Razón Abierta 2026 Conference: Francisco de Vitoria, a Beacon of Light in an Uncertain World

The 7th Razón Abierta Conference focuses on Francisco de Vitoria, as it coincides with the 500th anniversary of his appointment to the University of Salamanca. This anniversary provides a fitting occasion to dedicate a conference to Francisco de Vitoria:

• Because he lends his name to our university, and this is a wonderful opportunity for all of us—faculty, staff, and students—to get to know our patron better and be inspired by his ideas.

• Because he was a renowned, admired, and much-loved university professor and Dominican friar (Orden de los Predicadores), and his character and approach to academic study and teaching shed light on the identity and mission of the 21st-century Catholic university.

• Because he was a man of open-mindedness, and thus a great source of inspiration and insight for shedding light on contemporary debates.

• Because the School of Salamanca was a beacon of light in an uncertain world. Those were times of great uncertainty, much like our own today.

The first morning of the conference will focus on the School of Salamanca and Francisco de Vitoria, his method of argumentation, his role as a teacher, and how all of this relates to the concept of the university as articulated by recent popes, from Ex corde Ecclesiae to Ratio Aperta and up to Leo XIV’s Unitas in Veritate.

From there, we will address highly topical issues that Vitoria reflected on in his time and that remain as relevant as ever, illuminated by his insight and wisdom.

9:30 – 10:00 Opening Remarks

Daniel Sada, President, Francisco de Vitoria University

Leopoldo Prieto, conference director and professor of modern philosophy at Francisco de Vitoria University

10:00 – 10:45 Lecture: Francisco de Vitoria, a Beacon of Light in an Uncertain World

Marie Monnet, President, Domuni Universitas

10:45 – 12:00 Roundtable Discussion: Francisco de Vitoria, the Teacher. The University Professor Today

Julio Söchting, O.P., Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Universidad del Norte Santo Tomás de Aquino

Jaime Nubiola, Professor Emeritus at the School of Philosophy, University of Navarra

María Lacalle, Director of the Razón Abierta Institute, Francisco de Vitoria University

Moderator: Isidro Catela, Professor of Humanities, Francisco de Vitoria University

12:00 – 12:45 Break. Coffee

12:45 – 2:00 PM Roundtable Discussion. In Illo uno unum (unidad de la verdad). From the 16th-century university to today’s university

Edward Mulholland, professor at Benedictine College, Athiston, Kansas, USA

Mario S. Carvalho, professor at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Coimbra

Rafael Ramis Barceló, Professor of Legal History, University of the Balearic Islands

Moderator: Salvador Antuñano Alea, Professor of Ancient Philosophy, Francisco de Vitoria University

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Lunch

3:30–4:15 p.m. Lecture: Natural Law, Human Dignity, and Human Rights. Following in the Footsteps of Francisco de Vitoria: Natural Law Today

José Miguel Serrano Ruiz-Calderón, Professor of Philosophy of Law at the Complutense University of Madrid

3:15 PM – 4:30 PM Panel Discussion: Rights Without Nature? The Temptation to Redesign Humanity

Elena Postigo Solana, Director of the Institute of Bioethics, Francisco de Vitoria University

Fr. Alberto Carrara, LC, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum

María Calvo, Associate Professor of Administrative Law, Carlos III University

Moderator: José Ángel Agejas Esteban, Professor of Ethics, Francisco de Vitoria University

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Communications

10:00 – 10:45 Lecture: From Salamanca to The Hague. Hispanic Legal Tradition and International Law

Benigno Pendás, President, Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences

Moderator: Javier de Cendra, Dean of the School of Law, Business, and Government, Francisco de Vitoria University

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Panel Discussion: The Limits of Civil Power

José María Beneyto, Professor of International Law, European Law, and International Relations, San Pablo CEU University

Domingo González, professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Murcia

Leopoldo Prieto, Professor of Modern Philosophy, Francisco de Vitoria University

Moderator: Juan Pablo Serra, Professor of Humanities, Francisco de Vitoria University

12:00 – 12:45 Break. Coffee

12:45 – 2:00 PM Roundtable Discussion: The School of Salamanca and Just War. Vitoria and Suárez in the Face of Today’s War Challenges

Jean-Paul Coujou, Professor of Philosophy, Institut Catholique de Toulouse

Enrique Bonete, Professor of Moral Philosophy, University of Salamanca

Ángel Barahona, Professor of Fundamental Theology, Francisco de Vitoria University

Moderator: Ignacio Cosidó, Director of the Center for the Global Common Good, Francisco de Vitoria University

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Lunch

3:30–4:15 p.m. Lecture: Economics and the Market in the Works of the Great Salamancan Scholars

Stefano Zamagni, Professor of Political Economy, University of Bologna

2:15–3:30 p.m. Panel Discussion: Free Trade and Justice in Economic Relations

Pedro Schwartz, Professor of the History of Economic Thought, Complutense University of Madrid

Radek Biernacki, professor at the School of Economics and Business, Finis Terrae University

Daniel Lacalle, Professor of Global Economics, IE Business School

Moderator: Tomás Gómez, Director of the Bachelor's Degree Economics and Finance, Francisco de Vitoria University

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Communications

8:00 PM Dinner or cultural evening

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Roundtable Discussion: Missionary Ideals and the New Evangelization. Evangelizing on Campus?

Fabrice Hadjadj, philosopher and director of the Incarnatio Institute

Armando Pego Puigbó, Professor of Humanities, Ramón Llull University

Alejandro Rodriguez de la Peña, Professor of Medieval History, San Pablo CEU University

Moderator: Daniel Sada, President, Francisco de Vitoria University

12:00 – 12:45 Break

12:45 – 1:30 p.m. Lecture: Higher Education, Consciousness, and Reason in the Age of AI

Francesc Torralba, Professor of Ethics, Ramón Llull University

1:30–2:00 p.m. Closing Ceremony

Leopoldo Prieto, conference director and professor of Modern Philosophy at Francisco de Vitoria University