Paolo Virno

Paolo Virno was an Italian philosopher, semiologist, and a prominent figure in the Italian Marxist movement. Born in Naples on May 14, 1952, Virno became involved in political activism early on, participating in the social movements of 1968. He studied philosophy at Sapienza University of Rome and was active in the labor movement with the organization Potere Operaio. His political involvement led to his arrest in 1979, accused of belonging to the Red Brigades. He spent several years in prison, during which he engaged in intensive philosophical study. After being acquitted in 1987, he organized the publication *Luogo Comune* to disseminate his political ideas. Virno taught philosophy at various universities, including the University of Urbino and Roma Tre University, specializing in philosophy of language, semiotics, and ethics of communication. His work explored themes of subjectivity, language, materialism, and political philosophy, often in dialogue with Marxist traditions. He died on November 7, 2025, at the age of 73.