Emanuele Severino, born on February 26, 1929, in Brescia, Italy, was a towering figure in the world of philosophy. Renowned for his complex and provocative ideas, Severino challenged the fundamental tenets of Western metaphysics, earning both acclaim and controversy throughout his career. His work, which spanned over seven decades, delved into the nature of being, time, and existence, and offered a radical reinterpretation of the Western philosophical tradition. This article explores the life, ideas, and legacy of Emanuele Severino, providing detailed insights into his contributions to philosophy and the broader intellectual landscape.
Early Life and Academic Beginnings
Emanuele Severino was born into a family that valued education and intellectual pursuit. His early fascination with mathematics suggested a path towards the sciences, but a pivotal influence redirected his focus towards philosophy. This influence came from his older brother, Giuseppe, who had been attending lectures by Giovanni Gentile, a leading Italian philosopher and proponent of actual idealism. Tragically, Giuseppe died in 1942 on the French front, when Emanuele was just thirteen. This event deeply affected Severino, steering him towards philosophy as a way to continue his brother’s intellectual legacy.
Severino pursued his philosophical studies at the University of Pavia, where he completed his thesis on Martin Heidegger and metaphysics in 1950. This early work foreshadowed the central themes of his later philosophy, particularly his engagement with Heidegger’s ideas and the broader question of being.
Early Career and Philosophical Development
After earning his degree, Severino quickly established himself in the academic world. In 1951, at just 23 years old, he obtained a teaching position in theoretical philosophy, a remarkable achievement that highlighted his intellectual promise. He began his teaching career at the Catholic University of Milan, where he would later become a full professor of moral philosophy in 1962.
During these early years, Severino’s philosophical ideas began to crystallize. Influenced by both Heidegger and the ancient Greek philosopher Parmenides, Severino developed a distinctive approach that questioned the very foundations of Western thought. He argued that the Western philosophical tradition, from Plato onwards, was fundamentally flawed because it embraced the notion of becoming—that is, the idea that things come into being and pass out of being. For Severino, this belief in becoming was a form of “nihilism,” a denial of the true nature of being.
The Central Tenets of Severino’s Philosophy
At the heart of Severino’s philosophy is the concept of “eternity.” Severino posited that everything that exists is eternal, including every moment of life, every emotion, and every aspect of reality. According to Severino, the belief that things come into being and then perish—an idea deeply embedded in Western thought—is an illusion. In reality, nothing truly disappears; everything is eternal and exists in a state of unchanging being.
This radical idea placed Severino in direct opposition to much of Western metaphysics, which is grounded in the belief in change and impermanence. Severino saw this belief as the “madness” of the West, a fundamental error that has shaped not only philosophical thought but also the social and political institutions of Western civilization.
Severino’s critique extended to the modern world, particularly the dominance of technology and scientific rationality. He argued that modern technology represents the latest manifestation of the West’s nihilistic worldview, a worldview that seeks to dominate and control nature by reducing it to a mere object of manipulation. For Severino, the technological mindset is the culmination of the West’s long history of nihilism, and it leads humanity further away from a true understanding of being.
The Controversy with the Catholic Church
Severino’s ideas, particularly his rejection of the concept of becoming, brought him into conflict with the Catholic Church. Given that the doctrine of creation and the notion of temporal existence are central to Christian theology, Severino’s philosophy was seen as deeply problematic from a religious perspective. His teachings led to his departure from the Catholic University of Milan in 1969, marking a significant turning point in his career.
Despite this rupture with the Church, Severino continued to develop his ideas and found a new academic home at the University of Venice (Ca’ Foscari), where he served as the director of the Department of Philosophy and Theory of Science until 1989. His tenure at Ca’ Foscari allowed him to expand his philosophical work and engage with a broader intellectual audience.
The Influence and Legacy of Severino’s Work
Severino’s philosophy has had a profound impact on the field of metaphysics and the broader intellectual discourse. His reinterpretation of the history of Western philosophy as a history of nihilism has influenced a generation of thinkers, particularly in Italy, where his work is regarded as one of the most original contributions to contemporary philosophy.
