Francis Dominic Bencini
Encyclopedia
Francis Dominic Bencini (1664–1744) was a minor Maltese philosopher who specialised in apologetics.
, and went on to become a diocesan priest. He then studied theology in Rome, from where he obtained his graduate colours.
Thereafter, he immediately began teaching dogmatic theology at the Collegio Urbano de Propaganda Fide, in Rome
, Italy
. While there, he was also installed as librarian of Propaganda Fide, and chosen as secretary to the pontifical councils. He dedicated much of his intellectual energies to the anti-reformist polemic which was in full swing during his times.
After many years working hard in Rome
, Bencini expected to be awarded for his efforts. However, no official recognition was forthcoming, and this left him quite embittered. Sick of waiting, he thus left Rome
and went to Turin
, in northern Italy
. There, at least, he was made professor at the University of Turin
. He mainly taught theology and Holy Scripture. He seems to have been glad at his new place of adoption. For, from his personal financial resources, he paid for the establishment of a Chair of Apologetics
, and also established a Catholic school of catechism
.
Bencini probably died in Turin
. No portrait of him is known to exist so far.
. With the exception of the few which Bencini himself published during his lifetime, none of the other manuscripts have ever been set to print. Most of these works deal with themes related to Christian and, in particular, Catholic, apologetics
.
Amongst those published, his most interesting one (at least from a philosophical point of view) is Philosophia Tabulis Exposita, issued in 1703. This is a work in Latin, and published in Rome
. It carries the sub-title: Varia antiquorum, recentiorumque Philosophorum Placita exhibens, ac perpetius commentarijs illustrata (Illustrations of various known philosophies of ancient and recent times, with each illustration commented).
The book opens with a dedication to an adolescent boy called Alessandro Albani, the nephew of Pope Clement XI
Albani (to whom the book is dedicated). This is followed by a description of the work, some general information about the illustrations produced, the commemorative reason for publishing the work, and finally the method used for the exposition of the illustrations.
The main part of the book contains the illustrations. These are divided into three sections. The first deals with philosophy in general; the second with dialectics; the third with logic
. Six illustrations are presented in the first series of illustrations, seven in the second, and nine in the third. Each illustrtion is followed by a long description of it, each presented in a thoroughly systematic way, and with great clarity. The parts dealing with dialectics and logic
are basically based on Aristotle
. The first section deals mostly with classical Greek philosophy.
; 1715). Both deal with apologetical themes, particularly in reference to reformation.
Life
Benici began his studies in MaltaMalta
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...
, and went on to become a diocesan priest. He then studied theology in Rome, from where he obtained his graduate colours.
Thereafter, he immediately began teaching dogmatic theology at the Collegio Urbano de Propaganda Fide, in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. While there, he was also installed as librarian of Propaganda Fide, and chosen as secretary to the pontifical councils. He dedicated much of his intellectual energies to the anti-reformist polemic which was in full swing during his times.
After many years working hard in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Bencini expected to be awarded for his efforts. However, no official recognition was forthcoming, and this left him quite embittered. Sick of waiting, he thus left Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
and went to Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, in northern Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. There, at least, he was made professor at the University of Turin
University of Turin
The University of Turin is a university in the city of Turin in the Piedmont region of north-western Italy...
. He mainly taught theology and Holy Scripture. He seems to have been glad at his new place of adoption. For, from his personal financial resources, he paid for the establishment of a Chair of Apologetics
Apologetics
Apologetics is the discipline of defending a position through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers Apologetics (from Greek ἀπολογία, "speaking in defense") is the discipline of defending a position (often religious) through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers...
, and also established a Catholic school of catechism
Catechism
A catechism , i.e. to indoctrinate) is a summary or exposition of doctrine, traditionally used in Christian religious teaching from New Testament times to the present...
.
Bencini probably died in Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
. No portrait of him is known to exist so far.
Main work
All of Bencini’s manuscripts are still held at the University of TurinUniversity of Turin
The University of Turin is a university in the city of Turin in the Piedmont region of north-western Italy...
. With the exception of the few which Bencini himself published during his lifetime, none of the other manuscripts have ever been set to print. Most of these works deal with themes related to Christian and, in particular, Catholic, apologetics
Apologetics
Apologetics is the discipline of defending a position through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers Apologetics (from Greek ἀπολογία, "speaking in defense") is the discipline of defending a position (often religious) through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers...
.
Amongst those published, his most interesting one (at least from a philosophical point of view) is Philosophia Tabulis Exposita, issued in 1703. This is a work in Latin, and published in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. It carries the sub-title: Varia antiquorum, recentiorumque Philosophorum Placita exhibens, ac perpetius commentarijs illustrata (Illustrations of various known philosophies of ancient and recent times, with each illustration commented).
The book opens with a dedication to an adolescent boy called Alessandro Albani, the nephew of Pope Clement XI
Pope Clement XI
Pope Clement XI , born Giovanni Francesco Albani, was Pope from 1700 until his death in 1721.-Early life:...
Albani (to whom the book is dedicated). This is followed by a description of the work, some general information about the illustrations produced, the commemorative reason for publishing the work, and finally the method used for the exposition of the illustrations.
The main part of the book contains the illustrations. These are divided into three sections. The first deals with philosophy in general; the second with dialectics; the third with logic
Logic
In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...
. Six illustrations are presented in the first series of illustrations, seven in the second, and nine in the third. Each illustrtion is followed by a long description of it, each presented in a thoroughly systematic way, and with great clarity. The parts dealing with dialectics and logic
Logic
In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...
are basically based on Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
. The first section deals mostly with classical Greek philosophy.
Other works
Other published works by Bencini, though not of a philosophical purport, are Præfatio dicta ante disputationem thesium (Preface as an Afterword of a Disputation of Theses; 1687) and Il Concilio di Calcedonia (The Council of ChalcedonCouncil of Chalcedon
The Council of Chalcedon was a church council held from 8 October to 1 November, 451 AD, at Chalcedon , on the Asian side of the Bosporus. The council marked a significant turning point in the Christological debates that led to the separation of the church of the Eastern Roman Empire in the 5th...
; 1715). Both deal with apologetical themes, particularly in reference to reformation.
Sources
- Mark Montebello, Il-Ktieb tal-Filosofija f’Malta (A Source Book of Philosophy in Malta), PIN Publications, Malta, 2001.
See also
Philosophy in MaltaPhilosophy in Malta
Philosophy in Malta refers to philosophy done by Maltese nationals or of Maltese descent, whether living in Malta or abroad, whether writing in their native Maltese language or in a foreign language.-Short history:...