GENOVESI, jrino-va's6, ANTONIO (1712-69). An Italian writer on philosophy and political economy. At an early age he was destined by his father for the Church, and began the study of theology in a monastery. He took orders and was appointed to the chair of rhetoric in the theo logical seminary of Salerno. He now read with eagerness the works of the chief modern phi losophers, and was particularly attracted by Locke. Dissatisfied with ecclesiastical life, Geno vesi resigned his post at Salerno, and proceeded to Rome, where he undertook the study of law, and qualified as an advocate. The details of legal practice, however, proved as distasteful as theology, and for some years he gave himself up entirely to the study of philosophy, attending most of the distinguished lectures at the univer sity at Naples. At this place, after having ob tained the appointment of professor extraordi nary of philosophy, he opened a seminary or private college for students. His reputation as a teacher was increased by the publication in 1743 of the first volume of his Elements of Meta physics and in 1741 of his Logic. Both works are imbued with the spirit and principles of the Empirical School of philosophy. On account of
the accusation of infidelity and heresy excited by his discussions of metaphysical principles, he had some difficulty in obtaining the professorship of moral philosophy, and failed in his effort to be appointed to the chair of theology. He published a continuation of his Elements of Metaphysics; but with every new volume he experienced fresh opposition from the partisans of scholastic rou tine. In spite of this Genovesi obtained the ap probation of Pope Benedict XIV., of several car dinals, and of most of the learned men of Italy. Among them was Intieri, a Florentine, who founded, at his own expense, in the university at Naples, the first Italian chair of political econ omy, under three conditions, namely: that the lec tures should be in Italian, that Genovesi should be the first professor, and that, after his death, no ecclesiastic should succeed him. He was one of the first in Italy who dared to write upon philosophy in the common language of the coun try. His Opere scelte were published in 4 vols. (Milan, 1835).