Collected Works
7 total works
One of Croce's most famous books, originally published in 1934, this volume covers the history of Europe from the end of the Napoleonic Wars until the end of the First World War. Based on a series of lectures delivered in 1931 the book discusses, among other things, religious freedoms, the concept of liberty, liberalism and nationalism and the rise of the German state.
Croce admired Goethe partly because the latter possessed a knowledge of human nature in all its aspects but nonetheless kept his mind above and beyond political sympathies and the quarrels of nations. In this volume originally published in English in 1923, Croce distils his critical ideas about Goethe with the aim of helping readers to better understand the German poet's work.
Originally published in 1921 this volume consists of the first of Croce's literary criticisms to be published in English and as well as a section on Shakespeare, it contains unique essays on Ariosto and Corneille which together inaugurated a new era in literary criticism. The essays are based on Croce's Theory of Aesthetic - a theory which to many is the only one that completely explains the problem of poetry and the fine arts - and as a result are profound and suggestive.
Originally published in 1946, this book reveals Croce's dynamic conception of liberty, liberalism and the relation of individual morality to the State. The State which he discusses is more than a national government; it is a historical conception which takes in all 'states' - local and international. The volume provides an inspired analysis of the relation of politics and morals, individual liberty, free enterprise and pragmatic social judgement.
Originally published in 1949, Croce's essays on political, philosophic and aesthetic subjects, selected from both his earlier and later writings possess a remarkable underlying unity. The political essays which form a major part of this volume display a criticism, either direct or implied of the mass creeds and movements that subordinate the individual to history. They combine a passionate belief in liberty with critical and historical judgment.
Originally published in English in 1950 this is one of the most revealing works by one of Italy’s foremost philosophers of the 20th century, who was also a courageous and effective opponent of Fascism. Following the Allied landing at Salerno, Croce was called upon by kings, princes, generals and politicians and asked to decide question of vital importance to Italy. This book records the notes Croce made on political matters in 1943 and 1944 and includes some of the many documents Croce possessed which referred to the attempt in Naples (noted in the Autumn of 1943) to form a Corps of Italian volunteers.
Originally published in 1922 and partly from periodicals this book provides a methodological introduction to the reading of Dante's The Divine Comedy, with the aim of removing the confusion surrounding much Dantean literature and helping the reader to focus attention on the essential qualities of Dante's work.