This discourse discusses how it is that, humanly speaking, a man comes to believe the revealed word of God, and why one man believes and another does not. And, in describing the state of mind and of thought which leads to faith, it does not deny that faith is a supernatural work, and the fruit of divine grace. However, it is good to recall that we have a part to play in this process, one of cooperation.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Freedom, Society, Universitas

En una sociedad plural, comunicar exige conjugar adecuadamente verdad y libertad, lo personal y lo político, la fe y la política. Esta conferencia del prof.Rodríguez Luño intenta arrojar un poco de luz sobre algunos puntos que son cruciales para armonizar los distintos elementos en juego; para vivir, en definitiva, la fe en las calles de una sociedad plural.

Español Papers |+|
Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Freedom, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society

El saber más o menos objetivo lleva varios lustros en frenética expansión. Al igual que sucede en amplios sectores de la economía, que están desbordados por su propia actividad, padecemos una aguda crisis de excedentes. Hoy el problema de las naciones desarrolladas no es la carestía, sino el exceso. Y los excedentes en el espíritu tienen consecuencias más graves que en la industria; porque la inteligencia se colapsa cuando no puede “digerir” ordenadamente la masa de conocimientos que la aturden.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Youth, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

The development of social networks calls for commitment: people are engaged in building relationships and making friends, in looking for answers to their questions and being entertained, but also in finding intellectual stimulation and sharing knowledge and know-how. Social networks are thus nourished by aspirations rooted in the human heart.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, Citizens, Family, Youth, Leadership, Media, Society, Universitas

As the years that pass, the person who dedicates himself to cultivating an intellectual life discovers that the quintessence of the life of the spirit is attention. Here is where the intellect and the will have a chance to exercise themselves.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Leadership, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Since the desire of knowing can be disordered or immoderate, as the bodily desires of eating and drinking can also be unmeasured, the virtue of studiositas exercises restraint on the desire to know so that we not seek knowledge immoderately.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, Citizens, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

We live in a technological universe in which we think we are always communicating. And yet we have sacrificed conversation for mere connection. We can counterbalance this tendency by actively and practically making space for real face to face conversation.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, Ethics, Family, Media, Society

No generation has been more studied than the cohort sometimes also known as Generation Y: the young men and women who were born after 1979. This Generation has experienced the ideologies of the second half of the past century put into legislation -and is not happy with them.

English Papers |+|
A Christian culture, Youth, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

You can never make a good impression on other people, until you stop thinking about what sort of an impression you’re making. Even in literature and art: no one who bothers about originality can ever be original. Whereas if you simply try to tell the truth, without caring two pence how often it’s been told before, you will nine times out of ten become original, without ever having noticed it. This principle runs through all of life from top to bottom: give up yourself and you’ll find your real self. Lose your self and you’ll save it.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Cinema, Citizens, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Literature, Society, Universitas

Be aware of the hidden dangers they contain, especially the risk of addiction, of confusing the real world with the virtual, and of replacing direct and personal encounters and dialogue with internet contacts.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Youth

We have a radical need of others, not only to love or to be loved by them, but to learn from them. We are put to a particular test by values —accepting or rejecting them— when we meet them present in others, by whom they are both incarnated and personalized. "Incarnated" values: with the advantage of the concrete form this takes, and with the limitations that any particular human presentation of a value inevitably offers.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, Ethics, Society, Solidarity

Lo europeo se podría caracterizar como una fina combinación de tres elementos: refinamiento, trascendencia y amor a la libertad. El futuro de esta síntesis, amenazada por la caída de la natalidad y por la secularización, depende de que se decida a ser de nuevo ella misma.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Literature, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity, Universitas

The contemporary self wants to be recognized, connected: it wants to be visible. This is how we become real to ourselves by being seen by others. The goal now, it seems, is simply to become known, to turn oneself into a sort of miniature celebrity. How many friends do I have on Facebook? How many people are reading my blog? However, what is disappearing from our lives is solitude.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Literature, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity

Nada hace entender mejor lo que en cada momento es un hombre o una mujer que el mapa de sus ilusiones, con su verdadero relieve, con su intensidad, su carácter epidérmico o visceral, con la acumulación sobre cada una de ellas de más o menos dimensiones de esa biografía.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society

When word and silence become mutually exclusive, communication breaks down, either because it gives rise to confusion or because, on the contrary, it creates an atmosphere of coldness; when they complement one another, however, communication acquires value and meaning.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Family, Youth, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society

El “humanista” que se queja de la ausencia de humanismo en la política, la comunicación, o el mundo económico y “social”, muestra no serlo, pues si conociese bien al ser humano no se quejaría; y el “humanista” que no se ocupa de esos “mundos prácticos” de la política, la comunicación, la economía, la “técnica”, porque los menosprecia desde su presunta altura superior teórica, o porque tiene complejo ante ellos, muestra igualmente que no es un humanista, pues no es capaz de integrar aspectos tan humanos en su saber.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Science, Ethics, Horizons, Freedom, Literature, Media, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

As with all technological innovations, Facebook presents us with something like a double-edged sword. While it permits us to maintain friendships that otherwise would unfortunately wither away, its propensity to create and maintain such abundant friendships threatens to choke those friends that matter the most.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity

Ciertamente, los mensajes tienen que ser actuales y relevantes, y los medios tienen que ser los adecuados a cada momento. Pero comunicar es más que eso. Comunicar es dirigir y por tanto, aportar visión y esperanza, lograr que las personas se comprometan y den su vida, en este caso lograr que la fe vuelva a vivirse y Dios esté presente. En este sentido, se puede decir que los problemas de comunicación de la fe suelen ser también problemas de fe.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity

Si queremos hablar sobre la fe, es preciso tener en cuenta el ambiente en el que nos movemos. Tenemos que conocer el corazón del hombre de hoy —con sus dudas y perplejidades—, que es nuestro propio corazón, con sus dudas y perplejidades.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Technology is going to keep on advancing and we are going to see smaller and more productive gadgets than ever before. The challenge is to keep redefining the line that separates the real from the virtual, developing good habits.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Media, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Society

Often the formation of students ends up consisting of many small specialized fragments, scattered and without unity either for the person themselves or for the future exercise of their profession. The work of synthesis is not the aim of formation or education. Each one has to do it for themselves, independently of the academic community.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Science, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Literature, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Una tesis central de Benedicto XVI consiste en la afirmación según la cual la opción por el lógos, es decir, la opción por la razón, en su sentido más amplio y comprensivo, pertenece a la identidad nuclear del Cristianismo, tanto en su dimensión estrictamente teológica como también en su dimensión histórica.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Silence and stillness are not enough for us. They might be for a little while, as an immediate escape from the din and demands of daily life. But they are means to an end rather than ends in themselves. In his Letter for World Communications Day Pope Benedict XVI shows how silence is meant to serve relationships – with God and others.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Literature, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity

La crisis de fondo que atravesamos en este cambio de milenio proviene, sobre todo, de la falta de orientación existencial. Desorientación que probablemente tiene mucho que ver con el olvido de las humanidades, las cuales tratan de las cuestiones centrales de la vida

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Literature, Media, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Avevo studiato all’Università di Breslavia per quattro semestri, partecipando alla vita di questa Alma Mater come pochi studenti: anzi poteva sembrare che fossi talmente legata ad essa, da non potermene separare mai di mia propria volontà. Ma anche qui, come spesso in seguito nella mia vita, mostrai di sapermi liberare con un movimento leggero dai legami più stretti e volarmene via come un uccello sfuggito al laccio.

Italiano Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, Citizens, A Christian culture, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Una de las satisfacciones que solemos tener los profesores es la de comprobar cómo nuestros alumnos van aprendiendo a hablar sobre aquello mismo que les explicamos, y ver cómo se lanzan a hablar entre ellos mismos sobre las materias que van estudiando.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Media, Society

What would I have wanted to hear from my teachers on my first day of school, or what would I want them to tell me if I became a student again?There are so many things in this world that I don’t know and that you could teach me, with eyes shining, because only wonder knows.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Science, Citizens, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Un escaso dominio de la lengua es la consecuencia y, al mismo tiempo, la causa de un universo mental pobre; es decir, de una escasa humanización: «Hay muchos, muchísimos inválidos de habla —decía el poeta Pedro Salinas—, hay muchos cojos, mancos, tullidos de la expresión.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Science, Cinema, Citizens, Aesthetics, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Leadership, Media, Society, Universitas

We are mistaken when we compare war with "normal life". Life has never been normal. Even those periods which we think most tranquil, like the nineteenth century, turn out, on closer inspection, to be full of cries, alarms, difficulties, emergencies. Plausible reasons have never been lacking for putting off all merely cultural activities until some imminent danger has been averted or some crying injustice put right. But humanity long ago chose to neglect those plausible reasons.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Science, Citizens, A Christian culture, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Hay otros muchos aspectos desde los cuales explicar, de modo más inmediato, la necesidad del ecologismo y las patologías de la vida urbana. Voy a elegir dos. El primero es el silencio.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Media, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity, Universitas

El hombre tiene que aprender a ser dueño de sí mediante el vencimiento y la abnegación, y con ello a ser dueño de su propio poder. La libertad que da este dominio orientará aquella seriedad hacia las soluciones verdaderas, en tanto que hoy vemos cómo se emplea en ridiculeces una gravedad casi metafísica; hará que el mero valor se convierta en fortaleza y desenmascarará los pseudoheroísmos, en virtud de los cuales se deja inmolar el hombre, fascinado por pseudoabsolutos.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity

