Far and Near: A Parallel Study between Lorenzo Valla and Li Zhi

Abstract

The fifteenth-century Italian humanist Lorenzo Valla (1407–1457) and the Chinese philosopher of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) Li Zhi 李贄 (1527–1602) are both famous for their rebellion against the mainstream culture of their respective nations and times. A parallel study of the writers allows us to consider fifteenth-century Italy alongside sixteenth-century China, and vice versa. The similarities and differences provide perspective on both cultures, and on the reciprocal influence between philosophy and social development.