PETRONE, IGNIO. - Philosopher and jurist, b. at Limosano (Campobasso) on 21 Sept. 1870, d. at S. Giorgio a Cremano on 26 July 1913. From 1897 he taught philosophy of law at the University of Modena and from 1900 moral philosophy at Naples.
P. is the first Italian thinker to react against positivism (v.), sociologism and historicism and to restore philosophy of law to metaphysical principles (*La fase recentissima della filosofia del diritto in Germania*, Pisa 1895). In his major work *Il diritto nel mondo dello spirito* (Milan 1910) one can detect the influence of Fichte and especially of Hegel. His moral philosophy is more eclectic, seeking to reconcile, through various influences (Rosmini, French indeterminism, etc.), Aristotelian objectivism (v.) and Kantian subjectivism (v.). Significant in this regard are his writings: *I limiti del determinismo scientifico* (Modena 1910); *Etica* (posthumous, ed. G. Mancini, Palermo 1917); *Ascetica* (posthumous, ibid. 1918). The volume *Problemi del mondo morale meditati da un idealista* collects essays and addresses. Lectures and essays have recently been published, edited by G. Del Vecchio, *Filosofia del diritto e saggi di etica, diritto, sociologia*, Milan 1950.