En un mundo donde el saber tiene un carácter marcadamente objetivo y despersonalizado, donde las imágenes jubilan con frecuencia al pensamiento, es completamente necesario afirmar que para convencer hay que decir lo que se tiene como propio. Sólo lo auténtico es verdad en sentido genuino: sólo lo que inspira mi libertad y nace de lo hondo de mí es verdadero y cierto.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Science, Citizens, A Christian culture, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

One of the paradoxes of digital communication is the tension between isolation and the thirst for contact with friends and colleagues. On the one hand, some seem to take refuge in virtual relations to replace direct conversations, because they lack empathy and social competence. On the other, the number of “friends” increases and the relationship to persons closer to us intensifies.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Media, Society

When people believe that willpower is fixed and limited, their willpower is easily depleted. But when people believe that willpower is self-renewing — that when you work hard, you’re energized to work more; that when you’ve resisted one temptation, you can better resist the next one — then people successfully exert more willpower. It turns out that willpower is in your head.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Asking the foundational questions, Society

The new technologies are not only changing the way we communicate, but communication itself, so much so that it could be said that we are living through a period of vast cultural.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, Citizens, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society

Con el paso de los años quien se dedica a cultivar una forma de vida intelectual descubre que la quintaesencia de la vida del espíritu es la atención, porque en ella es donde se articulan voluntad e inteligencia.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, Citizens, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Literature, Media, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

The discovery of new intellectual tools has brought to the fore a problem that has accompanied mankind for centuries. As we use them to gain in knowledge, we run the risk of losing depth and a capacity for reflection. A problem as old as Plato.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Leadership, Literature, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

When the time comes to defend or speak about the Church in the media, it is crucial to know the key ideas, such as: that your words be understood; keep your calm; listen attentively to the other’s opinion and try to understand; be positive... In any case, it is important not to seek to defeat those that oppose our opinions, but rather act civilly, with empathy and clarity. After all, it is more important to give testimony than to win.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Ethics, Youth, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

Disagreements between art lovers — much less philosophers — don't prevent us from claiming that artistic beauty is a great gift, not only in our human life but in our religious life as well. Indeed, it's a faint reflection of the Eternal Beauty.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Youth, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

You are the custodians of beauty: thanks to your talent, you have the opportunity to speak to the heart of humanity, to touch individual and collective sensibilities, to call forth dreams and hopes, to broaden the horizons of knowledge and of human engagement.

English Papers |+|
Arts, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Horizons, Literature, Music, Asking the foundational questions

Un estudio de la hermosura debe dar cuenta de las variadas formas de aparición de lo bello. Además si ese estudio pretende ser coherente, no debe detenerse en los aspectos descriptivos, sino procurar dar el salto hasta sus raíces: para que un estudio sobre la belleza cumpla su objetivo debe llegar hasta los fundamentos que la belleza tiene en los elementos constitutivos de la realidad.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Science, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Art does have an influence on us, for good or for ill; art is not amoral; there are artworks that awaken, as it were, our conscience, or harden it. Art can help us to deepen our knowledge of reality and of ourselves, and therefore art does have a relationship to truth.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Youth, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Enviamos el primer capítulo del libro “El poder de la belleza”, de la profesora Magdalena Bosch, recientemente publicado en la colección “Persona & Cultura” de la editorial Eunsa. Precisamente este pequeño libro se ha publicado con vistas a poder ayudar y contribuir al próximo Congreso Universitario UNIV 2012.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Youth, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

More than thirty years ago, when the world was still divided in two, Alexander Solzhenitsyn delivered a commencement address at Harvard University in which he noted some of the weaknesses and defects of the West. Despite the years which have passed, they continue to be relevant today and invite one to reflect about the degree to which the situation has changed and the challenges which still remain.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity, Universitas

Escribir, leer, volver a leer y volver a escribir: son los recursos del pensar. Escribir es poner en limpio lo pensado, leer es comprender lo pensado por otro. Ese es el telar en el que se teje nuestra vida intelectual.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Cinema, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Leadership, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

The world requires – today more than ever – enlightened, thoughtful politicians who are bold and broad-minded enough to consider things that lie beyond the scope of their immediate influence in both space and time.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Nel creare bellezza l'artista rende gloria alla creazione di Dio. E la bellezza redime ciò che tocca, mostrando come i dolori e le traversie della vita umana siano, tutto sommato, non indegni.

Italiano Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Cinema, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Literature, Media, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Society

Lo que hace falta actualmente para que un país progrese y se sitúe en el grupo de cabeza, es que haya talentos emergentes, muchos jóvenes que piensen por cuenta propia y que estén preparados para lanzarse a innovar tanto en la teoría como en la práctica. Y, desde luego, el camino que hoy día se les traza —y de hecho se les obliga a seguir— no conduce a estos objetivos.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Youth, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

The history of this multiplication of disciplines is, of course, also a history of increasing specialization by scholars, and of the transformation of university or college teachers into professionalized, narrowly focused researchers who also happen to teach, specialists whose professional success and standing depend in large part on the degree of their identification with some particular subdiscipline or subsubdiscipline.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, A Christian culture, Ethics, Youth, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Para atreverse a pensar, a hacerse realmente cargo de los argumentos del contrincante en lugar de desestimarlos, hace falta no sólo rigor intelectual, sino quizás ante todo coraje, la valentía de seguir la verdad a donde nos lleve, reconociendo que eso muchas veces puede significar dejarnos convencer por otros.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Literature, Media, Society, Universitas

The unliterary reader never intends to give the words more than the bare minimum of attention necessary for extracting the Event. Most of the things which good writing gives or bad writing fails to give are things he does not want and has no use for.

English Papers |+|
Arts, Science, Aesthetics, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Literature, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

I classici sono quei libri dì cui si sente dire di solito: “Sto rileggendo” e mai “Sto leggendo”. É un libro che non ha mai finito di dire quel che ha da dire. Non si leggono i classici per dovere o per rispetto, ma solo per amore.

Italiano Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Aesthetics, Horizons, Youth, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Passing on the faith is a very long-standing issue, one that has been present throughout the two-thousand-year history of the Christian community. The Church has always seen herself as a messenger, entrusted with news that has been revealed to her and is worth passing on.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity, Universitas

El buen espectador se deja implicar por la trama y se identifica con las vivencias de los personajes. Por así decir, se deja llevar, abandonándose a la historia. Pero ese abandono nunca debe ser total, hasta el punto de que lo lleve a prescindir de su propia identidad.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Cinema, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Family, Youth, Freedom, Media, Society

Reading a book is essentially an effort on your part to ask it questions and to answer them to the best of your ability. That should never be forgotten. And that is why there is all the difference in the world between the demanding and the undemanding reader. The latter asks no questions—and gets no answers.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Leadership, Literature, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

This article will appear in Joseph Pearce's forthcoming book entitled Beauteous Truth: Faith, Reason, Literature and Culture.

Deconstructed man is also disintegrated man. He fails to see the integration of goodness, truth and beauty, and thereby condemns himself to a segregated cosmos in which sin is good, ugliness is beautiful, and truth is a lie. This is the fragmentation that leads to madness. It is literally the explosion of truth into disintegrating pieces.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Youth, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

A pesar de esta realidad, el fracaso y el éxito tienen una inmensa fuerza de transformación de las personas. Y tienen esa fuerza sencillamente porque marcan la diferencia, siempre dolorosa, entre lo que nos gustaría ser y lo que realmente somos, entre aquello que aspiramos a lograr y lo que efectivamente logramos conseguir.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Ethics, Youth, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

The objective of Fides et ratio is not so much that of solving, once and for all, the very subtle conceptual problem of the relationship between faith and reason, but rather, that of summoning the intellectual and religious resources necessary in order to recover the universal meaning of truth and its deep impact on the life of each person.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Freedom, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Las formas no son todo, ni lo más importante. Pero no hay contenido alguno que se sostenga a sí mismo sin una forma que lo acompañe, lo proteja y lo recubra.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Youth, Freedom, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity

“What is capable of restoring enthusiasm and confidence, what can encourage the human spirit to rediscover its path, to raise its eyes to the horizon, to dream of a life worthy of its vocation—if not beauty?”

