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Vico’s Ring

61

Press, 1979, Part 1, pp. 60-90. For a more detailed discussion than can be pre-

sented here, please consult these papers.

101

«

Axiomatic:

where the axiom is directly certified on the basis of an im-

mediate intuitive grasp; […]

inductive

, where the assertion rests upon the per-

ception of similarity in a group of particulars; […]

retroductive

, where the asser-

tion is a hypothetical one, and where its warrant lies in the number and variety

of verified consequences drawn from it » (E. McMullin,

Vico’s Theory of Science,

cit., pp. 73-74).

102

Ibid.

, pp. 81-82. Fàj adheres to the terms “axioms” and “inferences” in

the deductive logic sense in commenting on several Axioms of Vico dealing

with human nature, language and customs (Axioms XIV, XV, LXIII, CVI,

LXIV, LXV; §§ 147-148, 236-239, 314), by the aid of which «we are able to

explain […] particular usages and customs of a country and also particular lin-

guistic facts» (Id.,

Vico as Philosopher of Metabasis

, cit., p. 101). In his

The Unor-

thodox Logic of Scientific Discovery,

cit., Fàj shows that the “Elements” are not to

be interpreted in terms of the “hypothetical-deductive” method, since «Vi-

chian axioms are never stated as hypotheses, but as universal affirmative

propositions», and that «[h]is postulates are not deduced from his axioms, but

that his axioms

are made

by means of the postulates» (italics in the original).

For an engagement by Goetsch with Fàj, see J. R.. Goetsch,

Vico’s Axioms

,

cit., pp. 104-107.

103

E. McMullin,

Vico’s Theory of Science

, cit., p. 82, added: «Instances of this

sort could be multiplied, but perhaps this one will suffice to make the point

that the logical connection in Vico’s argument are much looser than the ter-

minology of axiom and consequence would lead one to expect».

104

The translation by Marsh reads: «In this way, my Science proceeds like

geometry which, by constructing and contemplating its basic elements, creates

its own world of measurable quantities. So does my Science, but with greater

reality, just as the orders of human affairs are more real than points, lines, sur-

faces, and figures».

It should be recognized here that readers of this passage have connected it

with Spinozan expressions, such as the ending of

Ethics

, Part III, Introduc-

tion: «I shall consider human actions and desires in exactly the same manner,

as though I were concerned with lines, planes, and solids» (see O. Remaud,

Vico lector de Espinosa,

cit., p. 199). Also, § 349 ends with the endorsement «that

these proofs are of a kind divine and should give thee a divine pleasure”, with

respect to which M. Agrimi commented: «E non si può non percipire in ques-

to “entusiasmo” di Vico la forza insinuante dei temi spinoziani, […] della con-

templazione

sub specie aeternitatis

e dell’

amor Dei intellectualis

(One cannot help

but perceive in this ‘enthusiasm’ of Vico the suggestive power of Spinozan