Why did Giambattista Vico value poetry, history, and public speaking in education?

Giambattista Vico valued poetry, history, and public speaking in education because he believed they were essential for developing a young person's imagination, memory, and common sense, which he considered prerequisites for sound judgment.1

In his work De Nostri Temporis Studiorum Ratione, Vico criticized the rationalistic educational methods of his time, particularly the early emphasis on logic advocated by Cartesians. He argued that teaching logic before a student has acquired sufficient knowledge and experience leads to premature and flawed judgments.1

Instead, Vico proposed that education should follow a more natural course:
* Poetry: Reading poets nourishes the imagination, which Vico viewed as a fundamental human faculty that precedes rational thought.1
* History and Oratory: Studying historians and orators helps develop memory and provides students with the "common sense" and practical wisdom necessary to navigate probabilities in human affairs.1

By prioritizing these humanistic studies, Vico aimed to cultivate the practical judgment required for life, ensuring that students were well-grounded before engaging in abstract logical training.1