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Horizons, Freedom, Leadership, Literature, Media, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Society

Quien se abre a la dimensión del Absoluto y se deja provocar por el antiguo rumor sobre la existencia de un Dios creador, no tendrá miedo de que la ciencia espere encontrar la causa suficiente del origen de las formas vivientes. Donde encuentre bondad, belleza y santidad, descubrirá un mensaje en un código totalmente diverso.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Science, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

What is wrong with the world? What is wrong is that we do not ask what is right. Social science is by no means always content with the normal human soul; it has all sorts of fancy souls for sale. Man as a social idealist will say "I am tired of being a Puritan; I want to be a Pagan," or "Beyond this dark probation of Individualism I see the shining paradise of Collectivism." Now in bodily ills there is none of this difference about the ultimate ideal. No one says "I am tired of this headache; I want some toothache"…

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Science, Cinema, Citizens, Aesthetics, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Literature, Media, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity, Universitas

A pesar de tanto hablar de arte, son pocos los que tienen una relación auténtica con él. La mayor parte sienten algo bello, y a menudo conocen estilos y técnicas. Pero la auténtica conducta ante la obra de arte no tiene nada que ver con eso. Consiste en callar, en concentrarse, en penetrar, mirando con sensibilidad alerta y alma abierta. Entonces se abre el mundo de la obra.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Cinema, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Literature, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

If judged at the time of their deaths by the results of their efforts to advance the political causes that were important to them, both Cicero and Burke were failures. Yet, it is unlikely that they could immagine the enormous influence their philosophical writings would have in years to come.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity, Universitas

El gusto se puede educar, se puede afinar y puede crecer. Hay que desarrollar la capacidad de captar la belleza sin forzar el gusto. Nos tiene que gustar de verdad. Es necesario educar nuestros sentimientos, de manera que sintonicen con mayor facilidad con las cosas bellas.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Cinema, Aesthetics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Literature, Music

La indispensabilidad de las bellas artes, su necesidad vital para el hombre, consiste ante todo en que mediante ellas permanece no olvidada y en marcha la contemplación de la creación.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Cinema, Aesthetics, Literature, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

«After personally experiencing two WYDs, I can only say that Pope John Paul II was truly inspired when he created this important meeting of young people and of the world with the Lord». Interview of the Holy Father Benedict XVI with the journalists during the flight to Madrid, 18 August 2011.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity

Precisamente porque el mundo en el que vivimos resulta ser el mejor, sólo será factible mejorarlo con el ejercicio de la libertad personal, pero de una libertad educada, que se apoya en el fundamento de una educación y una preparación moral e intelectual, que facilita dar respuestas a los interrogantes que propone este inicio de milenio.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

La contemplación religiosa y la contemplación estética son de suyo distintas, pero pueden llegar a enlazarse de un modo íntimo.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Horizons, Freedom, Leadership, Asking the foundational questions, Society

It is in living and acting that man establishes his relationship with being, with the truth and with the good. The artist has a special relationship to beauty. It can be said that beauty is the vocation bestowed on him by the Creator in the gift of “artistic talent”.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Cinema, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Literature, Music, Society, Universitas

What does solitude have to do with leadership? A leader is someone who makes tough decisions. But in order to do so, he has to know how to think for himself and he has to know himself well. This requires the ability to engage in solitary reflection.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity, Universitas

Las grandes obras de arte se nos presentan rodeadas de misterio, pero esto no nos permite hablar de ellas con un lenguaje o un estilo esotérico. Lo que decimos debe ser inteligible, incluso si se traduce a otra lengua.

Español Papers |+|
Arts, Science, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Literature, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Society

“Quienes hemos tenido la fortuna de conocer personalmente a San Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, sabemos que el amor a la libertad constituye uno de los rasgos característicos de su temple humano. Era como un poderoso catalizador de libertad: la vivía e impulsaba a vivirla”.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

If conscience is rediscovered as the place in which to listen to truth and good, the place of responsibility before God and before fellow human beings – in other words, the bulwark against all forms of tyranny – then there is hope for the future.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

En este mundo donde todo pasa hay autores artistas que pasan 'menos' que el común de los mortales, ellos con sus obras. ¿Por qué el tiempo pasa suavemente acariciando su memoria, reduciendo su desgaste, su desaparición definitiva un poco más de lo habitual?

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Aesthetics, Literature, Asking the foundational questions

Freedom is said to be a key ingredient in artistic creation – yet as is frequently shown in today’s world, a large amount of freedom does not necessarily produce a large amount of excellent art.

English Papers |+|
Arts, Cinema, Aesthetics, Youth, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

Card. Joseph Ratzinger speaks about the right sense of beauty, that may become, together with the life of the saints, the true apology of Christian faith.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Aesthetics, Horizons, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society

Quien se dedica a los dinamismos de la razón y está en contacto con todo lo que se refiere a la formación de la opinión pública, no puede dejar de notar distancias colosales entre los mecanismos de formación de las opiniones y las estructuras del razonamiento que todo mundo acepta como fundamentales.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Freedom, Leadership, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

In January 1933, the Belgian mathematician and Catholic priest Georges Lemaitre traveled with Albert Einstein to California for a series of seminars. After the Belgian detailed his Big Bang theory, Einstein stood up applauded, and said, “This is the most beautiful and satisfactory explanation of creation to which I have ever listened.”

English Papers |+|
Science, Universitas

Dio e gli scienziati: due forze che si attraggono o si respingono? Non vi è dubbio che appena si rinuncia ai luoghi comuni e si cerca di approfondire qualcosa di più della storia, si scoprono fra gli scienziati molte personalità di grande spessore umanistico, filosofico e perfino religioso.

Italiano Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, A Christian culture, Leadership, Society, Universitas

Our society must recovery the sens of friendship. Besides the joy of its existence, friendship reveals itself as a key to evangelization, from the early times of Christianism. The exemple of saints let us know the two senses of this essential way of human relationship.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, Horizons, Leadership, Asking the foundational questions

La filosofía ha sido entendida desde antiguo como la más libre de las artes liberales. Quien filosofa no reconoce más restricciones que las que derivan de su compromiso serio con la búsqueda de la verdad.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Science, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Freedom, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Why did young people respond so well to John Paul II? Why did they find him so fascinating? What moved them to accompany him wherever he traveled? Pope Benedict XVI answers these questions and discusses the remarkable rapport that existed between John Paul the II and the youth.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society

In 1985, talking to UNIV Participants, John Paul II said: “It’s a great idea to have this annual international meeting of students from around the world and it’s good that you have the chance to get together in this way and to sing together. It’s a great joy. For me, it’s a great joy.”

English Papers |+|
Citizens, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity, Universitas

La laicidad del Estado se invoca con frecuencia de manera ambigua e impropia y, a veces, hasta para enmascarar actitudes o recursos poco respetuosos hacia la sensibilidad religiosa de los ciudadanos. Sin embargo, la laicidad constituye un valor positivo, que no debería generar desconfianza o sospecha. Lo mismo cabe decir del pluralismo político, consecuencia inmediata de la libertad, que el Estado reconoce a todos los ciudadanos y la Iglesia católica a sus fieles.

Español Papers |+|
Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society

In 1976 the man who would become John Paul II analyzed contemporary culture's tendency towards a general denial of God. In light of the Bible's account of original sin, Cardinal Wojtyla warned that the desire for absolute freedom can turn against comtemporary man even more drastically than at the beginning of human history.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Ethics, Freedom

Su quale bilancia si pesa la vita di un uomo? Nell'uomo l'agire e l'essere sono affidati alla libertà, e libertà significa che si può fare qualcosa di giusto, ma anche di sbagliato, che si può preservare qualcosa ma anche che qualcosa si può corrompere. Qual è dunque la bilancia, e quale l'ordine? Ecco la risposta di Romano Guardini.

Italiano Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Founder of logotherapy, psycologist Victor Frankl wrote the more than nine million sold Man’s Search for Meaning book. In an interview in the nineties, he give the sens of his method .

English Papers |+|
Science, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Society

Las llamadas de Juan Pablo II a recristianizar el mundo tienen que ver precisamente con aquello que le falta al mundo postmoderno: el sentido.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Horizons, Leadership

According to an ancient Pythagorian fable, one day Freedom said to the Law, "You bother me." The Law responded, "I look out for you." Thomas More was so convinced of the truth of this reply that he was willing to defend it even in the most trying of circumstances.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society

What is at the heart of reality? Is there an ordering intelligence behind it all or is there merely chance and chaos? Relativism and Christianity differ greatly in their respective answers to these questions. Nevertheless, their fundamental opposition does not concern theoretical matters so much as practical ones. Christianity's best response to relativism is the specifically Christian ethos.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society

Benedetto XVI in Caritas in veritate propone di “fare spazio al principio di gratuità” in economia. Propone il Papa un ritorno a un’economia del regalo?

Italiano Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Ethics, Freedom, Society

Christianity's current situation is not unlike that of the early Christians who, in the face of a reigning religious relativism, boldly claimed to profess the only true religion. Although new challenges have appeared over the course of 20 centuries, according to Joseph Ratzinger the problem essentially remains the same.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society

La situazione attuale del cristianesimo ricorda quella dei primi secoli, quando, di fronte al relativismo religioso imperante, pretendeva di essere la vera religione. Dopo 20 secoli sono apparse nuove sfide, ma il problema rimane in fondo lo stesso. Come indica Ratzinger, “solo apparentemente l’uomo si è rassegnato al verdetto di essere nato cieco di fronte all’unica realtà che conti davvero in ultima istanza nella nostra vita.”

Italiano Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society

Contemporary Relativism—the stance that there is no real truth outside of the realm of the physical sciences¬—is in many ways a descendant of 19th century Liberalism. Cardinal Newman was one of the first thinkers to see the potential lethality of Liberalism's effects on religion. A good part of his life was dedicated to showing that the act of faith implies reasonable assent even while it surpasses mere reason.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

The belief that artistic production is chiefly a matter of inspiration continues to be widespread. When the writer Stefan Zweig had the opportunity to contemplate Auguste Rodin working with the intensity of a valiant soldier in the heat of battle, he understood it right away. Luckily, Zweig did not fail to put this unique experience into words.

