Paoli

Summary

Dominique Pagani mentions Pascal Paoli mainly as the founder of the short-lived Corsican Republic, which he repeatedly presents as the first political application of Enlightenment ideas12. What interests him first is Paoli's link with Rousseau: his envoy Buttafoco asks the philosopher for a draft constitution for Corsica34, and Rousseau inquires into the island's customs of that time. He ties this episode to his sessions on Rousseau, on money and work, on music and on childhood. He mentions the defeat at Ponte-Novu, where Paoli's last troops collapse. In his more recent talks he qualifies the portrait5: Paoli, backed by England and an enemy of the Bonapartes, remains an Enlightenment man attached to the old world, hostile to revolutionary policy towards the clergy. He also notes that Paoli's archives are in London6.

1. 1#3 The myth of the noble savage in Rousseau23 Sept 2014 · 9:41
2. 2#10.5 The figure of Antigone, such as into herself at last…24 Nov 2021 · 44:38
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4. 4#8 Happiness and unhappiness in music11 Jan 2021 · 1:00:39
5. 5Napoleon, or the reasons of cunning2 Dec 2024 · 1:23:20
6. 6Imaginary identity15 May 2025 · 1:38

Summary produced automatically from 13 of the passages below, to be reviewed; the numbers link to the moment in the session.