The current pandemic felt by the entire globe has brought not only deep anxieties and fears but also profound quests and search for root causes and answers for our challenging situations – socio-political, cultural, ecological, etc. In order to understand the uniqueness and specificity of our times and to look for some resources that may help us deepen our understanding, this special research project intends to explore the philosophical-theological writings of a special figure, Romano Guardini, one of most important Catholic intellectuals in the 20th century.

The goal is not just to focus on Guardini himself or one particular religion but to look into urgent issues and challenges the entire humanity is facing today. His philosophical and theological insights may provide us with a specific perspective to study and diagnose the contemporary conundrums and to inspire us to develop new insights and thoughts compatible and corresponding to the complex and globalized world in our times.  

This special research project will focus on four important issues: the crisis of the modern world, the impact of technology, morality and spirituality. Hence, a set of online seminars will study four most important works written by Guardini: (1) The End of the Modern World, (2) Letters from Lake Como, (3) The Virtues: On Forms of Moral Life and (4) Spirit of Liturgy. (Further bibliography related to each topic will be provided during each seminar.)

The project will be coordinated by:

William A. Barbieri, Professor of Ethics, Catholic University of America, Washington DC, USA

Yvonne Dohna Schlobitten, Professor of Theological Aesthetics, Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy

João J. Vila-Chã, Professor of Philosophy, Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy

Holger Zaborowski, Professor of Philosophy, University of Erfurt, Erfurt, Germany

Schedules for Online Seminars

Seminar I. The Crisis of the Modern World

October 18 and November 1, 2021 (6.00-7.30pm Germany Time)

The End of the Modern World

(directed by Holger Zaborowski)

Seminar II. Aesthetics

April 2 and 9, 2022 (6.00-7.30pm Rome Time)

Guardini’s Aesthetics

(directed by Yvonne Dohna Schlobitten)

Seminar III. Power and Responsibility and the Challenges of Technologies

October, 2022

Power and Responsibility & Letters from Lake Como

(directed by João J. Vila-Chã)

Seminar IV. Morality

January 2023

The Virtues: On Forms of Moral Life

(directed by William A. Barbieri)

Seminar V. Spirituality

March 2023

Spirit of Liturgy

(directed by Holger Zaborowski & Yvonne Dohna Schlobitten)

Schedules for In-person Conferences

November 2023

Modernity, Culture and Person

University of Erfurt, Erfurt, Germany

March 2024

Spirituality and Religious Experience

Gregorian University, Rome, Italy

Those who are interested in this research project, please click the link under each seminar above for further information and application.