English Papers |+|
Arts, Aesthetics, Freedom, Literature

Influir en la opinión pública, o al menos ser capaces de presentar en ese ámbito propuestas positivas, no es una tarea fácil. Comunicar hoy exige cierta destreza en el manejo del lenguaje de los medios, conocer los interrogantes que se plantean a nuestro alrededor, encontrar puntos en común... y a la vez, hacer comprensible las propias posturas. No es una tarea fácil, pero es urgente.

Español Papers |+|
Citizens, A Christian culture, Media, Society

A large part of the present-day confusion about freedom is because we think of freedom as being free from external restrictions; and we forget that it is much more a matter of being free from internal restraints, from self-imposed or self-sought restrictions which hinder our development as true personalities.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Youth, Freedom

Gran parte de la actual confusión en cuanto a la libertad se debe al hecho de que pensamos que la libertad consiste en vernos libres de restricciones externas, olvidando que consiste mucho más en ser libres de limitaciones internas, de restricciones –que nos hemos impuesto o nos hemos buscado– que impiden el desarrollo de nuestra verdadera personalidad.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Youth, Freedom

El alto aprecio que se tiene hoy de la libertad, muchas veces va de la mano con una idea incompleta de la misma: ¿basta elegir para ser ya libres?, ¿o no irrumpir en las fronteras de la libertad de los otros? ¿Es un límite contra los demás o un puente hacia ellos? El autor muestra algunas razones que pueden enriquecer nuestra idea sobre la libertad.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Cinema, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Solidarity

El relativismo cultural sostiene que las diversas culturas son absolutamente incomparables. ¿Por qué se llegó a ese extremo? Y ¿qué tiene de verdad? Ciertamente, no siempre es fácil acceder a los modos de ver el mundo de otras culturas, pero que sea difícil no quiere decir que sea imposible. Gombrich ofrece una interesante reflexión, escrita en un momento en que el marxismo y el deconstructivismo parecían la última palabra en las ciencias del espíritu.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Youth, Freedom, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Solidarity

El relativismo cultural ha llevado a prescindir de la herencia más valiosa en cualquier actividad científica, del empeño por buscar la verdad.

Español Papers |+| 0
Asking the foundational questions

For Saint Josemaría, love for freedom necessarily implied loving "the pluralism that freedom brings with it." Pluralism is not synonymous with conflict and tension. "I have only one prescription: strive to live together in harmony and to understand and pardon each other. The fact that someone thinks differently from me (especially in matters which are open to personal opinion) in no way justifies an attitude of personal enmity, nor even of coldness or indifference. My Christian faith tells me to have charity for everyone, including those who do not have the grace of believing in Jesus Christ."

English Papers |+|
Citizens, A Christian culture, Freedom, Society

Prompted by the curiosity of Ulrich Von Hutten, Erasmus undertakes a character sketch of his friend Sir Thomas More. The results constitute the first biography of this great man. Renowned humanist, Lord Chancellor of England, father, friend, martyr, and recently appointed Patron of Statesmen and Politicians, More's brilliant figure continues to inspire many. He truly is "a man for all seasons."

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Family, Horizons, Youth, Leadership, Literature, Society

El trabajo del hombre dedicado al saber exige un esfuerzo constante y primoroso, un continuo ‘sí’ a la decisión de un día. Es un camino arduo, costoso, que se hace más llevadero cuando se cuenta con un Maestro.

Español Papers |+|
Science, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Literature, Music, Universitas

El mundo se ha psicologizado. En la actualidad, los psiquiatras hemos pasado de ser los doctores de los locos, de los nervios, de los que están mal de la cabeza, a ser los de la conducta, auténticos médicos de cabecera. En esa trayectoria se resume lo que ha ocurrido con la psiquiatría en los últimos 30 o 40 años en el mundo occidental.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Ethics, Youth, Freedom

In Chesterton’s brilliant expression, “Tradition is the democracy of the dead.” Four centuries earlier, on the verge of being condemned to death, Thomas More dramatically appealed to the same ‘democracy.’ And today, Benedict XVI refers to it once again in his battle against the ‘dictatorship of relativism’ and in his promotion of a broader conception of human reason as “open to the greatness of God.”

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

What do you want to get out of this academic year? To continue the same as before, or to set higher goals? Here are some suggestions that can help you maximize you next few months of school.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Science, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Freedom, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

For hatred is corrosive of a person's wisdom and conscience; the mentality of enmity can poison a nation's spirit, instigate brutal life and death struggles, destroy a society's tolerance and humanity, and block a nation's progress to freedom and democracy.

English Papers |+|
Citizens, Freedom, Society

Cambio, modernidad, progreso, innovación. La vida moderna avanza a grandes saltos.¿Hay lugar en ella para la tradición? ¿Tiene sentido algo así en el mundo de hoy? Alguien realista reconocería que no venimos de la nada. Más aún, que hemos heredado casi todo: desde la manera de caminar hasta las leyes y la lengua.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Youth, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity

Part of being young is desiring something beyond everyday life and a secure job, a yearning for something really truly greater. Is this simply an empty dream that fades away as we become older? No! Men and women were created for something great, for infinity.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity

“It is plain every great change is effected by the few, not by the many; by the resolute, undaunted, zealous few”.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

La vida de John Henry Newman arroja luces cada vez más potentes sobre la época que a nosotros nos toca vivir. Los dos siglos transcurridos desde su nacimiento agigantan la figura de quien ha sido uno de los pensadores católicos más influyentes en el mundo anglosajón. ¿De dónde esta influencia?, ¿por qué es aún actual? El repaso de su biografía y de algunos acontecimientos especialmente comprometidos de su aventura intelectual puede ayudar a responder estas preguntas.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Horizons, Freedom, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Here is the challenge of fashion today: to rediscover it as an art that expresses the true dignity and attractiveness of the person. This applies especially to women, who are the focus of fashion, and the only ones who can put their authentic stamp on it. Every woman shares responsibility for this project.

English Papers |+|
Arts, Aesthetics, Youth, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society

Es posible que la pasión actual por las redes sociales ceda paso a un cierto escepticismo; sin embargo, las reglas de la comunicación ya han cambiado. Aunque parezca que estamos ante algo más que una moda pasajera, algunos autores hablan ya de “la revolución de los medios sociales”.

Español Papers |+|
Science, Youth, Media, Society

The intense debate concerning the legal decision to remove the crucifix from Italian classrooms has garnered international attention. Does the public appearance of the crucifix undermine the religious liberty of non-christians? Does it seriously contradict the State's secularity? Weiler shows that there are a variety of ways to approach this problem and argues against the hasty formulation of a general rule. One must rather take into account the historical, religious, and cultural context of each individual country.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society

Con su periodicidad de cuatro años, el Campeonato Mundial de Fútbol demuestra ser un acontecimiento que cautiva a cientos de millones de personas. No hay casi ningún otro acontecimiento en la tierra que alcance una repercusión de vastedad semejante. Lo que demuestra que con ello está tocándose algo radicalmente humano, y cabe preguntarse dónde se encuentra el fundamento de este poder en juego.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Youth, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions

There is a certain ambiguity to the word ‘freedom’. Some people say that to be free is to be independent—but we humans are clearly dependent on so many things. Some others think that freedom is the power to do whatever one likes—but this rather superficial definition will not resist serious scrutiny. We could rightly say that to be free is to have fulfilled all the potentialities of our nature—but this is a future freedom. In the present, freedom has to do with our personal choices, and the extent of our freedom depends on the quality of those choices.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Asking the foundational questions

La libertad nos permite alcanzar formas de felicidad más altas que la simple huida del dolor o el triunfo a corto plazo. En esta carta, el autor se detiene particularmente en dos de esas formas, dos actividades del alma que ponen en marcha cualidades humanas radicales. Primero, la amistad, porque “ser hombre es ser amigo de los demás”; luego la esperanza, el modo humano de encarar libremente el futuro.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society

In this short essay, the author reflects on the problems and inconveniences which arise in everyday life.  Although we cannot avoid them, we are always free to transform our daily troubles into exciting opportunities.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Leadership, Literature

In these letters Rilke reveals his distinct way of thought and world view: from his understanding of the literary vocation and literary inspiration to his musings concerning the solitariness inherent to the task of artistic creation. This is the first of Rilke's ten letters.

English Papers |+|
Horizons, Youth, Literature, Asking the foundational questions

Una reflexión sobre la importancia de la lectura en la era de la comunicación audiovisual.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Horizons, Youth, Music

The answer to the questions of your life "is blowing in the wind". It is true! But not in the wind which blows everything away in empty whirls, but the wind which is the breath and voice of the Spirit, a voice that calls and says: "come!".

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Horizons, Youth, Music

With his usual clarity, Benedict XVI explains to young people why definitive and irreversible decisions are a true manifestation of human freedom necessary for the fulfillment of their thirst for happiness.  The Pope also warns of the hidden dangers in the idea that ‘permanent change’ is the fullest expression of human autonomy.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Society, Solidarity

Andrew Hegarty is an expert in the history of European Universities, especially the Universities of Oxford, Paris, and Salamanca, Dr. Andrew Hegarty has served as the warden of a hall of residence for students in London and as the director of Grandpont House in Oxford.

He currently directs the Thomas More Institute in London, a forum for critical reflection and discussion of public policy.

