Born in Caltanissetta on 22 June 1945. He is Rector of IULM University and he is Chairman of the Italian Commission for UNESCO.

He was enrolled in the Order of Journalists in 1972, in 1974 he became full Professor of History of Philosophy. In 1993 he took on the position of Full Professor of Comparative Literature.

In June 2011 he was awarded an honorary doctorate in Philology from Salamanca University (Spain).

He has been Vice President of the National Commission for the Promotion of Italian Culture Abroad and is a member of the working group set up for the Promotion of Italian Culture Abroad At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He is Dean of the Committee of the National Rectors Conference (“CRUI”).
He is National Co-ordinator of the non-State Universities.

From 2005 he is Chairman of the “Fondazione Sicilia” (formerly known as Fondazione Banco di Sicilia). He is a member of the board of directors of the ACRI – Associazione delle Casse di Risparmio Italiane e delle Fondazioni di Origine Bancaria and he is a member of the board of directors of the Banca Sistema, Fondazione con il Sud and of the Istituto dell’Enciclopedia Italiana “G. Treccani” wich he is Vice Chairman.

He is the author of a very large number of publications and essays. He dedicated his scientific interest in aesthetics, philospphy and critical studies. His latest book is Il tempo della crisi, Sellerio Editore, 2015.