This chapter begins with a chastisement of  the thoughts of Francis Bacon, who according to Vico acted like  a “potentate of [a] mighty empire” that upon reaching the highest  ranking available lost all sense of reason and practicality in a search of a wisdom that is “complete perfection” (Vico 4).  From his criticisms of Bacon one can see that Vico believed that perfection is unattainable in nature and that the wisdom of man is “limited and imperfect” (Vico 4).
I thought it was interesting that he chose to compare ancient methods of study to current methods.  Can we compare a field in its infancy to one that has gone through many years of evolution?  He alludes to the idea that today, one cannot know everything because there is simply too much to know.  Since the advent of computers, especially the internet, the world has shrunk to the size of a desktop yet it contains a store of information so vast no mind can know all aspects of it. Vico wrote that “at the present time no person can master even a single subject” our store of knowledge is so great (Vico 76).
I found one of his criticisms on the training of young men to be particularly intriguing. Vico felt that instead of studying only one side of an argument students should study  both sides.  In doing this, along with a “strengthened common sense,” and a “fortified” imagination and memory, students would be able to become “exact in science, clever in practical matters, fluent in eloquence, imaginative in understanding poetry or painting, and strong in memorizing what they have learned in their legal studies” (Vico 19).   That is a lot for a person to be able to do simply from learning to argue.  He doesn’t address the physical needs for these thing to be achieved as the ancients did.  The only time we see a physical requirement is later on when he mentions that of “poetical genius” being “a gift from heaven” (Vico 41).Can anyone reach this elevated level of intelligence through diligence or is it only for the naturally gifted few?
Another problem that I found was in his suggestion that we “coordinate” our education now so that it is more complete and in “harmony” with our “religion” and with the “political system” that we have.  How could we do that when we preach that we are founded on diversity in all things?  What religion should we try to harmonize with?
So, what is good persuasion to Vico?  Vico argues that there are only two things that can sway the “soul” (Vico 38).  The first is philosophy and the second is eloquence. Because the “vulgus,” are driven by their earthly appetites or their passionate side a speaker must appeal to that aspect of their nature.  If all men were capable of reason then persuasion would be easier.  Unfortunately, not all men are reasonable. I have a new word now for the unreasonable and earthy population of our society, the vulgus.
On a side note, I found his reasons for the French language not being fit for “stately prose nor sublime verse” confusing but the ending conclusion was amusing.  He insults their language and then goes on to compliment them on the same page.  I thought that this fit in with his