In Memoriam: Mariano Álvarez Gómez: Metaphysics and Dialectics

Abstract

This article is a presentation of Mariano Álvarez-Gómez’ academic work. He was the founding President of the Spanish Hegel’s Society (Sociedad Española de Estudios sobre Hegel) and held two Chairs of Philosophy in the University of Salamanca: first, the Chair of History of Ancient and Mediaeval Philosophy, later, the Chair of Metaphysics. His academic career started in the 1960’s with publications on Nikolaus von Kues and Hegel and along his intense university life he wrote on every major area of theoretical philosophy. The Spanish Hegel’s Society owes an immense debt of gratitude to his continuous and unfailing help. As a tribute to his memory, this article expounds the main guidelines of his thought through a double main thread: metaphysics and dialectic. Starting with his writings on N. von Kues, we review his main philosophical work on the infinite and his Commentary to De venatione sapientiae. Secondly, we refer to his work on Experience and System in Hegel, as well as to other well-known contributions on Hegel’s theoretical and practicalphilosophy. Then, we stress the importance of his studies on metaphysics, historicity and philosophy of religion. Deep and essential thinker, Mariano Álvarez-Gómez is generally credited with being one of the best researchers on Hegel in Spanish language. The metaphysical dimension of his thought is one of the main features of his elegant and profound writing style. Magister of generations, he is remembered and appreciated by his attentive relationship and care for students, and for his intellectual personality as philosopher, so speculative and friendly.
as philosopher, so speculative and friendly.