Roberto Esposito

Roberto Esposito (born August 4, 1950) is an Italian political philosopher and critical theorist, recognized for his significant contributions to the fields of biopolitics, Italian thought, and metaphysics. He has served as an emeritus professor of theoretical philosophy at the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa. Esposito's philosophical inquiry is deeply rooted in the re-examination of classical political concepts, focusing on their relevance and transformation in contemporary society. His early work engaged with the concept of the 'impolitical,' which he developed as a counterpoint to the perceived retreat of the political in neoliberal and post-political eras. This concept, inspired by thinkers like Carl Schmitt and Jacques Derrida, suggests an outer limit of the political that offers possibilities for rethinking political discourse beyond traditional frameworks of representation and transcendentalism. Esposito is perhaps most widely known for his 'biopolitical trilogy,' comprising 'Communitas: The Origin and Destiny of Community,' 'Immunitas: The Protection and Negation of Life,' and 'Bíos: Biopolitics and Philosophy.' In this influential body of work, he explores the complex relationship between community and immunity, arguing that modern political thought is often characterized by 'immunitas'—a form of exemption from obligations that leads to exclusionary practices and a negation of life. He advocates for an 'affirmative biopolitics' that seeks to balance community and immunity, fostering life rather than dominating it. His later work has delved into the 'impersonal' as a paradigm for reuniting biological and intellectual life, and he has explored 'Italian thought' as a distinct philosophical tradition characterized by its focus on life, history, and politics. More recently, Esposito has turned his attention to the philosophy of institutions, examining their role in political ontology and their relationship with life itself.