A Modernist Interpreter: Benedetto Croce and the Politics of Italian Culture

Abstract

In his classic study of intellectuals, Zygmunt Bauman distinguishes between modern legislators and postmodern interpreters. This article challenges one feature in particular – the missing figure of the “modern” interpreter. If Bauman grants that most interpreters are to some degree legislators, he overlooks the whole Hegelian tradition’s attempt at an interpretative defense of modernity that revealed its intrinsic rationality. Benedetto Croce provides an interesting case study of this missing position.

Keywords: Interpretor, Legislator, Intellectuals, Bauman, Hegel, Croce, Italy