The Institute offers a platform for ethical engagement in issues of contemporary intellectual and social concern and seeks to make a positive impact on public  debate and decision-making. Its name is drawn from a figure who notably integrated private life, humanistic interests, professional work, public service, and spirituality (www.ThomasMoreInstitute.org.uk).

English Papers |+|
A Christian culture, Horizons, Youth, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

What is culture? What isn’t culture? As a word it is too lightly used and too often abused. As a living thing it is too often taken for granted and all too often not fully appreciated for what it is. It is, therefore, time that we looked at culture with a clarity of vision that is often absent. In short, it is time to define our terms.

English Papers |+|
Arts, A Christian culture, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society

Catholic beauty does not only blossom in the brilliance of the Catholic middle ages or in the magnificence of the Catholic Counter Reformation, it blooms also in the midst of the desert of modernity. One of the most exciting and powerful manifestations of such beauty arose in the Catholic Cultural Revival in England over the past two centuries. From its genesis in the rise of English Romanticism at the end of the eighteenth century to its crowning achievements in the middle of the twentieth century, the English Catholic Revival would produce some of the greatest artistic masterpieces of all time.

English Papers |+|
Arts, A Christian culture, Freedom, Literature, Society

Por ser libre, el hombre necesita sólidos puntos de referencia, que constituyen la “casa” en la que vive. Desde el siglo XVI esa “casa” ha sufrido numerosas remodelaciones que en muchos casos la han convertido en una fría barraca... y en otros ha contribuido a mejorarla notablemente. Este artículo repasa con lucidez y sintéticamente el pensamiento occidental desde el Renacimiento hasta nuestros días.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, A Christian culture, Freedom, Literature, Music, Asking the foundational questions, Society

The competition consists of TV documentaries and video-clips submitted by students (25 years and under) which are distributed via internet and deal with ethnic, religious, social, economic and cultural issues in Africa.
The deadline is 15 September 2010.

English Papers |+|
Citizens, Horizons, Youth, Media, Society, Solidarity

Our current democratic society is founded on the values of the person, liberty, the dignity and responsibility of the individual, common respect, and mutual aid.  Although the modern world has claimed these values as her own creation and as the product of pure reason, they have their true origin in Christian revelation.  What will happen when our culture, which affirms these Christian ideals, definitively separates itself from Christianity?

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Leadership, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society

The recognition of both the intrinsic order of the cosmos and of the complexity of its nature and of the problems that humankind is confronted with, leads to the conclusion that education should in its aim and content reflect that order and complexity.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, Science, A Christian culture, Universitas

Ser un directivo cristiano no sólo no es incompatible con ser un buen directivo, sino que puede ser la mejor expresión de lo que es un empresario. Esto no quiere decir que cualquier empresario o directivo que se diga cristiano es mejor directivo que los demás, sino que, de algún modo, todas las cualidades y potencialidades humanas, profesionales y técnicas del buen empresario quedan recogidas en lo que es un empresario cristiano.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, A Christian culture, Leadership

Al describir la lucha que caracteriza el panorama mundial actual, el Cardenal Ratzinger escribió que no se trata simplemente de una lucha entre la creencia y la incredulidad, o como diría San Agustín, una lucha entre el amor de sí y el amor de Dios, sino más bien de una confrontación dramática entre el amor y la incapacidad de amar.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Cinema, A Christian culture, Ethics, Literature, Media

El mundo se ha psicologizado. En la actualidad, los psiquiatras hemos pasado de ser los doctores de los locos, de los nervios, de los que están mal de la cabeza, a ser los de la conducta, auténticos médicos de cabecera. En esa trayectoria se resume lo que ha ocurrido con la psiquiatría en los últimos 30 o 40 años en el mundo occidental.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Ethics, Family, Youth, Freedom

Bis heute scheint dem Europäern das Säkulare das Vernünftige. Die hier entstandenen großen Ideologien des 19. Jahrhunderts –der Nationalismus, der Sozialismus und der Liberalismus– sollten neu am Maßstab der Wahrheit des Menschen gemessen werden. Für eine wahre Aufklärung wäre es höchste Zeit!

Deutsch Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Society

El cristianismo no es una doctrina jurídica; tampoco política. Sin embargo, la influencia del cristianismo en la configuración del derecho a lo largo de la historia es un hecho indiscutible, lo cual no quiere decir que la interrelación entre estos dos ámbitos se haya siempre realizado de una manera correcta.

Español Papers |+|
A Christian culture, Society

There are those who think one must be born to lead—that some have a knack for it and some do not, that leadership is largely a matter of temperament combined with experience. Not everyone can be a Roosevelt or a de Gaulle or a Churchill, they think. Nothing could be further from the truth. Leadership is not reserved for elite. It is the vocation not of the few but the many.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Ethics, Freedom, Leadership

“Sana laicidad”: ¿qué puede significar ese término? Para Benedicto XVI significa que, si bien la Iglesia no es un sujeto político, tampoco es una voz meramente privada, sin relevancia pública. La laicidad —de la que tanto se habla hoy— pertenece a la entraña del Evangelio, y respeta tanto la libertad personal de cada hombre, como la relevancia social y política de las tradiciones religiosas.

Español Papers |+|
Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Freedom, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society

Con la concisión y la riqueza propias de la poesía, estos poemas reviven el encuentro que tuvo lugar entre filosofía y cristianismo en los primeros siglos de nuestra era, con todo lo que eso significó para el pensamiento posterior; con todo lo que eso significó para la religión cristiana.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Freedom, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society

An overview of the reasons why academic enquiry concerning man—especially in the University—continues to be one of the most important educational issues.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society

La identidad cristiana no sólo es compatible con la labor del científico, sino que contribuye vigorosamente a forjar un perfil investigador de mayor hondura, solidez y motivación, capaz de afrontar con éxito los desafíos de la ciencia del siglo XXI.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, A Christian culture, Youth, Leadership, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Looking back to 1945 it is odd to discover the public reaction to the allies’ victory was principally marked by humility. This strikes us as odd because something has changed.

English Papers |+|
Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Asking the foundational questions, Society

Two periods of transition in popular attitudes toward voluntary death can be identified. In this article, the author points out some of the historical factors which surrounded —and to a certain degree caused— these shifts in attitude.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society

It is evident that this canon of the Enlightenment culture, less than definitive, contains important values which we, precisely as Christians, do not want and cannot renounce; however, it is also obvious that the ill-defined or undefined concept of freedom, which is at the base of this culture, inevitably entails contradictions; and it is obvious that precisely because of its use (a use that seems radical) it has implied limitations of freedom that a generation ago we could not even imagine.

English Papers |+|
A Christian culture, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

Contre la réduction positiviste du droit à un « ensemble de règles » à une fonction coercitive ou à une «technique» au service d'intérêts individuels ou partisans, Michel Villey propose de fonder le droit sur la notion de « juste », au sens de partage équitable des biens au sein d'un groupe.

Français Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

To say that music is the most Christian of the arts may seem a contentious statement. Yet what is often forgotten is that all the other art forms were highly developed before the Christian age. Music was the only exception.

Is it coincidence or luck? Or is there something unique about Christianity, or even about Catholicism, that allowed music finally to come of age in Europe?

English Papers |+|
Arts, A Christian culture, Music, Asking the foundational questions

Es necesaria una reflexión que saque a la luz en qué consiste ser cristiano. En esta línea se sitúa el artículo que aquí proponemos, centrado en la concepción —originalmente cristiana— del hombre como persona, esto es, como imagen de Dios.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Ethics, Family, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity

In modern times society has often been built upon the values of liberty and tolerance, dialogue, equality, and the search for peace.  Owing both to their intrinsic power as well as to a variety of other causes (historical, cultural, social, economic, etc.), these principles have engendered the universal appreciation of people from the most diverse countries, allowing them even to serve as the basis of a global culture.

In his discourse to the ‘La Sapienza’ University in Rome in 2008, Benedict XVI acknowledged that our understanding and recognition of human rights have increased thanks to the notable development of the sciences in the modern age.  He added that this is an achievement for which we should indeed be thankful.  Nevertheless, Pope Benedict also pointed out that this modern heritage is jeopardized if it forgets that its roots are grounded in the Christian faith: “if our culture seeks only to build itself on the basis of the circle of its own argumentation, on what convinces it at the time, and if – anxious to preserve its secularism – it detaches itself from its life-giving roots, then it will not become more reasonable or purer, but will fall apart and disintegrate.”

English Papers |+|
A Christian culture, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

Christianity has much to offer on the practical and ethical level, for the Gospel never ceases to inspire men and women to place themselves at the service of their brothers and sisters. Few would dispute this. Yet those who fix their gaze upon Jesus of Nazareth with eyes of faith know that God offers a deeper reality which is nonetheless inseparable from the “economy” of charity at work in this world: He offers salvation.

English Papers |+|
Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Asking the foundational questions, Society

Somos libres para pensar por cuenta propia. Pero, ¿tenemos el valor de hacerlo de verdad? ¿O estamos más bien acostumbrados a repetir lo que dicen los periódicos y revistas, la televisión, la radio, lo que leemos en internet o lo aseverado por alguna persona, más o menos interesante, con la que nos cruzamos por la calle? ¿Estamos dispuestos, en definitiva, a ser o llegar a ser “filósofos”, a entusiasmarnos con la realidad y buscar el sentido último de nuestra vida?

