Introduzione. Filter e Philter

This volume originates from a seminar series organized within the ERC FACETS project and explores the duality of the term filtro, which in Italian combines the meanings of both “philter” — a magical potion tied to seduction and manipulation—and “filter”, a medium that mediates and transforms perception. Trough a multidisciplinary lens, the essays investigate the cultural, narrative, and technological dimensions of filters, highlighting their ambivalence as tools that both connect and separate, enchant and obscure. From their etymological roots to their modern applications, filters are shown to operate at the intersection of semiotic mechanisms and technological devices, playing a vital role in shaping cultural imaginaries, media spaces, and social structures. The volume also examines how the ideology of fluidity in today’s hyperconnected world paradoxically underscores the enduring necessity of filters. Far from being obsolete, filters continue to mediate relationships, refine communication, and act as critical lenses through which to engage with reality—revealing their ability to both sustain and disrupt the enchantments of our time.