The National Philosophy Prize "The figures of thought" was established by the National Philosophical Practices Association in 2007. The idea came from the desire of the philosopher Mario Guarna, President of the Award, to give visibility to those western and eastern philosophical forms, which they are often not taken into consideration by traditional philosophy.
In the first editions of the award, the sections have been defined: "Aphorisms", "Paradoxes", "Haiku", "Ossimori", "Assurdi" and "Koan". Over the years, the following sections have been added: "Epitaffi", "Philosophical Magazine", "Philosophical Essay", "Philosophy Award", "Philosophical Practices", "Philosophical Event", "Academic Research".
Authors from all over the world participated in the editions of the Prize and 192 winners were awarded in the different sections. At the media level, the National Philosophy Award has found excellent feedback with articles published in local, national and magazines.
The novelty of the seventh edition was the publication of the volume The figures of thought, which collects the finalist works of the sections: Aphorisms, Junior Aphorisms, Haiku, Epitaffi, Paradoxes and philosophical tales. In the announcement of the eleventh edition the section "Thought image" was inserted. In the twelfth edition the section "Junior Aphorisms" was inserted.

Mario Guarna graduated in Philosophy in 2004 at the University of Florence. In the same year his unpublished work Mirò is elsewhere is rewarded with the Golden Florin at the Florence International Prize. In 2006 he was awarded the first prize at the "Totus Tuus" National Award for his degree thesis, Philosophy of the Far - The theory of humor in Pirandello.
In January 2007 he founded the National Philosophical Practices Association, of which he became president, converted, in August 2014, into the Professional Philosophical Practices Association.
In April 2006, he established and presided over the National Philosophy Award "The figures of Thought", which reached the thirteenth edition this year.