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Horizons, Youth, Leadership, Asking the foundational questions

La conoscenza funzionale, pur essendo coerente con l’aspirazione umana al sapere, non solo non coincide con essa ma è anche più ristretta rispetto ad essa. Se si vuole farla corrispondere a quello che siamo, occorre integrarla e tra­scenderla – senza beninteso negarla – in vista di una dimensione che non parla il linguaggio dell’“utile” ma quello dell’“essenziale”. Penso che a questo corrisponda la ragione sapienziale il cui riconoscimento non è banale ma richiede attenzione; il suo misconoscimento –peral­tro– non passa inosservato, e di questo siamo tutti testimoni.

Italiano Papers |+|
Anthropology, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

If I were to be asked what of my presidency I would want to continue: it is these intangibles more than any policy I think, at the moment, is correct for the country. Circumstances change and international trends can shift direction; new approaches may serve the country’s interests better than those I laid down. But what doesn’t change are the elements that go to make up good decisions and right policies: sincerity, integrity, solidarity, universality, and of course – in recognition of the historic verity that man proposes and God disposes – prayer.

English Papers |+|
Citizens, Horizons, Freedom, Leadership, Society

Getting a group of youngsters to commit to an activity is a real challenge. Anyone who runs an educational establishment for teens can attest to this. Little staying power and lack of commitment to a cause is symptomatic of a generation that relies on instant gratification as the basis for decision-making. But the deeper reason why young people hesitate to make long-term commitments is their ignorance of what true freedom is.

English Papers |+|
Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society

In Paolo s’incontrano Atene e Gerusalemme, permettendo di pensare l’universo e la storia come un tutto: e proprio da qui è sorto il concetto di Università. San Josemaría Escrivá ha ripreso questo pensiero, nei suoi insegnamenti sul valore della libertà e sulla necessità di una radicale apertura della ricerca a tutto campo.

Italiano Papers |+|
A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

I partecipanti all’UNIV 94, Anno internazionale della Famiglia, hanno deciso di inviare agli organismi internazionali e ai mezzi di informazione una dichiarazione riguardo a questo argomento.

Italiano Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Family, Asking the foundational questions

Benedict XVI has expressed his conviction that relativism has become the central problem confronting the Christian faith today. In spite of this, whoever attacks relativism should never give the impression that he is disposed to sacrifice freedom on the altar of truth. 

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Asking the foundational questions

These pleasures, veteran devil Screwtape warns, have brought this man to a possible conversion: “he who truly and disinterestedly enjoys anything whatsoever in the world, for itself, and without caring at all about what other people think, is by that very reason armed against some of our most subtle methods of attack.”

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Ethics, Youth, Leadership, Literature

Universidades católicas y universidades de inspiración católica comparten muchas tareas comunes, como también lo hacen, aunque en menor medida, con el resto de las universidades, porque, independientemente de su origen, titularidad e ideario, todas deben estar comprometidas con la búsqueda de la verdad. Ahora bien, puestos a señalar una de esas tareas que empeñan a todas las universidades en donde la fe juega un papel significativo, podríamos decir que se trata, en definitiva de “enseñar en cristiano”, pero ¿qué significa esto?

Español Papers |+|
Science, Citizens, A Christian culture, Universitas

La finalidad de la diversión es "pasarlo bien", cosa que no sólo es legítima, sino necesaria, puesto que a nadie le gusta pasarlo mal; tenemos derecho a disfrutar, a descansar, a gozar de las cosas buenas de la vida. Sin embargo, hay muchos modos de pasarlo bien, pero unos son mejores que otros. De lo que se trata es de entender cuál es la mejor manera de descansar, divertirse y gozar de las cosas buenas, partiendo, eso sí, de que el descanso y el ocio son una necesidad humana ineludible, puesto que quien no los ejerce pierde la salud en poco tiempo.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Ethics, Horizons, Freedom

“To learn six subjects without remembering how they were learnt does nothing to ease the approach to a seventh; to have learnt and remembered the art of learning makes the approach to every subject an open door.”

English Papers |+|
Citizens, A Christian culture, Youth, Literature, Society, Universitas

L'università è il luogo dell'interdisciplinarità e dell'unità del sapere; allora, cè posto anche per la Teologia nell’Università? E, d’altra parte, come dev’essere questa Teologia universitaria?

Italiano Papers |+|
Citizens, A Christian culture, Society, Universitas

No existe una política específicamente cristiana, deducida del Evangelio; en cambio sí existe un modo cristiano de comprometerse en la política y de apasionarse por ella.

Español Papers |+|
Citizens, Ethics, Youth, Society

God can be found in the cathedral or in the laboratory. The God of the Bible is also the God of the genome.

English Papers |+|
Science

La gente coincide al decir que lo que busca en la vida es una cosa que llama felicidad. Pero, ¿debemos aspirar a lo que no tenemos, a lo que tal vez no sea siquiera alcanzable?

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Family, Youth, Media, Society

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) holds a Malthusian view on demography: population growth harms economic development. Based on that assumption, the UNFPA directs funds to reduce the fertility of Third World women. However, there’s no strong evidence, neither empirical nor theoretical, that population controls would solve poverty and contribute to development. Moreover, some evidence suggest just the contrary.

English Papers |+|
Citizens, A Christian culture, Family, Asking the foundational questions, Society

El alegato a favor de “lo nuevo” parece privar definitivamente a los saberes humanísticos del poco prestigio que les queda en una sociedad dominada por la eficacia y rapidez de las nuevas tecnologías. Aparentemente, las humanidades nos apartan de la realidad inmediata. Pero lo que efectivamente nos facilitan es autotrascendernos.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

Presentiamo qui alcuni passi significativi degli interventi pronunciati durante i primi 25 Congressi UNIV. Questi testi rappresentano un ventaglio, amplio negli argomenti e in pari tempo sintetico, su ciò che significa essere un vero universitario.

Italiano Papers |+|
Horizons, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

The actual attitude of some of our Colleagues towards truth. A few reasons for scientists’ behaviour.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, Ethics

La reflexión libre sobre las "preguntas últimas", en diálogo con los que las han pensado desde antiguo, tiene siempre lugar, y una sociedad sólo es libre y estable en la medida en que posibilita ese discurso.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, Asking the foundational questions, Society

The challenge to build a world class university in a developing country has been both exciting and arduous. Resources have been scarce yet good will abundant.

English Papers |+|
Citizens, A Christian culture, Society, Universitas

The university must play a primary role in contributing to human progress. Since the problems facing mankind are multiple and complex (spiritual, cultural, social, financial etc.) university education must cover all these aspects.

English Papers |+|
A Christian culture, Horizons, Youth, Society, Universitas

The concept of friendship is one of the noblest achievements of human culture. It is in and through our friendships that we grow and develop as humans. For this reason, true friendship has always been seen as one of the greatest goods any human person can experience. We should be careful, therefore, never to trivialize the concept or the experience of friendship.

English Papers |+|
A Christian culture, Youth, Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society

“My dear young friends, I urge you to become familiar with the Bible, and to have it at hand so that it can be your compass, pointing out the road to follow. By reading it, you will learn to know Christ (…)The secret of acquiring «an understanding heart» is to train your heart to listen. This is obtained by persistently meditating on the word of God and by remaining firmly rooted in it through the commitment to persevere in getting to know it better” (Benedict XVI, Message on the 21st World Youth Day, Rome 2006).

English Papers |+|
A Christian culture

Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home. It is true in a sense that Christmas is the time at which the doors should be open. But I would have the doors shut at Christmas, or at least just before Christmas; and then the world shall see what we can do.

English Papers |+|
A Christian culture, Literature, Society

Nel discorso per l'Inaugurazione dell'anno accademico 2008-2009 della Pontificia Università della Santa Croce, Mons. Javier Echevarría ricorda che l'istituzione universitaria «ha sempre mantenuto un atteggiamento caratteristico: la apertura alle domande essenziali su Dio, sull'uomo e sul mondo, e la ricerca della verità in una prospettiva multidisciplinare».

Italiano Papers |+|
Horizons, Youth, Society, Universitas

San Josemaría Escrivá tenía un profundo amor a la Universidad. Su mensaje espiritual y sus opiniones personales pueden aportar mucho a la institución universitaria.

Español Papers |+|
A Christian culture, Youth, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

The encounter with the beautiful can become the wound of the arrow that strikes the heart and in this way opens our eyes, so that later, from this experience, we take the criteria for judgement and can correctly evaluate the arguments.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Arts, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Youth, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

L’aforisma è un genere impegnativo. Un aforisma è difficile da trovare e difficile da lavorare, da intagliare fino al raggiungimento della forma perfetta. Come un diamante. Solo che un aforisma banale dà sempre nell’occhio, e invece un diamante falso può passare per vero.

Italiano Papers |+|
A Christian culture, Literature

It is too easy to get distracted by the demands of life and to forget to take the time to be aware of our own thinking.

English Papers |+|
Leadership

Se tiende a considerar que la literatura y el cine son medios muy dispares, pero en la vida real ambos fenómenos están estrictamente relacionados en numerosos aspectos.

Español Papers |+|
Cinema, Literature

The theme of your meeting – "A New Humanism for Europe. The Role of the Universities" – invites a disciplined assessment of contemporary culture on the continent.

