The individual and the crisis of the civilization: Individuality and universality in Croce’s thought

Abstract

The last ethical-political events of the countries of the East seem to confirm the old hegelian idea according to which the way of history advances, even though errors and contradictions occurs, in direction of the freedom. Nevertheless, the poshegelian thought has emphasized the value of the individuality. The individual thing constitutes for Croce the central problem and the historiography's object. For that reason he tries to release it of the danger that means the consideration of the persons like marionettes or simple appearances. But, as soon as part of the empiricist and the singular, the individuality is for Croce part of an aesthetic character.