The Neapolitan Tradition of Civil Economy

Abstract

The “classic” tradition of sociality, here referred to as Aristotelian-Thomistic, found another significant expression in economics within the Neapolitan tradition — in a sense Italian and Latin — of civil economy (Bruni and Zamagni 2007), which represents an important attempt to keep alive within modernity the tradition of civil life based on philia.

We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages.

Adam Smith

We have come to this public square but we do not wish to sell these goods to you for the sake of our interest, nor for our need; because need — God bless — we have way too much in our home.

Reported oral tradition from a 19th century

fair in Southern Italy.