English Papers |+|
A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

Today's media vastly increase the outreach of social communication—its quantity, its speed; they do not make the reaching out of mind to mind and heart to heart any less fragile, less sensitive, less prone to fail.

English Papers |+|
A Christian culture, Ethics, Media

The following is the Address that the Holy Father intended to give during a Visit to La Sapienza University in Rome on Thursday, 17 January.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

Perhaps Bach, transcending cultural barriers, has converted more Japanese than any of us dares to imagine.

English Papers |+|
Arts, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Music

“I have always tried to hide my own efforts and wished my works to have the lightness and joyousness of a springtime which never lets anyone suspect the labors that it has cost. So I am afraid that the young, seeing in my work only the apparent facility and negligence in the drawing, will use this as an excuse for dispensing with certain efforts which I believe necessary.”

English Papers |+|
Arts, Aesthetics, Youth

Molti pensatori dedicano un'esplicita riflessione a temi educativi e alla vita universitaria. Si propone qui un breve commento delle suggestive posizioni di Newman e di Jaspers, per finire con alcuni spunti sull’interessante luogo che occupa l’Università nei discorsi di Giovanni Paolo II.

Italiano Papers |+|
Citizens, A Christian culture, Society, Universitas

Our modern day society is focused on goals rather than means. Unfortunately, the journey towards the goal comprises much more time than the moment of the actual attainment of that goal.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

¿Por qué con frecuencia los cristianos, y sobre todo los jóvenes, se desinteresan de la política? ¿No equivale eso a desertar de una tarea clave para la sociedad? Es lo que se planteaba el secretario de la Congregación para la Educación Católica durante un seminario internacional sobre el tema “La política, forma exigente de la caridad�?.

Español Papers |+|
Citizens, A Christian culture, Horizons, Youth, Leadership, Asking the foundational questions, Society

En Sydney el Papa ha dicho a los jóvenes que para seguir a Cristo no hace falta ser personas extraordinarias ni perfectas, sólo se requiere estar abiertos al amor.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Horizons, Youth, Leadership, Society

En su reciente visita a Cerdeña, Benedicto XVI ha vuelto a insistir en lo que llama la “emergencia educativa�?; es decir, la necesidad urgente e ineludible de la educación. ¿Cómo educar hoy? El Papa señala algunos requisitos fundamentales.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Youth, Freedom, Leadership, Universitas

The word ‘multitasking’ began appearing in the “skills�? sections of résumés, as office workers restyled themselves as high-tech, high-performing team players. However, recent studies show that we’re really built to focus. And when we sort of force ourselves to multitask, we’re driving ourselves to be less efficient in the long run.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, Youth, Media, Universitas

El alegato a favor de “lo nuevo�? parece privar definitivamente a los saberes humanísticos del poco prestigio que les queda en una sociedad dominada por la eficacia y rapidez de las nuevas tecnologías. Aparentemente, las humanidades nos apartan de la realidad inmediata. Pero lo que efectivamente nos facilitan es autotrascendernos.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

La Universidad actual se encuentra en el filo de la navaja. Su posición es más notoria y brillante que nunca, porque estamos cruzando el dintel de la sociedad del conocimiento. Mas, de otra parte, las propias instituciones académicas están sufriendo un proceso de vaciamiento interno, ya que en ellas decaen los ideales que las vienen alentando desde hace ocho siglos. De ahí que sea imprescindible y urgente repensar la Universidad.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Youth, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Universitas

En septiembre de 2005 un importante político español regalaba a los medios de comunicación un buen titular trastocando cierta conocida expresión evangélica. «La verdad os hará libres» ahora se convertía en «la libertad os hará verdaderos». El orden de los factores altera el producto, y las dos frases se enfrentan como la noche al día. Lo que podría ser una ocurrencia quizás feliz, quizás de mal gusto, en realidad resume con magistral brevedad la idea de fondo que caracteriza en buena medida al actual régimen democrático.

Español Papers |+|
Citizens, Ethics, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society

No sé muy bien por qué motivos, pero la gente coincide al decir que lo que busca en la vida es una cosa que llama felicidad. Pero, ¿debemos aspirar a lo que no tenemos, a lo que tal vez no sea siquiera alcanzable? Nuestra mentalidad post-moderna prefiere abogar por un dolce far niente, por la poltronería de sillón, por la aventura virtual en la pantalla televisiva de plasma. No nos gusta la palabra héroe: suena, en nuestros democráticos oídos, a película non stop action protagonizada por Rambo.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society

La búsqueda de la verdad no es una tarea privada o que pueda ser llevada a cabo por una persona aislada, sino que requiere la actividad cooperativa de unos y otros.

Español Papers |+|
A Christian culture, Ethics, Freedom, Society, Universitas

Skoll wants to change the world right now and believes film can help to do that. In less than three years he has made, among others, these films: Syriana; Good Night and Good Luck; Murderball; North Country; Fast Food Nation and An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore’s documentary about global warming.

English Papers |+|
Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Leadership

The Internet can make an enormously valuable contribution to human life. It can foster prosperity and peace, intellectual and aesthetic growth, mutual understanding among peoples and nations on a global scale.

English Papers |+|
Media

When a fellow student at Rutgers University urged Didi Onejeme to try Philosophy 101 two years ago, Ms. Onejeme, who was a pre-med sophomore, dismissed it as “frou-frou�?.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Universitas

Non sono oggi pochi coloro che si rendono conto di come il problema fondamentale dell'università, quello che determina, come una parola ormai inflazionata, la sua crisi, non sia essenzialmente un problema tecnico.

Italiano Papers |+|
Universitas

La Universidad no es una excepción al empeño de una Europa unida. Desde hace años está en marcha el llamado Proceso de Bolonia, con el objetivo de que los países europeos unifiquen sus sistemas universitarios.

Español Papers |+|
Horizons, Youth, Freedom, Universitas

Entrevista al Prelado del Opus Dei, Gran Canciller de la Universidad de Navarra.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Freedom, Solidarity, Universitas

La familia es uno de los instrumentos naturales queridos por Dios para que los hombres cooperen en la Creación.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Family, Society

La solidarité est le mouvement qui accompagne la perception de l'autre que soi. Elle est caractéristique de la personne et manifeste son indispensable rapport à l'autre, parce qu'elle est déjà présente, d'une certaine manière, dans le rapport fondamental à soi.

Français Papers |+|
Horizons, Asking the foundational questions, Solidarity

At the end of the second millennium, Christianity finds itself in profound crisis in the very place of its original dissemination, in Europe. It is a crisis caused by doubt of its claim to the truth.

English Papers |+|
Asking the foundational questions

If scientists abandon metaphysical and spiritual reflection, they will cut themselves off from society

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Science, Asking the foundational questions

Science as Utilitarian versus Science as an End in Itself; The Basic Assumptions of Science; Science Needs Direction; Science as the Presupposition of Truthfulness; Science and Philosophy.

English Papers |+|
Anthropology, Cinema, Universitas

At the beginning of human history science and culture were inseparable. They were animated by the same questions, those about the meaning of the universe and the meaning of life.

English Papers |+|
Science

We shall be brought, Gentlemen, today, to the termination of the investigation which I commenced three Discourses back, and which, I was well aware, from its length, if for no other reason, would make demands upon the patience even of indulgent hearers.

English Papers |+|
Asking the foundational questions

One of the great surprises men encounter when they retire is how quickly their life’s work is undone behind them, as if they had never existed, had never done what they did. A Polish proverb says, “We pass through life like a knife through water, leaving scarcely a ripple behind us, and then nothing.�?

English Papers |+|
Family, Horizons, Society

Discurso de Graduación del Curso Académico en la Univerdad de Stanford el 12 de Junio de 2005. Steve Jobs. CEO de Apple y Pixar Animation.

English Papers |+|
Family, Horizons, Leadership

In terms of media, it is a tough time to be a parent. This only means that being a good parent today will involve monitoring more influences than in your grandmother's family.

English Papers |+|
Family, Media

In his fine poem "Days," Philip Larkin begins by posing a simple question, and, tellingly, rather than responding directly to it, he adds another query and concludes the poem not with an answer but with a wry observation.

English Papers |+|
Horizons, Society

American business professionals are uninspired. Only 10% of employees look forward to going to work and most point to a lack of leadership as the reason why, according to a recent Maritz Research poll. But it doesn't have to be that way. All business leaders have the power to inspire, motivate, and positively influence the people in their professional lives.

English Papers |+|
Leadership, Society

We offer here some issues about university life that can be explored through discussion.

English Papers |+|
Horizons, Leadership, Universitas

La formación va más allá de la facultad universitaria, del aula de bachillerato o del ciclo formativo. Va más allá del éxito inmediato. Por eso mismo, la tarea del educador trasciende -y mucho- las paredes del aula.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, A Christian culture, Ethics, Horizons, Youth, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

El hombre vive en sociedad y no por casualidad sino por necesidad. Es por tanto responsabilidad de todos cuidar el ambiente social en el que nos movemos para que favorezca el perfeccionamiento humano: el crecimiento en las virtudes.

Español Papers |+|
Anthropology, Citizens, Ethics, Youth, Asking the foundational questions, Society, Solidarity

They see work as service to others. They labor toward the betterment of other people, directly or indirectly: clients, customers, employers, colleagues. Thus they’re both task-oriented and people-oriented.

