Scientific theories pose problems of foundation related to questions of interpretation and intertheoretical articulation. These are often problems of an ontological nature that are ignored in the everyday practice of science. Thus, new philosophical subdisciplines (i.e., philosophy of physics, biology, etc.) are now addressing these issues. Projects within this area will propose interdisciplinary research that catalyzes discoveries about the fundamental laws and structures of nature and examines their philosophical and/or theological implications.

Featured projects:

Intertheoretical relations between quantum mechanics and other theoretical domains.
Director: Olimpia I. Lombardi

The philosophy of religion studies questions concerning the existence and nature of the divine, its relationship to human beings and the natural world, the nature of religion and its place in human life, among many others. The natural and cognitive sciences also contribute to this discussion as essential actors. Projects within this area will propose interdisciplinary research aimed at enhancing our understanding of the possibility and purposes of the divine and its relationship to the natural world.

Featured projects:

Human and divine providence
Director: Ignacio Silva

The ontological argument as an argument for the existence of God.
Director: Ignacio Garay.

Providence and the Philosophy of Science: A Project on Thomism Committed to Science
Director: Ignacio Garay.

Various philosophical schools and methods have contributed to our understanding of the human person as a whole, with fruitful analyses of corporeality, subjectivity, interiority, relationality, and openness to transcendence. Alongside this, the development of the cognitive sciences, particularly psychology, also stimulates philosophical reflection today to investigate the ontological foundations of the person. Projects within this area will propose scientifically grounded research that fosters a deeper understanding of the human person, including the nature of consciousness, spirituality, agency, and relationality.

Featured projects:

Philosophical and psychological study of the individuality of the personal being.
Director: Juan F. Franck

The philosophical foundations of the reciprocal self.

Director: Juan F. Franck

Psychology and education have revisited the study of character strengths as a means of understanding the individual and their potential development. It is now recognized that many virtues (e.g., compassion, generosity, honesty, loyalty, justice) are necessary in social interactions. In this context, philosophical knowledge is closely intertwined with scientific fields. Projects within this area will propose interdisciplinary research to promote a deeper understanding of how character virtues are internalized and strengthened, how they promote our well-being, and how they shape our meaning and purpose.

Featured projects:

"Hero" and "Little Hero," two technology apps to encourage prosocial behavior in adolescents and children..
Director: Belén Mesurado.

Can Intellectual Well-being be an Essential Dimension of Full Human Development? Director: Belén Mesurado.

Projects in the area of ​​moral psychology aim to promote a truly interdisciplinary approach to the moral decision-making process. Focusing primarily (but not exclusively) on the neural and cognitive bases of moral intuitions, reasoning, habits, and emotions, we are particularly interested in research that explores the plausibility of a human core of moral evaluations and motivations beyond Cultural and individual differences. Finding credible empirical data on these topics could represent an important input for philosophical and theological controversies.

Featured projects:

Universal Moral Grammar: A Cognitivist Approach to Natural Law?
Director: Mariano Asla

A Philosophical Path to Ethical Realism (through) Confrontation with Scientific Approaches. Director: Mariano Asla

Interdisciplinary research raises new challenges for the philosophy of knowledge and for cognitive science in general. To reverse excessive specialization and foster cross-fertilization between disciplines, it seems necessary to migrate from the existing epistemic plurality toward a collaborative process of social cognition that demands specific intellectual virtues.

Featured projects:

How to develop intellectual virtues for interdisciplinary research
Director: Claudia E. Vanney

Philosophical ethics cannot rationally guide human behavior today without an informed dialogue with science and technology that respects their methodological differences. Interdisciplinary research projects within this area will focus both on the influence that science and technology could have on ethics and on the ethical assessment of contemporary technoscience. As an example of the first topic, projects on the genetic/neural/cognitive basis of moral decision-making are welcome. Regarding the second topic, we would like to delve into the ethical challenges posed by transhumanism or ecological and environmental problems.

Featured projects:

Transhumanism, ethics and human nature.
Director: Mariano Asla