Early Phenomenology in Italy: Antonio Banfi and the Transcendental Turn in Italian Philosophy

This paper deals with the early entrance of phenomenology in Italy (1923–1926). It focuses on the work of Antonio Banfi, from his early essays devoted to Husserl’s work to the release of his main work, the Principi di una teoria della ragione. It emphasizes the essential role of Husserl’s philosophy in the evolution of Italian thought. It pays special attention to the relevance of phenomenology for the development of a transcendental philosophy in Italy. Finally, it suggests that Banfi’s philosophy sets key conceptual tools for thinking of philosophy as a cross-cultural endeavor.