English Papers |+|
Citizens

An interview to Paul Swope, director of the Caring Foundation and president of LifeNet Services, during the recent University Faculty for Life conference in Toronto.

English Papers |+|
Citizens

Nous ne prétendons pas faire ici, comme le titre de ce travail pourrait le faire penser, une étude philosophique ou théologique de la pensée du bienheureux Josemaría. Nous allons seulement tenter une première analyse de ses références historiques, de sa façon de concevoir l’individu et la société ainsi que des formes d’action temporelle des chréiens que cela comporte.

Français Papers |+|
Citizens, Society

¿Cómo reaccionaron los primeros cristianos ante el mundo que les rodeaba? A veces, aparece la tentación de atribuir la expansión del Evangelio a prodigios y milagros. Sin embargo, la fe fue el prodigio que arrastró a hombres de toda clase, condición y cultura. La fe, y el amor hacia Cristo.

Español Papers |+|
Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Society, Solidarity

Last week, a lady named Sal who uses the social-networking website called Facebook showed a group of older professors (including yours truly) how the system works, what her own site looks like, and answered questions about it.

English Papers |+|
Citizens, Media, Society

To speak of personal identity and cinematic worlds means to speak of “reference�? in fiction and of the reception and personal appropriation –not only intellectual –of that fiction. This study deals with the personal “refiguration�? of fictions according to the hermeneutics of Paul Ricoeur, making reference to three films that depict dystopian worlds: Blade Runner, Brazil, and The Truman Show.

English Papers |+|
Cinema, Youth, Media

Entrevista a la directora de Act One, un programa destinado a jóvenes que quieren entran en la industria del espectáculo sin renunciar a su identidad cristiana; habla de ese proyecto, de algunas tendencias en el mundo del cine y de la presencia de los cristianos en Hollywood.

Español Papers |+|
Arts, Cinema, A Christian culture, Aesthetics, Ethics, Youth, Media, Society

G-rated films are 11 times as profitable as R-rated films, but Hollywood makes 12 times as many R-rated films. What's going on?

English Papers |+|
Cinema, Media

La cultura dell'uomo era agli inizi tutta quanta di natura religiosa. Solo assai tardi ha potuto elaborarsene una interamente mondana, isolata dalla grande sintesi. La concezione corrente della cultura e della sua storia vede in ciò senz'altro qualcosa di positivo.

Italiano Papers |+|
Freedom, Asking the foundational questions

La salud cultural de Europa requiere dos condiciones: que la cultura de cada país sea única y que las distintas culturas reconozcan la relación que hay entre ellas, de modo que cada una sea susceptible de recibir la influencia de las demás. Y esto es posible porque hay un elemento común en la cultura europea, una interrelación en la historia del pensamiento, los sentimientos y el comportamiento, un intercambio de arte e ideas.

Español Papers |+|
A Christian culture, Ethics, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Society

¿Qué interés pueden tener el Estado y la sociedad por la filosofía? ¿Qué interés puede tener que los fundamentos del orden social se conviertan en objetos de la reflexión crítica Precisamente, el estado moderno no deriva su legitimidad de la verdad de determinadas convicciones, sino de la corrección procedimental de sus mecanismos de decisión.

Español Papers |+|
A Christian culture, Horizons, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

I am a scientist and a believer, and I find no conflict between those world views. As the director of the Human Genome Project, I have led a consortium of scientists to read out the 3.1 billion letters of the human genome, our own DNA instruction book. As a believer, I see DNA, the information molecule of all living things, as God's language, and the elegance and complexity of our own bodies and the rest of nature as a reflection of God's plan.

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Science, Asking the foundational questions

Entrevista a John Haldane es filósofo, profesor en la Universidad de St. Andrew's (Escocia), donde dirige el Centro de Ética, Filosofía y Asuntos Públicos.

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Anthropology, A Christian culture, Ethics, Asking the foundational questions, Society

Desde hace unos veinte años, una gigantesca ola de canciones inunda nuestro planeta. Debemos alegrarnos de ello, pues una época que canta no puede ser tan mala como ciertas personas «serias», gruñonas y aguafiestas quisieran hacernos creer.

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Anthropology, Arts, A Christian culture, Ethics, Youth, Media, Music, Society

Los griegos atribuían un elevado valor moral a su música. Ella formaba el carácter.

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Anthropology, Arts, Citizens, Ethics, Youth, Music, Society

La deriva cultural de los últimos años ha colocado a George Steiner en una situación privilegiada. Por su prestigio como crítico literario, se ha ganado la atención de los medios culturales, que le han reconocido como "el último sabio" y el "humanista lúcido".

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Anthropology, Arts, A Christian culture, Ethics, Youth, Literature, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

Por utilizar una expresión del mexicano Octavio Paz, Premio Nobel de Literatura, podríamos decir que el clima en el que se mueve la institución universitaria en este comienzo de siglo es el propio de un “tiempo nublado�?. Las luces y las sombras se alternan en un panorama cultural donde, por una parte, el saber ha llegado a constituir la mercancía m´s preciada en la llamada sociedad del conocimiento y, por otra, casi nadie parece interesado en investigar la naturaleza íntima de las cosas y ganar verdades firmes acerca de lo real.

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Ethics, Leadership, Society, Universitas

The university of the golden age of benefaction was surely different – a haven for disinterested scholarship, the unworldly fingering over of classical texts and arcane philosophical questions, patient of eccentricity, the object of a benevolence that asked no questions about research output, access, competitive profile and industrial investment.

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Science, Leadership, Universitas

L'università, come soggetto storico e culturale, non è estranea ai rapporti fra cristianesimo e pensiero scientifico.

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Science, Universitas

Parte de la conferencia pronunciada en la Graduación de la X Promoción del Máster en Dirección de Empresas para ejecutivos, en la Universidad de Piura.

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A Christian culture, Ethics, Leadership

La vie et l’œuvre de John-Henry Newman ont fait l’objet de nombreux et importants travaux. Son tempérament et les circonstances historiques dans lesquelles il vécut expliquent son originalité et l’étendue de son influence. Il fut autant homme de pensée qu’homme d’action. L’auteur du Développement, de l’Assentiment, de l’Apologia révèlent l’historien, le philosophe, le théologien, le poète.

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Universitas

Porre il problema dell'unità del sapere in prospettiva educativa, può apparire anacronistico o utopico, soprattutto in un'epoca in cui la cultura è sempre più frammentaria.

Italiano Papers |+|
Universitas

Durante las primeras semanas del estreno del libro de Harry Potter y la Piedra Filosofal se corrieron rumores sobre la inconveniencia de esa lectura. Terry Teachout nos comenta con sentido común lo poco coherentes que resultan estos planteamientos.

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Arts, Aesthetics, Youth, Freedom, Literature, Media

Ser libres no es sólo un derecho: comporta una responsabilidad, que debe llevar a los cristianos a implicarse en las cuestiones de la sociedad, contribuyendo con soluciones plurales a los problemas de cada época.

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Anthropology, Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

El mundo necesita "testigos apasionados y coherentes de la verdad". En una época en la que el relativismo ha convencido a muchos de que es imposible conocer la verdad, la pasión por buscarla y transmitirla se ha convertido en una gustosa tarea para los cristianos.

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Citizens, A Christian culture, Ethics, Youth, Freedom, Asking the foundational questions, Universitas

There can be few words that conjure up as many conflicting ideas and emotions as "fashion". To some it is redolent of excitement and romance, to others it reeks of tyranny and exploitation.

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Citizens, Ethics, Youth

Marketers know that we are all innately drawn to beauty; so they use beautiful people and props to draw us toward their products. They know that beauty resonates so deeply with the human heart that it has inspired some of the greatest human creations, including the arts. And, yet, when we ask what is beauty, we generally find it difficult to give a succinct answer. It’s easier to say what it isn’t.

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Arts, Aesthetics, Ethics, Youth, Freedom, Media, Society

Last week, a lady named Sal who uses the social-networking website called Facebook showed a group of older professors (including yours truly) how the system works, what her own site looks like, and answered questions about it...

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Media, Asking the foundational questions, Society

The risks that have been associated with excessive use of these websites.

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Ethics, Youth, Media

Social networking site MySpace has unveiled a new statement on the "Key Principles of Social Networking Site Safety".

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Ethics, Media

In the last decennium one can observe an increasing interest for ethics in a number of fields, like business, medicine, publishing, science and engineering.

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Ethics, Media

This survey was conducted at the BT Young Scientist Exhibition in January 2007.

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Media, Society

La música es como las imágenes: tiene mayor poder de comunicación que las palabras. Hoy casi nadie es consciente del poder de la música sobre el espíritu humano. Los antiguos sí lo fueron. Los griegos, que tenían una música muy primitiva, se veían tan influidos por ella que atribuyeron su origen a los dioses, a las Musas (ahí está el origen de la palabra).

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Anthropology, Arts, Aesthetics, Ethics, Youth, Literature, Society

What is this philosopher's stone that can so dramatically change the world? It's music. Or better, Mozart's music, or so says Don Campbell in his best-selling The Mozart Effect: Tapping the Power of Music to Heal the Body, Strengthen the Mind, and Unlock the Creative Spirit (Avon Books, 1997).

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Arts, Music, Society

What does rap offer young people? Freedom from feelings.

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Arts, Music

A Conversation with Gary Burton.

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Arts, Music