What Does Vico Mean By Descartes Method?

Giambattista Vico was born in Naples, Italy, in the year 1668 (Stanford: 2014). He was educated by various Jesuit tutors and taught rhetoric for 40 years at the University of Naples (Stanford: 2014). The book, On the Study Methods of Our Time, published in 1709 was Vico’s response and critique of Descartes methodology (Stanford: 2014). Vico argues Descartes method reduces knowledge of all disciplines and gives no opportunity to look at probabilities, only certainties. Vico believed that Descartes method reduced learning and argued when one only looks at certainties in life, they are neglecting all other aspects of human life. He does not reject Descartes view, but rather discusses its limitations. Vico stresses the importance of imagination
In his book he states, “My goal, instead, is to indicate in what respect our study methods are superior to those of the Ancients; to discover in what they are inferior, and we may remedy this inferiority” (Vico, para 1, p.6) I. He seeks to prove that more then just the science and mathematics are vital to learning and interpretation of the world. Vico asserts that focusing on only these aspects alone closes minds and constrains student’s capacity for curiosity. He proclaims the teaching of all topics should come before Descartes teaching of criticism of the absolute truth. Vico is extremely reluctant to allow for only absolute truths when studying because it results in the inability to obtain any other potentially relevant information. Archambault says in his essay review of Vico, “Disciplined by the scientific use of philology, historical knowledge, burrowing into the deep knowledge we have of ourselves and our fabulous and mythical origins, will point the royal way to a truth that is superior to that of the mathematical sciences because it is surer (Archambault: 2005, p.251). Mathematics and sciences alone cannot deliver the full truth of the universe or to ourselves, they are inferior to mythology, languages, or poetry because they can state truths about the origins of humanity and its teachings (Archambault: 2005, p.251). Vico is insistent on allowing for all areas of studies to be taught and learned, for narrowing knowledge down to two aspects creates limitations in