Croce e Gentile. La volontà, la legge, l'obbedienza

In the first place, the essay aims to historically reconstruct the debate between Benedetto Croce and Giovanni Gentile concerning practical Philosophy, particularly their views on obedience to Law. This subject, which also addresses the complex genesis of abstract and concrete will, was discussed by these authors in both Filosofia della pratica (1909) and I fondamenti della filosofia del diritto (1916), as well as in their private correspondence. Addressing the fundamental theoretical question – is obedience to Law feasible? – this essay ultimately argues that Law is impossible to obey, as will is inherently free.