The other Leopardi

When speaking of the name Leopardi, of course almost everyone thinks the poet Giacomo, the subject of many academic studies by all of us. I do not deny that it is understandable, because Giacomo Leopardi was certainly a great poet, probably one of the greatest. Yet we should give attention to his father, Monaldo Leopardi, certainly profound and original thinker and representative of the counter revolutionary philosophy that much should be re-evaluated today.

“As long as the opinions are purely opinions, even if wanting, also the governments could not persecute them because they can not know them, and you will never find a man to be tried and punished for any thought of his mind. But when the opinions come out of that hidden space and express with words, writings and works, then it can no longer get into the category of simple thoughts, but they become facts, and the facts necessarily are subject to the disquisition and the power of the authorities. ” Certainly such thoughts would cause problems today, but I believe his thinking has to be interpreted in this sense: everyone is entitled to an opinion, but when the opinion is of interest to the social or religious order, it has to be seriously considered by the lawfully constituted authority, whether it might be beneficial or dangerous. I think that reading this author with some interest would certainly only be of benefit to everyone.