LFU:online

The seminar aims to offer an introduction to the contemporary Italian Thought paying particular attention to the political philosophy of Roberto Esposito.

After the explanation of the actual debate on the Italian Difference, the seminar will focus on the affirmative character of Italian Thought: Foucault’s theory of Biopolitics will be developed as affirmative antidote against the dominance of the political theology in the two forms of classical principle of sovereignty (Hobbes) and predominance in our time of economy and technique on politics. Prerequisites of this critic of the political theology are the Italian tradition of political philosophy (Machiavelli, Bruno, Leopardi) and the philosophical Thought of Immanence (Spinoza, Nietzsche, Bergson, Deleuze). In the philosophy of Roberto Esposito this leaving of the political theology is schematically expressed through three conceptual oppositions: common – immune; power – sovereignty; conflict – neutralization. Through the analysis of some important works of Esposito the seminar will explain and critically discuss above all the first of these oppositions. 

Explanation of the questions, free discussion about the subjects which are debated during the lessons, exercises of text-understanding.

Homework on the subjects which were debated during the lessons, starting from an in-depth analysis of the books, which are indicated in the bibliography. Presentations during the lesson on the subjects of the seminary.

- R. Esposito, Living Thought. The origins and actuality of Italian philosophy, Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press 2012.

- R. Esposito, Communitas. Ursprung und Wege der Gemeinschaft, Aus dem Ital. von Sabine Schulz und Francesca Raimondi, Diaphanes, Berlin 2004.

- R. Esposito, Immunitas. Schutz und Negation des Lebens, Aus dem Ital. von Sabine Schulz, Diaphanes, Berlin 2004.

Other indications will be given at the beginning of the seminary