Giorgio Rizzo

Giorgio Rizzo is an Associate Professor of Theoretical Philosophy at the University of Salento, Italy, where he is affiliated with the Department of Humanities. He holds a PhD in Ethics and Anthropology from the University of Salento and has pursued advanced studies at Ludwig Maximilians Universität in Munich and the New School for Social Research in New York. He has been instrumental in expanding the philosophical curriculum by launching the first course on African metaphysics, ontology, and ethics at his institution in 2022. He teaches regularly at the University of Zambia and Saint Bonaventure University in Lusaka, where he also directs the African Center for Applied Phenomenology.

• Position: Associate Professor
• Institution: University of Salento
• Department: Department of Humanities
• Email: giorgio.rizzo@unisalento.it
• Research Centers: Co-director of the Center for Hermeneutics and Applied Phenomenology (CHAP); Director, African Center for Applied Phenomenology, Zambia

Giorgio Rizzo’s academic background includes a PhD from the University of Salento (2000) with a thesis on Hannah Arendt’s faculty of judgment. He studied at Ludwig Maximilians Universität, Munich (1995–2000), and the New School for Social Research, New York (2001). He was a member of the Californian Phenomenology Circle and the American Husserl Circle during his time at the University of California, Irvine (2001–2006).

Rizzo’s research spans a broad spectrum of philosophical domains, with a strong emphasis on phenomenology, particularly the works of Husserl, Heidegger, and Arendt. He has made significant contributions to the philosophy of language, especially through detailed analyses of Wittgenstein’s later work on color, time, and private language. His work in the philosophy of mind engages with figures such as Sellars, Davidson, and Searle, while also incorporating neurophenomenological perspectives. He is developing a novel theory of atmospherical perception, which bridges phenomenology with contemporary African philosophy. Additionally, he explores mathematical logic as a tool for critical thinking and democratic discourse.

His recent and forthcoming publications reflect a consistent engagement with core phenomenological themes, including intentionality, spatiality, judgment, and the interplay between logic and lived experience. Articles such as “The Atmospheric Turn in Phenomenology” (2025), “Husserlian Monadology” (2024), and “Mathematics and Ontology in Alain Badiou” (2024) demonstrate his ability to synthesize continental and analytic traditions. His work often critiques reductive models in cognitive science and philosophy, advocating for a more nuanced, experientially grounded approach.

Rizzo has no listed scientific awards in the provided texts.

Giorgio Rizzo is actively involved in academic leadership and international collaboration. He co-edits the international journal Signs and Comprehension and co-directs the Center for Hermeneutics and Applied Phenomenology. He regularly teaches in Zambia and has established a transnational academic presence. While no specific grants or advising roles are detailed, his leadership in research centers and editorial work indicates a strong commitment to mentoring and scholarly community building.

He is co-director of the Center for Hermeneutics and Applied Phenomenology (CHAP) and director of the African Center for Applied Phenomenology at Saint Bonaventure University in Lusaka, Zambia. These centers serve as hubs for interdisciplinary and intercultural philosophical inquiry, particularly focused on applying phenomenological methods to African thought and global ethical issues.