One of Severino’s most significant contributions is his critique of the “fideism of becoming”—the belief that things are in a constant state of flux and that this flux is real. For Severino, this belief underlies all of Western thought and is the source of its nihilistic tendencies. By contrast, Severino argued for a return to a “Parmenidean” understanding of being, where change is seen as an illusion and all things are understood to exist eternally.
Severino’s influence extends beyond academic philosophy. He was a regular contributor to major Italian newspapers, including Corriere della Sera, where he offered philosophical reflections on contemporary events. His ability to engage with the public and apply his philosophical insights to the challenges of modern life made him a respected voice in Italian intellectual culture.
Severino’s Major Works and Philosophical Contributions
Over the course of his career, Emanuele Severino published numerous works that have become foundational texts in contemporary philosophy. Some of his most important works include:
- “La Struttura Originaria” (The Original Structure): Published in 1957, this work lays out Severino’s early ideas on the nature of being and the critique of Western metaphysics.
- “Essenza del Nichilismo” (The Essence of Nihilism): In this 1972 book, Severino explores the concept of nihilism in depth, arguing that the belief in becoming is the essential feature of Western thought.
- “Destino della Necessità” (The Destiny of Necessity): Published in 1980, this work further develops Severino’s ideas on the eternal nature of being and the implications of this view for understanding history and existence.
- “Techne: Le Radici della Violenza” (Techne: The Roots of Violence): This 1979 work critiques the modern technological mindset, arguing that it represents the culmination of the West’s nihilistic worldview.
In addition to these works, Severino’s autobiography, “Il mio ricordo degli eterni” (My Memory of the Eternal), published in 2011, provides personal insights into his life and philosophical journey.
The Final Years and Death of Emanuele Severino
Emanuele Severino continued to write and engage with philosophical issues well into his later years. His work remained influential in both academic and public spheres, and he continued to be a sought-after commentator on issues of philosophy, technology, and culture.
Severino passed away on January 17, 2020, just shy of his 91st birthday. His death marked the end of a remarkable intellectual journey, but his ideas continue to resonate, challenging and inspiring those who encounter his work.
Historical Context and Intellectual Significance
To fully appreciate Severino’s contributions, it is essential to understand the broader historical and intellectual context in which he worked. Severino’s philosophy emerged in the mid-20th century, a time of significant upheaval and change in both Italy and the wider world. The aftermath of World War II, the rise of technology, and the increasing secularization of society all provided a backdrop to Severino’s critique of Western thought.
Severino’s work can be seen as a response to the existential crises of the 20th century, including the horrors of war, the alienation of modern life, and the pervasive sense of meaninglessness that many experienced in the face of rapid technological change. His insistence on the eternal nature of being offered a radical alternative to the prevailing narratives of progress and change, challenging the very foundations of modern thought.
Severino’s philosophy also engages with the broader tradition of Western metaphysics, from the ancient Greeks to contemporary thinkers. His critique of becoming can be seen as a continuation of the debates between Heraclitus and Parmenides, but with a modern twist that incorporates insights from existentialism, phenomenology, and contemporary science.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Emanuele Severino
Emanuele Severino’s life and work stand as a testament to the power of philosophy to challenge our deepest assumptions and reshape our understanding of the world. His critique of Western metaphysics, his radical rethinking of the nature of being, and his profound insights into the human condition have left an indelible mark on the intellectual landscape.
As we reflect on Severino’s legacy, it is clear that his ideas will continue to provoke and inspire future generations of philosophers and thinkers. His insistence on the eternal nature of all things offers a powerful counter-narrative to the dominant ideologies of change and progress, inviting us to reconsider the fundamental nature of reality and our place within it.
Severino’s work reminds us that philosophy is not just an abstract discipline but a vital practice that engages with the deepest questions of existence. In a world that is increasingly dominated by technology and rapid change, Severino’s ideas offer a timely reminder of the need to pause, reflect, and consider the eternal truths that underlie our fleeting experiences.
