Contraddizione e contraddirsi in Severino

In this paper we analyzed the concepts of contradiction and of contradicting itself
in Severino, who says that the «contradictory content of the contradiction» must be
regarded as completely non-existent, while the «contradicting itself», i.e. the fact
that the subject can make a contradictory statement, must be regarded as existent.
This analysis allows a comparison with the principle of non-contradiction indicated
by Aristotle. The critical reflection is practiced on the concept of negation,
which can not be understood in the sense of an extrinsic activity: in this case, it is
the negation which presupposes the existence of what is negated, therefore also of
the contradiction. It is concluded that the contradiction can not be resolved in the
non-being, but the non-being must be understood as a contradiction. The latter is
to be understood as the act of contradicting itself, that is as the act of transcending
itself.

Keywords: Emanuele Severino, contradiction, contradicting itself, relationship, act