Reflecting on the relevance of his ideas today

This past April, Francisco de Vitoria University held an academic conference titled “Julián Marías Today: The Relevance of Metaphysical Anthropology for Understanding Our Times.” This event was organized to mark the 20th anniversary of the Spanish philosopher’s death and aimed to reflect on the relevance of his thought in light of contemporary cultural and social challenges. The event brought together professors and researchers from UFV

guest speakers such as Dr. José Bernardo of Rey Juan Carlos University and Dr. Ángel Salmerón Rodríguez-Vergara of San Dámaso Ecclesiastical University, as well as two doctoral students from the university.

The event was opened by María Lacalle, Vice Rector for Faculty and Educational Programs at UFV, who highlighted the value of such spaces for reflection and dialogue within the university: “Philosophy must be accessible; it must allow us to delve into it.”

The work 'Metaphysical Anthropology' (1970), considered one of Julián Marías’s major intellectual contributions, served as the focal point for much of the discussion during the conference. In it, the philosopher develops a vision of the person as a bodily, biographical, and projective reality, open to encounter and the construction of meaning.

Jornada Marías_2 A humanistic perspective on understanding the contemporary world through the thought of Julián Marías Study at the Universidad Privada Madrid

Restoring a holistic view of the person

During the various presentations, participants agreed on the importance of placing the person back at the center of philosophical, cultural, and social analysis. Francesco de Nigris, a researcher and professor of philosophy at UFV, addressed the difference between “ancient reason” and “vital reason” or “open reason,” arguing that “vital reason is a narrative and inevitably historical reason,” capable of understanding the human being as an open reality in constant development.

For his part, Gabriel Rodríguez Rey, a pre-doctoral researcher, delved into the relational dimension of the human person, stating that “life is destitute” and emphasizing that human identity is always constructed in relation to others and in constant projection toward the future.

In the field of communication and culture, Íñigo Urquía, professor of Communication and Humanities at UFV, explained how Marías’s metaphysical anthropology offers insights into understanding organizations from a more human perspective: “not only in terms of their attributes, but also their history, their purpose, and their future prospects.”

The conference also included a session devoted to an anthropological reflection on the differences between men and women. Nieves Gómez Álvarez, a professor with a Ph.D. in Philosophy, emphasized that men and women are “equally human beings,” though not “the same,” arguing that their differences constitute a source of richness rooted in complementarity rather than inequality.

Jornada MArías_1 A humanistic perspective on understanding the contemporary world through the thought of Julián Marías Study at the Universidad Privada Madrid

Philosophy for Understanding the Present

The meeting concluded with a shared reflection on the relevance of Julián Marías’s thought today and its ability to offer intellectual and human tools for addressing the challenges of the present. The participants agreed that his philosophical approach continues to provide a particularly relevant perspective for understanding personal identity, social life, and the cultural changes of our time.

The event was organized through the 2026 Call for Research Project Grants, launched by the university’s Office of the Vice President for Research, thereby reinforcing UFV’s commitment to research that fosters dialogue between thought, culture, and society.

The UFV has established itself as a leader in forensic science education

Francisco de Vitoria University is thus strengthening its position as a leading institution in the field of criminalistics. As it prepares to graduate its first class of master’s students, the university demonstrates its ability to bridge the gap between academic training and the practical needs of the judicial system. Its commitment to active learning methods and the incorporation of realistic simulations enable students to tackle highly demanding forensic scenarios.