A New Europe in Search of Its Soul

The essays that make-up this book are the distillation of years of reflection, writing, lecturing and active participation in an ongoing debate on the cultural identity of the European Union, the vicissitudes of the transatlantic dialogue, the envisioning of new paradigms, the building of more relevant bridges of understanding While the approach is personal, it remains interdisciplinary and holistic throughout, rooted in the philosophy of history of Giambattista Vico and encompassing literature, linguistics and political science. The essays trace the origins of Western Civilization and the synthesis of Humanism and Christianity that is the Renaissance, but, Janus-face, they also look forward to a new humanistic synthesis, yet to be forged, that dares to be both old and new, that encompassed the poetical as well as the rational without ever losing sight of the universality of our common humanity.. They will greatly appeal to those who are perplexed at the loss of humanistic modes of thought within a post-modern society. A book sure to stimulate the intellect and the imagination of its readers.