Filippo Mignini

Filippo Mignini is a full professor of History of Philosophy at the University of Macerata since 1987, serving as Director of the Department of Humanistic Studies since 2012. Born in 1946, he holds a licentiate in Theology (1969) from Lateran University and a philosophy degree (1972) from La Sapienza University of Rome. Prior roles include researcher at the University of L'Aquila (1976–1986) and Director of the Matteo Ricci Institute for East Relations (2001–2011). His research focuses on Spinoza studies, intercultural dialogue through Matteo Ricci's works, and the history of philosophical concepts like emptiness and power.

Education

• Licentiate in Theology, Lateran University of Rome (1969)
• Laurea in Philosophy, La Sapienza University of Rome (1972)

Research Interests

His work bridges Spinozism, early modern Dutch and Italian philosophy, and the cultural exchanges between Europe and China during the Ming Dynasty. Key themes include the philosophy of tolerance, the role of imagination in Spinoza’s writings, and the intellectual legacy of Matteo Ricci’s cross-cultural mediation.

Recent Publications

Recent work emphasizes Spinoza’s critique of religious tolerance (2014), the cartographic collaborations of Matteo Ricci in Rome (2013), and the intersections of Averroism with radical Enlightenment thought (2013). His translations and commentaries on Spinoza’s early texts (e.g., 2012) highlight methodological rigor in textual analysis.

Awards & Grants

No explicit awards listed, though his editorial roles include co-directing the SPINOZANA series and the Complete Works of Matteo Ricci project. Participated in the national Atlas of European Reason research initiative (2010–2013).

Labs/Teams

Leads the Department of Humanistic Studies at the University of Macerata and previously directed the Matteo Ricci Institute. Collaborates on international projects like the PRIN initiative on European reason and Chinese cultural models.