Date of Birth: April 22, 1942
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Biography
Giorgio Agamben is an Italian philosopher best known for his work that merges philosophy with literary theory, political science, and theology. Born in Rome, Italy, Agamben’s intellectual journey began with a law degree from the University of Rome, La Sapienza, in 1965. He later studied under influential figures such as Martin Heidegger and Hannah Arendt, which significantly shaped his philosophical outlook. Agamben’s oeuvre is vast, encompassing themes such as the state of exception, sovereignty, and biopolitics. His most influential work, “Homo Sacer: Sovereign Power and Bare Life,” examines the relationship between the state and individuals, focusing on how governments exert control over life itself. Agamben has held academic positions at various prestigious institutions, including the University of Verona, the Collège International de Philosophie in Paris, and New York University.
5 Interesting Facts about Giorgio Agamben
1. Giorgio Agamben was influenced by the writings of Walter Benjamin, whose concepts of history and politics deeply impacted Agamben’s thought.
2. Agamben has been a vocal critic of the use of emergency powers by governments, particularly in response to global crises such as terrorism and pandemics.
3. His book “State of Exception” explores how governments use crises to bypass the rule of law.
4. Agamben has also written extensively on aesthetics, including a notable analysis of the concept of “gesture” in art and performance.
5. He declined to accept the prestigious Prix Européen de l’Essai Charles Veillon in 2006 as a protest against the treatment of immigrants in Europe.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Giorgio Agamben
1. “The state of exception is not a special kind of law (like the law of war); rather, it is a suspension of law itself.”
2. “The tradition of the oppressed teaches us that ‘the state of emergency’ in which we live is not the exception but the rule.”
3. “To write poetry after Auschwitz is barbaric.”
4. “The fundamental political task is to decide who will live and who will die.”
5. “Homo Sacer is he whom the sovereign has decided can be killed without committing homicide.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Giorgio Agamben’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $1 million, primarily derived from his academic positions, publications, and lectures.
Children
There is no public information available about Giorgio Agamben having any children.
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