The Paradox of Homo Sacer: The Voice of "Bare Life" in the Philosophy of Giorgio Agamben

Authors

  • Yana V. Posokhova Белгородский государственный институт искусств и культуры
  • Sergey N. Borisov Belgorod State National Research University
  • Olga N. Rimskaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52575/2712-746X-2025-50-4-687-693

Keywords:

Giorgio Agamben, bare life, biopolitics, state of exception, migration, refugees, camp, sovereignty

Abstract

This article examines the relevance of the key concept suggested by the Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben – "bare life" (nuda vita) – for a critical understanding of the migration phenomenon in the 21st century. The genealogy of the concept, dating back to the Aristotelian distinction between "zoe" (biological existence) and "bios" (politically qualified life), is analyzed. It is demonstrated how the mechanisms of sovereign power, producing "bare life," place migrants and refugees in a "state of exception," where they find themselves in a legal vacuum, being included in the political order solely through their exclusion.

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Author Biographies

Yana V. Posokhova, Белгородский государственный институт искусств и культуры

Postgraduate Student, Department  of  Philosophy,  Cultural  Studies  and Science  Studies,  Belgorod  State  Institute  of  Arts and Culture,
Belgorod, Russia
E-mail: yana-posohova@mail.ru

Sergey N. Borisov, Belgorod State National Research University

Doctor of Philosophy, Professor, Professor of the Department of Philosophy, Cultural Studies and Science Studies, Belgorod State Institute of Arts and Culture; Professor of the Department of Philosophy and Theology, Belgorod State National Research University,
Belgorod, Russia
E-mail: Borisov_SN@bsuedu.ru

Olga N. Rimskaya

Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Associate Professor, Professor of the Department of Philosophy, Cultural Studies and Science Studies, Belgorod State Institute of Arts and Culture,
Belgorod, Russia
E-mail: olgarimskaja@rambler.ru

References

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Published

2025-12-30

How to Cite

Posokhova, Y. V., Borisov, S. N., & Rimskaya, O. N. (2025). The Paradox of Homo Sacer: The Voice of "Bare Life" in the Philosophy of Giorgio Agamben. NOMOTHETIKA: Philosophy. Sociology. Law, 50(4), 687-693. https://doi.org/10.52575/2712-746X-2025-50-4-687-693

Issue

Vol. 50 No. 4 (2025)

Section

History of philosophy, social sciences and humanities

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