Glimpsing into the wonders of medieval philosophy
Potestas essendi is a website dedicated to the philosophical intricacies of premodern ontologies of nature. Browsing around, you will find a wealth of material and resources tailored for different types of interested netizens. Much of this content explores the interplay between metaphysics and natural philosophy in the Middle Ages, with a particular focus on the concepts of matter, prime matter, and materiality. Yet, there is much more. In the three main libraries, you will find a selection of videos (both specialised and introductory), medieval philosophical texts (in both their original language and translation), and useful tools to shape your academic pursuit. Other sections focus on my career, research, and outputs, with the purpose of making everything available to anyone interested in the main themes of my research (hylomorphism, materiality, transfer of knowledge). Enjoy your wanderings through the website!
About the editor of this website
Since its creation in 2016, Potestas essendi has been owned and edited by Nicola Polloni. I am a professor of medieval philosophy at the University of Messina in Sicily. Yet I grew up in Siena, surrounded by medieval architecture and centuries-old traditions that nurtured my passion for understanding medieval philosophy. In previous years, I had the opportunity to work in various countries, primarily in Belgium, Germany, and the UK, refining both my philosophical training and my eagerness to untangle the beautiful simplicity grounding the intricate complexity we observe in the world. This journey led me to focus my research on the ontological constitution of the natural world. In different ways, my studies delve into the understanding of why things are as they are, exploring their hylomorphic composition of matter and form.
My research and career are shaped by three main ideals, or more precisely, three duties. Firstly, it is our intellectual duty to establish the groundwork for a global history of philosophy in which all human cultures can find representation, eliminating any lingering Eurocentrism. Secondly, it is our epistemic duty to surpass academic compartmentalism and delve into the entanglements that structure human systems of knowledge. Finally, it is our societal duty to level the playing field and make academia an instrument of social and cultural emancipation.
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