Fascistization, Discrimination, and Persecution

Abstract

Prof. Francesco De Sarlo had directed the laboratory and the institute of psychology in Florence for 20 years, but in academic year 1923/24 he suddenly stopped teaching psychology. He did not retire: he had another 15 years to go before his pension. Yet from 1924 on he only kept the course of theoretical philosophy. For all the rest he left the post, so to speak, to his trustworthy 32-year-old laboratory assistant, Enzo Bonaventura, whose teaching and scientific merits had “played an important part” in the Fourth National Congress of the SIP.¹ A few days after it had ended, his mentor passed the baton to his pupil, who could be relied on to continue his work. At least this is the story that is generally told when it comes to Florentine psychology.