I’m Nicola Polloni, the editor of Potestas Essendi: you will find here much information about my work and research so a short introduction is necessary. I grew up in Tuscany, surrounded by medieval buildings and centuries-long traditions. Although I travelled much during my career, I still believe that my Tuscan roots have brought about much of my passion for how history shapes our lives. My philosophical training refined this vision of a world that is fashioned by complexity and needs to be carefully analysed in all its constitutive aspects to finally appreciate its constitutive patterns of simplicity.

In academia, my work is centred on medieval philosophy, more specifically on the ontological constitution of the natural world – why a thing is what it is according to the way it is naturally made. Before the European scientific revolution, the answer to this question was given by a theory called “hylomorphism”, which claimed that all bodies are made of matter and form. I am particularly passionate about the philosophical puzzles arising from the notions of matter and prime matter.

A better academia is nurtured by constant effort. Let’s level the playing field together leaving no room for intolerance, exclusion, racism, and elitism. It is our responsibility – to our students, ourselves, and our society.