Francesco Brusori

Leon Battista Alberti e il tema della morte

Introduction

Leon battista alberti e il tema della morte. Analizza la riflessione filosofica di Leon Battista Alberti sul concetto e valore della morte, le sue fonti e l'uso narrativo nei suoi scritti, inclusa l'opera Defunctus.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the concept and value of death in Leon Battista Alberti’s moral reflection. First, I will study the philosophical sources that influence his concept of death and his considerations on the relationship between death and life. Therefore, I will examine the key passages of the works in which Alberti questions death as a natural end and the most appropriate way of dealing with it. Secondly, I will analyze his narrative use of the dead, especially in the Defunctus. Thus, the aim of my research is to demonstrate the philosophical coherence of Alberti’s reflection on death, according to which even the literary fiction of the speaking dead gains a specific value.

Review

This paper proposes a timely and significant analysis of Leon Battista Alberti's complex engagement with the concept of death. Focusing on his moral reflection, the abstract outlines a comprehensive study designed to uncover the philosophical underpinnings and practical implications of his views. The exploration promises to delve into the intellectual lineage informing Alberti's understanding of death, examining how he frames it both as a natural conclusion and a subject requiring specific human responses. Given Alberti's multifaceted genius as a humanist, architect, and author, an in-depth investigation into this profound theme is highly pertinent and holds considerable scholarly interest. The proposed methodology appears robust and well-structured. The paper intelligently plans to first trace the philosophical sources influencing Alberti's concept of death and his insights into the death-life relationship, followed by a close reading of key textual passages where he directly confronts mortality. A particular strength lies in the subsequent intention to analyze Alberti's unique narrative deployment of the dead, specifically highlighting its use in works such as the *Defunctus*. This two-pronged approach – examining both explicit philosophical discourse and imaginative literary representation – is well-suited to illuminate the central thesis: the philosophical coherence of Alberti's reflection, wherein even the fictional device of speaking dead characters contributes to a unified philosophical perspective. Should the paper successfully execute this ambitious program, it stands to make a valuable contribution to Alberti scholarship and the broader history of ideas concerning mortality in the Renaissance. By demonstrating the deep philosophical consistency across Alberti's varied engagements with death, the author promises to offer a nuanced understanding that goes beyond superficial readings of his moral treatises or literary experiments. To further enrich the discussion, the paper might consider briefly situating Alberti's unique reflections within the wider humanist discourse on *memento mori* or immortality, thereby accentuating his distinctive contributions. Overall, this is a promising proposal that addresses a fundamental aspect of Alberti’s thought with a clear and compelling analytical framework.

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