S. Debono
Encyclopedia
S. Debono was a Maltese scientist
, linguist and minor philosopher. In philosophy he mostly specialised in ontology
. Unfortunately, his exact Christian
name is unknown. Neither do we possess as yet a portrait of him.
Debono’s Lezioni is a 415-page book in Italian published in Malta
(at Tipografia E. Laferla). It is a great pity that this is just one of a multi-volume work, all of the rest have as yet not been discovered. The work opens with a preface and proceeds with thirty-three ‘lessons’ (lezioni) organised in four sections, of which the first serves as a general introduction. The other sections deal successively with general metaphysics
, special metaphysics
, and moral philosophy
Debono insists on the central importance which concepts should have within the framework of ‘erudite philsophy’, and hence within the methods used to have understanding and acquire sure knowledge. In this context, Debono reveals his dislike of philosophical materialism
, particularly that proposed by Spinoza, Schelling
and Cousin
.
In the preface, Debono expounds on the esteem which philosophy enjoys with regard to other sciences. This is derived from the nobility of its object, which Debono identifies with the human spirit. In the introduction (composed of eleven ‘lessons’) he explores the concepts on which philosophical teaching is based, and the objectives which such teaching tries to achieve. In the context, Debono deals with the concept of truth
, the main principle of philosophy (the satisfaction of reason), the intellective method, syllogism
, syllogistic argumentation, sophistry (two ‘lessons’), the aim of rational thought, logical judgement, and the centrality of concepts to philosophy.
In the section dealing with general metaphysics
(only four ‘lessons’), Debono discusses the concepts of the structure (or organisation) of being
and of truth
as the correspondence to reality
, causality
, the inclinations of humans as contingent beings, and simple and composite being
.
Next, in the part dealing with special metaphysics
(eleven ‘lessons’), Debono deals with the beginning and progress of philosophy, the world, destiny
, natural and non-natural effects, humans, the non-elementary virtues of humans, the generation of the human spirit, the existence of God
, and internal cult (as opposed to that external). One of these ‘lessons’ is dedicated entirely to Locke
, in which Debono opposes him on all counts.
In the final section, that dealing with moral philosophy or ethics
(in seven ‘lessons’), Debono discusses religion, happiness as humans’ highest end, the duties of scientists, on right behaviour (especially moderation), duties in general, genuine ethical mistakes, and the principal reason for acquiring knowledge and science.
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
, linguist and minor philosopher. In philosophy he mostly specialised in ontology
Ontology
Ontology is the philosophical study of the nature of being, existence or reality as such, as well as the basic categories of being and their relations...
. Unfortunately, his exact Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
name is unknown. Neither do we possess as yet a portrait of him.
Life
Details about Debono’s personal life are still unidentified. Considering his philosophical contribution, this is indeed unfortunate. Nevertheless, research might bring to light who this person was, and also the whole extent of his philosophical production. It is actually regretful that Debono’s philosophy has still not been studied well and thoroughly.Extant works
Only one philosophical work of Debono is known to exist: Lezioni di Filosofia su i Principi della Ontologia (1845). Another writing, insignificant to philosophy, is Note Grammaticali concernenti la Lingua Inglese (Grammatical Notes concerning the English Language; 1845).Debono’s Lezioni is a 415-page book in Italian published in Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
(at Tipografia E. Laferla). It is a great pity that this is just one of a multi-volume work, all of the rest have as yet not been discovered. The work opens with a preface and proceeds with thirty-three ‘lessons’ (lezioni) organised in four sections, of which the first serves as a general introduction. The other sections deal successively with general metaphysics
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:...
, special metaphysics
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:...
, and moral philosophy
Debono insists on the central importance which concepts should have within the framework of ‘erudite philsophy’, and hence within the methods used to have understanding and acquire sure knowledge. In this context, Debono reveals his dislike of philosophical materialism
Materialism
In philosophy, the theory of materialism holds that the only thing that exists is matter; that all things are composed of material and all phenomena are the result of material interactions. In other words, matter is the only substance...
