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:
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
The Razón Abierta Institute at Francisco de Vitoria University cordially invites faculty and researchers to participate in the 7th Razón Abierta Conference, to be held on June 8, 9, and 10, 2026.
The purpose of this gathering is to foster interdisciplinary dialogue among the sciences, philosophy, and theology, in the spirit of the thought of Francisco de Vitoria, whose insights and legacy offer guidance for understanding and addressing the challenges of our time.
Presentations must address one of the following thematic areas and should preferably be assigned to one of the roundtable discussions, although the Organizing Committee may reassign them if it deems it appropriate:
Participant/Field of expertise
