The National Philosophy Prize "The Figures of Thought" was established by the National Association for Philosophical Practices in 2007. The idea came from the desire of philosopher Mario Guarna, President of the Prize, to give visibility to those Western and Eastern philosophical forms, which are often overlooked by mainstream philosophy.
In the first editions of the prize, the following sections were defined: 'Aphorisms', 'Paradoxes', 'Haiku', 'Oxymorons', 'Absurdities' and 'Koan'. Over the years, the sections 'Epitaphs', 'Philosophical Review', 'Philosophical Essay', 'Philosophy Prize', 'Philosophical Practices', 'Philosophical Event' and 'Academic Research' were added.
Authors from all over the world have participated in the editions of the Prize and more than 200 winners have been declared in the different sections. In the media, the National Philosophy Prize has been well received with articles published in local and national newspapers and journals.
New since the eighth edition was the publication of the volume The Figures of Thought, which collects the finalist works in the sections: Aphorisms, Haiku, Epitaphs, Paradoxes and Philosophical Reflection In the announcement of the eleventh edition, the section 'Figures of Thought' was included.

Mario Guarna graduated in Philosophy in 2004 from the University of Florence. In the same year, his unpublished work Mirò è altrove was awarded the Gold Florin at the Florence International Prize. In 2006 his thesis, Filosofia del Lontano-La teoria dell'umorismo in Pirandello, was awarded first prize at the Premio Nazionale "Totus Tuus".
In January 2007, he founded the National Association of Philosophical Practices, of which he became president, which was converted into the Association of Professional Philosophical Practices in August 2014.
In April 2006, he established and presided over the National Philosophy Prize "Le figure del Pensiero", now in its sixteenth year.