ideas Archives internationales d'histoire des idées, 200)

A friend of Galileo and author of the renowned utopia __The City of the Sun__, Tommaso Campanella (Stilo, Calabria,1568- Paris, 1639) is one of the most significant and original thinkers of the early modern period. His philosophical project centred upon the idea of reconciling Renaissance philosophy with a radical reform of science and society. He produced a complex and articulate synthesis of all fields of knowledge – including magic and astrology. During his early formative years as a Dominican friar, he manifested a restless impatience towards Aristotelian philosophy and its followers. As a reaction, he enthusiastically embraced Bernardino Telesio’s view that knowledge could only be acquired through the observation of things themselves, investigated through the senses and based on a correct understanding of the link between words and objects. Campanella’s new natural philosophy rested on the principle that the books written by men needed to be compared with God’s infinite book of nature, allowing them to correct the mistakes scattered throughout the human ‘copies’ which were always imperfect, partial and liable to revisions. It is in the light of these principles that he defended Galileo’s right to read the book of nature while denouncing the mistake of those – be they Aristotelian philosophers or theologians – who wanted to stop him from carrying on his natural investigations. However, Campanella maintained that the book of nature, far from being written in mathematical characters, was a living organism in which each natural being was endowed with life and a degree of sensibility that was appropriate for its preservation and propagation. Nature as a whole was an organism in which each single part was directed towards the common good. This is the reason why Campanella thought that nature had to be regarded as an ideal model for any political organisation. Political structures were often ruled by injustice and violence precisely because they had departed from that natural model. This book charts Campanella’s intellectual life by showing the origin, development and persistence of some of the fundamental tenets of his thought. A Friend Of Galileo And Author Of The Renowned Utopia The City Of The Sun, Tommaso Campanella (stilo, Calabria,1568- Paris, 1639) Is One Of The Most Significant And Original Thinkers Of The Early Modern Period. His Philosophical Project Centred Upon The Idea Of Reconciling Renaissance Philosophy With A Radical Reform Of Science And Society. He Produced A Complex And Articulate Synthesis Of All Fields Of Knowledge - Including Magic And Astrology. During His Early Formative Years As A Dominican Friar, He Manifested A Restless Impatience Towards Aristotelian Philosophy And Its Followers. As A Reaction, He Enthusiastically Embraced Bernardino Telesio's View That Knowledge Could Only Be Acquired Through The Observation Of Things Themselves, Investigated Through The Senses And Based On A Correct Understanding Of The Link Between Words And Objects.^ Campanella's New Natural Philosophy Rested On The Principle That The Books Written By Men Needed To Be Compared With God's Infinite Book Of Nature, Allowing Them To Correct The Mistakes Scattered Throughout The Human 'copies' Which Were Always Imperfect, Partial And Liable To Revisions. It Is In The Light Of These Principles That He Defended Galileo's Right To Read The Book Of Nature While Denouncing The Mistake Of Those - Be They Aristotelian Philosophers Or Theologians - Who Wanted To Stop Him From Carrying On His Natural Investigations. However, Campanella Maintained That The Book Of Nature, Far From Being Written In Mathematical Characters, Was A Living Organism In Which Each Natural Being Was Endowed With Life And A Degree Of Sensibility That Was Appropriate For Its Preservation And Propagation. Nature As A Whole Was An Organism In Which Each Single Part Was Directed Towards The Common Good.^ This Is The Reason Why Campanella Thought That Nature Had To Be Regarded As An Ideal Model For Any Political Organisation. Political Structures Were Often Ruled By Injustice And Violence Precisely Because They Had Departed From That Natural Model. This Book Charts Campanella's Intellectual Life By Showing The Origin, Development And Persistence Of Some Of The Fundamental Tenets Of His Thought.--publisher's Website. Telesius Me Delectavit. The Book Of Nature ; In Defense Of Telesio Against Aristotle -- From Naples To Padua : Encounters, Conflicts, Trials. Naples ; In Rome And Florence ; Padua -- The Palace Of Atlas. Dogmas And Politics ; Philosophy And Poetry -- Back To Naples And Calabria. Natural Philosophy ; Natural Ethics ; Machiavellism And Universal Monarchy -- The Conspiracy. The Utopia Of Liberty ; Heresy, Rebellion, And Prophecy ; Madness, Reason And Dissimulation -- Prophecy, Politics, And Utopia. Articuli Prophetales ; Political Bonds ; The Body Politic : The City Of The Sun -- In The Cave Of Polyphemus. The Poesie ; Sense, Spiritus And Natural Magic ; Religion And Nature -- Christian Unity. Campanella And Venice ; The Papal Primacy : The Monarchia Messiae ; Structures Of Ecclesiastical Government ; Christianity As Universal Religion -- New Heavens. Science And Faith : The Apologia Pro Galileo ; Philosophy And Theology ; Astrology ; Celestial Signs -- The New Encyclopedia Of Knowledge. Philosophia Realis ; The Books On Medicine ; Arts And Sciences Of Language ; The New Metaphysics ; Theologicorum Libri -- The Disappointment Of Liberty. Politicians, Courtiers, And The Prophet's Fate ; The Astrological Affair And The Pope's Horoscope ; Living And Writing In Rome ; From The Fall Of La Rochelle To The Flight To France -- The Paris Years. The Arrival In France And The Stay In Paris ; From Spanish Decline To French Hegemony ; Last Writings. Germana Ernst ; Translated By David L. Marshall. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. Front Matter....Pages i-xii Telesius me Delectavit....Pages 1-14 From Naples to Padua: Encounters, Conflicts, Trials....Pages 15-31 The Palace of Atlas....Pages 33-44 Back to Naples and Calabria....Pages 45-66 The Conspiracy....Pages 67-84 Prophecy, Politics and Utopia....Pages 85-104 In the Cave of Polyphemus....Pages 105-136 Christian Unity....Pages 137-158 New Heavens....Pages 159-180 The New Encyclopedia of Knowledge....Pages 181-214 The Disappointment of Liberty....Pages 215-241 The Paris Years....Pages 243-270 Back Matter....Pages 271-281 A friend of Galileo and author of the renowned utopia The City of the Sun, Tommaso Campanella is one of the most thinkers of the early modern period. Here is a comprehensive intellectual biography of this important and complex philosopher of the Renaissance