Nicola Abbagnano

Italian philosopher

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July 23, 2026

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Nicola Abbagnano was an Italian philosopher known for his contributions to existentialism. Existentialism emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice, positing that individuals define themselves through their actions and decisions within their specific circumstances. Abbagnano's work is associated with Italian existentialism, and he is noted for his philosophical insights within this tradition.1

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2 Britannica Sources

existentialism - Nature of existentialist thought and manner
Italian literature - Benedetto Croce ’s criticism

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existentialism
Nature of existentialist thought and manner
…that of Italian existentialism was Nicola Abbagnano. The linguistic differences, however, are not decisive for a determination of philosophical affinities. For example, Marcel and Sartre were farther apart than Heidegger and Sartre; and there was greater affinity between Abbagnano and Merleau-Ponty than between Merleau-Ponty and Marcel.
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…that of Italian existentialism was Nicola Abbagnano. The linguistic differences, however, are not decisive for a determination of philosophical affinities. For example, Marcel and Sartre were farther apart than Heidegger and Sartre; and there was greater affinity between Abbagnano and Merleau-Ponty than between Merleau-Ponty and Marcel.
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existentialism
The human situation in the world
…that direction were taken by Abbagnano and by Merleau-Ponty. According to the latter, considerations of probability are rooted in the being of humans, inasmuch as they are situated in the world and invested with the ambiguity of events. Merleau-Ponty wrote in his Phénoménologie de la perception (1945; Phenomenology of Perception):
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…that direction were taken by Abbagnano and by Merleau-Ponty. According to the latter, considerations of probability are rooted in the being of humans, inasmuch as they are situated in the world and invested with the ambiguity of events. Merleau-Ponty wrote in his Phénoménologie de la perception (1945; Phenomenology of Perception):
Read More