, particularly that proposed by Spinoza, Schelling
Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling
Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling , later von Schelling, was a German philosopher. Standard histories of philosophy make him the midpoint in the development of German idealism, situating him between Fichte, his mentor prior to 1800, and Hegel, his former university roommate and erstwhile friend...
and Cousin
Victor Cousin
Victor Cousin was a French philosopher. He was a proponent of Scottish Common Sense Realism and had an important influence on French educational policy.-Early life:...
.
In the preface, Debono expounds on the esteem which philosophy enjoys with regard to other sciences. This is derived from the nobility of its object, which Debono identifies with the human spirit. In the introduction (composed of eleven ‘lessons’) he explores the concepts on which philosophical teaching is based, and the objectives which such teaching tries to achieve. In the context, Debono deals with the concept of truth
Truth
Truth has a variety of meanings, such as the state of being in accord with fact or reality. It can also mean having fidelity to an original or to a standard or ideal. In a common usage, it also means constancy or sincerity in action or character...
, the main principle of philosophy (the satisfaction of reason), the intellective method, syllogism
Syllogism
A syllogism is a kind of logical argument in which one proposition is inferred from two or more others of a certain form...
, syllogistic argumentation, sophistry (two ‘lessons’), the aim of rational thought, logical judgement, and the centrality of concepts to philosophy.
In the section dealing with general metaphysics
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:...
(only four ‘lessons’), Debono discusses the concepts of the structure (or organisation) of being
Being
Being , is an English word used for conceptualizing subjective and objective aspects of reality, including those fundamental to the self —related to and somewhat interchangeable with terms like "existence" and "living".In its objective usage —as in "a being," or "[a] human being" —it...
and of truth
Truth
Truth has a variety of meanings, such as the state of being in accord with fact or reality. It can also mean having fidelity to an original or to a standard or ideal. In a common usage, it also means constancy or sincerity in action or character...
as the correspondence to reality
Reality
In philosophy, reality is the state of things as they actually exist, rather than as they may appear or might be imagined. In a wider definition, reality includes everything that is and has been, whether or not it is observable or comprehensible...
, causality
Causality
Causality is the relationship between an event and a second event , where the second event is understood as a consequence of the first....
, the inclinations of humans as contingent beings, and simple and composite being
Being
Being , is an English word used for conceptualizing subjective and objective aspects of reality, including those fundamental to the self —related to and somewhat interchangeable with terms like "existence" and "living".In its objective usage —as in "a being," or "[a] human being" —it...
.
Next, in the part dealing with special metaphysics
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:...
(eleven ‘lessons’), Debono deals with the beginning and progress of philosophy, the world, destiny
Destiny
Destiny or fate refers to a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual...
, natural and non-natural effects, humans, the non-elementary virtues of humans, the generation of the human spirit, the existence of God
Existence of God
Arguments for and against the existence of God have been proposed by philosophers, theologians, scientists, and others. In philosophical terms, arguments for and against the existence of God involve primarily the sub-disciplines of epistemology and ontology , but also of the theory of value, since...
, and internal cult (as opposed to that external). One of these ‘lessons’ is dedicated entirely to Locke
Locke
-People:*Locke , information about the surname and list of people*Locke *John Locke , English philosopher*Matthew Locke , baroque composer*Edwin A...
, in which Debono opposes him on all counts.
In the final section, that dealing with moral philosophy or ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
(in seven ‘lessons’), Debono discusses religion, happiness as humans’ highest end, the duties of scientists, on right behaviour (especially moderation), duties in general, genuine ethical mistakes, and the principal reason for acquiring knowledge and science.
Sources
- Mark Montebello, Il-Ktieb tal-Filosofija f’Malta (A Source Book of Philosophy in Malta), PIN Publications, Malta, 2001.