Miguel García-Valdecasas, Lecturer in Philosophy
Ángel Luis González: the horizon of the university
The University of Navarra received on April 16 the news of the unexpected death of Professor Ángel Luis González, Full Professor of Metaphysics. He was a professor with an extensive academic degree program : he directed 11 projects of research, was author or publisher of 38 books and 28 articles, director of the philosophical collection of Eunsa, which has led to the publication of more than 230 titles, founder of a journal, publisher of a philosophical dictionary and of the complete works of Leonardo Polo. He was advisor of several national and international boards of research , and honorary doctor by the Panamerican University of Mexico in 2010.
It is hard to accept the departure of a professor and friend who had the university in his heart. As the son of a former Full Professor and President of the Complutense University, he had a high concept of the value and mission statement of the university, which he carried in his DNA. He dedicated a good part of his life to tasks of governance and service in the university as Vice President, Dean, director of department. He understood that the university should seek higher knowledge, increase it and disseminate it to a greater extent than any other institution, and he dedicated himself to this with enormous commitment.
He was well aware of the challenges facing any university today, and especially teaching of Philosophy. But these problems did not stop him; he knew all too well that complaining, sitting back, or "copping out" is of little use. He saw the Philosophy, and Humanities in general, as playing a central role in the university training , and he was keenly aware of the need to promote and disseminate it in order to help the whole university community to reflect.
He was serious, kind and demanding; a gentleman in his attention. He encouraged professors and students to strive for excellence, to set themselves realistic and ambitious goals. In the same way, he implied that the university should have great projects in its portfolio, promote excellence and flee from mediocrity, routine and complacency.
That horizon financial aid to understand his indefatigable work. From the outside it is difficult to understand how he managed to write and promote research on Thomas Aquinas, Nicholas of Cusa, Spinoza and Leibniz, in individual and collective works over 40 years in which he had numerous governmental responsibilities.
numerous governmental responsibilities. The surprising thing is that anyone looking for him did not get the impression that he had so much stuff on him, as his office door was always open.
Perhaps that is why his memory will live on for many years. thesis With more than 70 doctoral studies under his direction, he left many disciples in Spain and Latin America who should take up his frequent invitation to focus on what is truly important: the task of thinking and reflecting on the perennial problems of the Philosophy without being distracted by flares of light. To work, to help others to grow humanely, to serve the university: that was his passion.