Лоренцо Валла. Об истинном и ложном благе. О свободе воли. / Перевод с латинского. Составление и общая редакция Н. В. Ревякиной.
Москва: Наука, 1989.
476 с. Твердый издательский переплет, обычный формат. (Серия: Памятники философской мысли).
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Valla, L. On the True and False Good; On Freedom of Will (Ob istinnom i lozhnom blage; O svobode voli). / Translated from Latin. Compiled and edited by N. V. Revyakina.
Moscow: Nauka, 1989.
476 pp. Hardcover, standard format. (Series: Monuments of Philosophical Thought).
This 1989 volume, published by Nauka within the prestigious "Monuments of Philosophical Thought" series, presents the essential works of Lorenzo Valla (1407–1457), one of the most provocative and influential figures of the Italian Renaissance. A master of philology and a pioneer of historical criticism, Valla’s writings represent a decisive break from medieval scholasticism toward the humanist revival of classical thought.
The collection features two of his most significant treatises. In "On the True and False Good" (De vero falsoque bono), Valla stages a dialogue between Stoic, Epicurean, and Christian viewpoints. With startling boldness, he rehabilitates Epicureanism, arguing that the pursuit of pleasure—when correctly understood—is not contradictory to Christian virtue, thereby challenging the ascetic rigor of his time.
The second work, "On Freedom of Will" (De libero arbitrio), addresses one of the most enduring paradoxes of theology: the conflict between divine foreknowledge and human agency. Valla’s sharp, critical approach to this problem influenced later Reformation thinkers, including Erasmus and Luther, by shifting the focus from metaphysical speculation to the limits of human reason.
The Soviet edition is a scholarly achievement, featuring a meticulous translation from the original Latin and a comprehensive introductory essay by N. V. Revyakina. The commentary provides deep historical context, situating Valla within the intellectual ferment of 15th-century Italy.
For philosophers, historians of the Renaissance, and collectors of classical humanist literature, this 1989 edition is a cornerstone. It captures the spirit of an era that dared to question authority through the power of language and logic, beautifully preserved in the sober, academic style of the late-Soviet "Nauka" editions.