TLDR;
This video provides an overview of the life and philosophy of Tommaso Campanella, focusing on his historical context, key philosophical ideas, and major life events. Campanella's vision of unifying Christianity and his concept of "sensus sui" are discussed, along with his anti-Aristotelian stance and his belief in astrology. The video also explores Campanella's utopian vision in "The City of the Sun," including its emphasis on communal living, eugenics, and a society governed by reason.
- Tommaso Campanella's life and historical context
- Key philosophical ideas: "sensus sui," anti-Aristotelianism, astrology
- "The City of the Sun": utopian vision, communal living, eugenics, reason
Introduction: Tommaso Campanella and His Era [0:05]
The lecture introduces Tommaso Campanella, drawing parallels with Giordano Bruno, who was a victim of the Counter-Reformation. Campanella, born in 1568, lived during the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, a time of significant fracture in the Christian world. He aimed to develop a philosophy and politics that would lead to the unification of Christianity, extending even to Judaism and Islam, based on the idea that Christianity is the equivalent of natural religion.
Campanella's Philosophical Foundations: Telesio and Sensism [2:50]
Campanella, born in Stilo, Calabria, and a contemporary of Bernardino Telesio, joined the Dominican order. He saw Telesio as a key figure due to his anti-Aristotelian views. Campanella's philosophy, rooted in sensism, posits that knowledge is founded on the senses, a departure from the traditional philosophical emphasis on reason. He believed that all of nature is sensible, following Telesio's panpsychism, which suggests that everything is endowed with sensitivity and, in some way, with a soul.
Sensus Sui: Campanella's Precursor to Cartesian Thought [5:58]
Campanella's theory is based on the "sensus sui," the awareness of oneself, which he considered the foundation for understanding external things. This concept anticipates Descartes' "cogito ergo sum" by emphasising the importance of subjectivity. Campanella argued that this fundamental self-awareness is often overshadowed by external stimuli, urging a return to self-consciousness.
Campanella's Views on Magic, Astrology, and Free Will [9:20]
Campanella's philosophy includes a belief that all things are sensible and interconnected, influenced by Neoplatonism. This leads him to consider magic and astrology legitimate, as he sees correspondences between the macrocosm (the world of the stars) and the microcosm (the world of human affairs). Despite his interest in astrology, Campanella was a strong advocate for free will, aligning with Pico della Mirandola's motto, "the wise man will dominate the stars," viewing astrology as a tool to enhance human capabilities rather than restrict them.
Padua, Galileo, and the Astrologer Bode [13:34]
Campanella moved to Padua, a city of great culture, where he met Galileo Galilei. He later defended Galileo when he was persecuted. In Padua, Campanella encountered Valentinus Bode, an astrologer who foresaw an assassination attempt on his life. Bode barricaded himself in his house, but was killed by thieves who broke in, thinking the house was empty. This event troubled Campanella, raising questions about the extent to which astrology can truly empower individuals to alter their fate.
The Conspiracy and Imprisonment [17:41]
Campanella, believing that 1603 would bring about a universal kingdom and the decline of Spain, organised an anti-Spanish revolt in Calabria in 1599. The conspiracy was betrayed, and Campanella, along with 150 conspirators, was captured and taken to Naples. Accused of rebellion and heresy, Campanella was subjected to torture.
Torture and Feigned Madness [21:26]
Campanella was subjected to torture, not as punishment, but as a means of interrogation. To avoid execution, he feigned madness, a strategy based on the theological principle that a judge cannot condemn a madman to eternal damnation. Campanella endured the "torture of the vigil," a brutal ordeal involving suspension by the arms, for 40 hours, maintaining his act of insanity throughout.
Imprisonment and Writing "The City of the Sun" [29:45]
Campanella was sentenced to life imprisonment and confined in Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino) in Naples. Despite his dire circumstances, he began writing "The City of the Sun" on scraps of paper during his limited hour of daylight. This utopian work served to justify the motives behind his anti-Spanish revolt, countering claims that it was merely aimed at personal gain or the enrichment of new social classes.
The Structure and Principles of "The City of the Sun" [34:11]
"The City of the Sun" is presented as a narrative of a Genoese navigator, who encounters a unique community near present-day Sri Lanka. The city is structured in seven concentric circles, each dedicated to different aspects of knowledge and labour. The Solarians work only four hours a day, dedicating the rest of their time to learning and communal activities. The city is founded on the abolition of private property and the family, with children raised communally.
Eugenics and Governance in "The City of the Sun" [42:26]
Campanella advocates for eugenics to create a healthier and more robust population. He draws parallels between improving animal breeds and improving the human race, suggesting that unions should be planned to produce offspring with desirable traits. The city is governed by a "Grand Metaphysician," a philosopher-king who possesses extensive knowledge in all sciences except languages, and is responsible for making decisions for the betterment of the community.
Pedagogy and Religion in "The City of the Sun" [48:49]
The city is designed as a pedagogical project, with knowledge integrated into the environment. The walls of the city are adorned with images and diagrams representing various sciences and arts, facilitating continuous learning. While the city accommodates various religions, it places Christianity, particularly the figure of Christ, at the summit, viewing it as the religion closest to natural reason. Campanella argues that the Trinity is demonstrable through reason, with God embodying power, wisdom, and love.
Campanella's Defence of Free Will and the Sonnet [57:22]
Campanella defends free will, arguing that God does not oppress with an overwhelming will but appeals to reason. He criticises those who believe in predestination, asserting that humans are capable of making their own choices. The lecture concludes with an analysis of a sonnet by Campanella, which reflects the challenges faced by those who seek truth in a world dominated by folly.
Interpretations of Campanella: Opportunist or Idealist? [59:12]
The lecture addresses conflicting interpretations of Campanella's character and motivations. Some scholars, like Amabile and Norberto Bobbio, view Campanella as an opportunist who feigned adherence to Catholicism to improve his circumstances. Others, like Luigi Firpo, argue that Campanella was a sincere idealist who sought to unify humanity under a purified form of Christianity. Campanella is presented as an anti-Lutheran and anti-Machiavellian figure who believed in the inherent goodness of humanity and the possibility of creating a universal, peaceful, and reasonable state.
