Philadelphia, PA – April 28, 2025. In an inspiring celebration of transatlantic Enlightenment thought, Temple University hosted the international event
“Enlightenment Exchanges Between Italy and America: Dialogues on Science, Liberty, and Legislative Reform.” The event was jointly organized by the Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO), in collaboration with the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and the Accademia Filangieri di Partenope.
This unique scholarly gathering honored two intellectual giants of the 18th century whose correspondence shaped the foundations of modern democratic thinking: Gaetano Filangieri and Benjamin Franklin.
Filangieri and Franklin
Gaetano Filangieri (1752 – 1788) was a Neapolitan jurist and philosopher, widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of the European Enlightenment. His monumental work, “The Science of Legislation”, proposed a rational and humanistic approach to legal reform, advocating for liberty, justice, and the moral improvement of society through laws founded on reason and empathy.
Filangieri’s writings captured the attention of none other than Benjamin Franklin, who became an admirer and correspondent of the young philosopher. Their exchange of letters, initiated in the late 18th century, represents one of the most compelling dialogues between European and American Enlightenment thinkers. Franklin, deeply impressed by Filangieri’s legal philosophy, integrated many of his ideas into the debates surrounding the shaping of American constitutional principles.
Their correspondence is more than an intellectual curiosity, it is a testament to the shared pursuit of a just and rational society, one that transcends national borders and historical epochs.
Speakers
Among the distinguished guests at the colloquium were:
* Amedeo Arena, Professor of European Law at the University of Naples Federico II and expert on the Italian and American Enlightenment
* Antonio Giordano, President of SHRO and internationally renowned scientist in cancer research
* John Bessler, Professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law, specialist in comparative law and capital punishment reform
Filangieri’s Universal Legacy
The event also marked the launch of Prof. Amedeo Arena’s latest volume, “Citizen of All Places, Contemporary of All Ages: The Universality of Gaetano Filangieri’s Thought”.
Published in conjunction with the 800th anniversary of the University of Naples Federico II, the book explores how Filangieri’s vision rooted in liberty, reason, and peace continues to offer valuable insights for today’s complex world.
The first part of the book traces Filangieri’s influence in cities. The second section examines how his work has been interpreted across centuries, from the 19th century to modern times.
Shared Future
This international partnership uniting a major American research center with one of Europe’s oldest universities reaffirmed a profound transatlantic bond.
By celebrating the enduring relevance of Filangieri and Franklin’s ideas, the event underscored a common commitment to science.