Numerous people -some of his siblings (Tomás, Pilar, Nieves and Marian), teachers and friends- filled on Saturday, February 8 at noon at the classroom Magna of Central Building to pay tribute to the professional career of Full Professor from Philosophy Rafael Alvira Domínguezwho began working at the University of Navarra in 1980. He had previously been at the Complutense University of Madrid and briefly at the University of La Laguna. Professor Alvira was, in addition, until his retirement, researcher principal of the project 'Religion and Civil Society' from Institute for Culture and Society( ICS).

The event was chaired by Alfonso Sánchez-Tabernero, President of the University of Navarra, Rosalía Baena, dean of the School of Philosophy and Letters, Jaume Aurell, director of the high school business and Humanism and Raquel Lázaro, director of the department of Philosophy.

Alejandro Martínez, professor teaching assistant doctor of the department of Philosophy, read the 106 endorsements to the event, among which he highlighted those of Mary Ann Glendon, Antonio Heredia, Giuseppe Nicolazzi and Enrique Sendagorta.

The speech of Montserrat HerreroMontserrat Herrero, tenured professor at the University of Navarra, was a symbol of gratitude for his teaching, with the semantic charge that the words "symbol" and "gratitude" have for Professor Alvira, who has directed almost 80 doctoral thesis -most of them published-, and has written 16 books and 310 articles. "He never formed a school, an expression of the freedom of his Chair" -said Professor Herrero, who thanked "the professional adventures I have been able to follow with him, although it is not easy to go at his pace. Rafael Alvira has been a servant of all. By the way -she affirmed addressing him expressly- we are still waiting for the book of Philosophy Política that you keep in pectore. "Write in the souls", this has been your motto", concluded Montserrat Herrero.

Juan Arana, Full Professor of Philosophy of the University of Seville, traced the history of the creation of department of Philosophy, in which Professor Rafael Alvira, together with Full Professor Alejandro Llano, were at the head of the first gears, and defined him as "a contemplative in the midst of the academy". He emphasized his ability to get to the heart of matters and to be a master in knowing how to make the complicated simple. "A thinker of totalities, he defends himself and us with a sharp irony," she said.

Carmelo Vigna, professor at Ca'Foscari University in Venice and a great friend of the honoree, said that "Rafael Alvira's passion for Philosophy is a passion for truth and for good".

"What is now the high school business y Humanismo owes you almost everything," said in his speech Agustín González Enciso, Full Professor of the University of Navarra and Deputy Director of high school business y Humanismo. "Entrepreneurs have learned, throughout these 28 years of life of high school, ways of living the business more dignified, with more vision for the future." He alluded to Professor Alvira's passion for soccer, "which sometimes leaves your mind blank" and highlighted the Alvira maxim that says: "the most practical thing is a good theory".

Professor Rafael Alvira, for his part, responded to all these speeches with gratitude and emphasized their multiplier effect. He thanked St. Josemaría Escrivá for making him understand that "in Jesus Christ knowledge and the person were united; the work and the word. To his parents and siblings, "from them I learned the political Philosophy , because one becomes free by living together with the common good. To Antonio Millán Puelles, his teacher, whom he defined as "a profound thinker without concessions to the gallery". And finally to the School of Philosophy and Letters of the University of Navarra and the high school business and Humanism . "The best and most grateful memories I owe to them". He explained how Blessed John Paul II in his encyclical "Fides et Ratio" hoped that the 21st century would be the century of the unity of knowledge, since without it the person cannot live the unity of life. "If to create is to give being," Alvira continued, "to believe is to be grateful that from nothingness Someone gives me being. Creating and believing have almost the same power. It is from faith that the future is built".

Alfonso Sánchez-Tabernero, President of the University of Navarra, concluded the event and said that Rafael Alvira is a true teacher, who stands out "not only for his eagerness to know, study, think and discuss it with Socrates to deepen, but also wants others to grow. He knows how to listen to them, guide them, motivate them, correct them and lend them a hand at any time".