Italian jurist and philosopher Gaetano Filangieri (1752 –1788) is said to have inspired American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin in the writing of the Declaration of Independence, particularly for the concept of the “pursuit of happiness”.
Filangieri’s great work, La Scienza della legislazione, on the rules of legislation and on economic reform, show him an ardent reformer, and vehement in denouncing the abuses of his time. In it he insists on unlimited free trade, and the abolition of the mediaeval institutions which impeded production and national well-being. Its success was great and immediate not only in Italy, but throughout Europe at large.
An exhibition of Filangieri’s writings and philosophical thought, courtesy of the Istituto Italiano per gli Studi Filosofici (IISF) in Naples, is being hosted at AUR.
AUR is pleased to collaborate with the IISF and to bring this exhibition to Rome for the first time. The IISF, founded in Naples in 1975, was established over a library of more than 100 thousand volumes collected in thirty years from various libraries around Europe. Today it carries research and educational activities and organizes seminars and exhibitions in History and Philosophy at post-university level.
The exhibition can be viewed from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday. For more information please contact: Maurizia Garzia, E-mail m.garzia@aur.edu – Tel 06 5833 0919, ext 209
