Entrance to the Palace
Palazzo Serra di Cassano and the Italian Institute for Philosophical Studies
Founded in 1975 in Rome at the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei by Gerardo Marotta, in the presence of Enrico Cerulli, Elena Croce, Pietro Piovani, and Giovanni Pugliese Carratelli, the Italian Institute for Philosophical Studies initially carried out its activities at Viale Calascione (Naples), in the library of the founder. Scholars and research fellows from across Italy and Europe gathered there, but as workshops and conferences grew more crowded, the space soon became too small. In 1983, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage acquired Palazzo Serra di Cassano, incorporating it into the state’s patrimony and designating it as the Institute’s permanent headquarters—an ideal location suited to the breadth and richness of its initiatives. This ensured the preservation of the Palace’s noble floor while enhancing its public accessibility. However, the Institute’s residence in the halls of Palazzo Serra di Cassano is also the sign of an intellectual affinity: its founding principles are deeply linked to the revolutionary experience of 1799.
Palazzo Serra di Cassano and the Italian Institute for Philosophical Studies
Founded in 1975 in Rome at the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei by Gerardo Marotta, in the presence of Enrico Cerulli, Elena Croce, Pietro Piovani, and Giovanni Pugliese Carratelli, the Italian Institute for Philosophical Studies initially carried out its activities at Viale Calascione (Naples), in the library of the founder. Scholars and research fellows from across Italy and Europe gathered there, but as workshops and conferences grew more crowded, the space soon became too small. In 1983, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage acquired Palazzo Serra di Cassano, incorporating it into the state’s patrimony and designating it as the Institute’s permanent headquarters—an ideal location suited to the breadth and richness of its initiatives. This ensured the preservation of the Palace’s noble floor while enhancing its public accessibility. However, the Institute’s residence in the halls of Palazzo Serra di Cassano is also the sign of an intellectual affinity: its founding principles are deeply linked to the revolutionary experience of 1799.
A Crossroads of European Culture
The revolutionary events of 1799 marked the culmination of a centuries-old cultural tradition of Humanism. On this legacy the Institute created its ideal foundations. This vision led Paul Dibon, an important scholar of the history of ideas, to describe it as a "crossroads of European culture." Through an extensive program of conferences, workshops and lectures, along with a vast publishing activity, the Institute quickly became a point of reference for the philosophical studies, for the humanities and the sciences, both nationally and internationally. The most distinguished figures —from world-renowned intellectuals to Nobel laureates and prominent political figures—have ascended the grand Sanfelice staircase, accompanied by generations of young scholars supported with scholarships and research grants.
Gerardo Marotta
The motto of the Serra di cassano family Venturi non immemor aevi —"Not forgetting the future"— draws attention to the responsibility to the young generations as the main task of culture and its civic engagement. This was the commitment of Gerardo Marotta, the founder of the Italian Institute for Philosophical Studies. Born on April 26, 1927, he remained active in Naples until his passing on January 25, 2017. "An exemplary figure of faith in the Enlightenment, both for our time and the future"—this is how philosopher Jacques Derrida described him, recalling his "irresistible aura of intellectual seduction." A "navigator of culture", Marotta sought to revive cultural traditions and their treasures, drawing from a vast and multifaceted knowledge that is reflected in the immense library he amassed over decades of passionate bibliophilic research. His vision transformed the Institute and Palace Serra di Cassano into "a castle under perpetual construction and restoration [...], a monastery shielded from the world, a surviving medieval university, and an international 21st-century college."
Reviving Humanism
According to Giovanni Pugliese Carratelli, a distinguished scholar of ancient civilizations, the role of the Italian Institute for Philosophical Studies is deeply rooted in classical tradition. It is not an accident that it was born in Naples, the city that hosted the famous schools of Pythagoreanism, Eleatic philosophy, the profound message of Platonism, and the humanistic revival of classical culture. Building upon this inheritance, Gerardo Marotta also drew inspiration from the idea of the circulation of European culture: a culture that originated in the Italian Renaissance, passed into German philosophy, and returned to Italy and Naples through the works of the Silvio e Bertrando Spaventa, Francesco De Sanctis and Benedetto Croce. In this intellectual framework, idealism meets with democratic Enlightenment values and trust in reason: in this spirit, Hans-Georg Gadamer, a towering figure in 20th-century philosophy who was a frequent guest at the Institute, facilitated a fruitful encounter between classical antiquity and hermeneutic thought through countless workshops "in the form of a dialogue" held since 1978.
Europe
The 1799 Revolution, "in its brevity, which does not diminish its exemplary power," demonstrated that the ancient intellectual heritage of the Italian tradition could serve as a strong catalyst for the formation of an independent national state governed by liberal principles. From this point of view the legacy of 1799 is intertwined with the ideals of the Risorgimento, promoting a vision that reconnects national consciousness with European awareness. The Institute affirms civic solidarity, the concept of the state as a community of citizens, a strong European vocation, and the central role of philosophy in dialogue with all branches of knowledge.
Polycentrism and Bridging the Divide Between the Humanities and Sciences
The civil mission of philosophy as a discipline in constant dialogue with other fields and the arts underpins the Italian Institute for Philosophical Studies’ unwavering support for public education. The Institute seeks to integrate different levels of education by connecting schools and universities, public debate and specialized research. This commitment explains its polycentric nature—expanding beyond Palazzo Serra di Cassano into Southern Italy, the rest of the country, and Europe—while fostering an ongoing dialogue between the humanities and the sciences.
The South for Italy
The Institute’s educational initiatives are distinguished by their quality and diversity, attracting prominent scholars from Italy and abroad in collaboration with research institutions and universities. All activities are open to the public. The seminars focus on major themes across the history of philosophy, emphasizing interdisciplinary perspectives, fostering discussion, critical exchange, and opportunities for personal interaction and intellectual collaboration. Through training and research scholarships, many young scholars gain direct access to renowned experts, becoming part of a community that values broad theoretical perspectives, bringing together different competencies, interests, and backgrounds. In this way, the Institute serves not only as a provider of opportunities and a training ground for new generations but also as an intellectual hub.
Understanding Our Time Through Thought
Philosophical reflection helps create and refine the conceptual structures that shape our worldview. This task becomes all the more critical in an era of rapid historical transformation, where the sense of what it means to be human is constantly being redefined. From this perspective, the Italian Institute for Philosophical Studies aims to engage with the present, incorporating emerging fields of knowledge into its activities, with a particular focus on technological change and evolving ways of inhabiting the world. In this spirit, alongside its extensive publishing activity, the Institute has developed digital projects available on its website. These initiatives promote experimental research in language and methodology, advancing the dissemination of philosophical content through various channels. The goal is to bridge the Institute’s vast historical archive (audio, video, photographic records, texts) with the creation of new content, encouraging research and innovation.
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