Archives Italiennes de Biologie, 149 (Suppl.): 112-114, 2011. The “sacredness” of the scientist: Moruzzi in via San Zeno narrated by Mario Tobino M. ZAPPELLA University of Siena A bstract Giuseppe Moruzzi as described by Mario Tobino, writer and psychiatrist of his time, is reported through a visit of the latter to the Institute of Physiology in via San Zeno and to some aspects of their correspondence. The result- ing image is that of the true scientist, protagonist and entirely dedicated to research and culture, guide for young students, example and glory for his Country. Key words Ethical sense • Behaviour of social groups Chi non ha patria non ha da esser né sacerdote né else is of any relevance: even the invitation he was padre about to issue becomes an irrelevant banality. The one who has no fatherland should not be a priest “He was keeping his eyelids half-closed as if his nor a father mind needed that lampshade. His forehead was Ugo Foscolo broad and steep. He restrained his words as he uttered them, as if he wanted to probe them before “He was entirely entangled in his subject”. This is speaking: in addition he had that emilian accent the beginning of the article entitled “A scientist” which anchors the feelings to the syllables”. A that Mario Tobino1 wrote in 1971 in “Il Corriere description which reminds the image of a scholar della Sera” (Tobino, 1971), the leading newspaper in the School of Athens by Raffaello: in the centre in our country. This phrase is followed by a note of of the painting he keeps his eyes lowered in a state modesty: “I noticed that as I entered, and the reason of intense concentration and writes something on a of my visit appeared of little value as well as the paper. invitation I was about to issue, which I did anyhow, In Tobino’s writings – in his books, essays, articles but that immediately faded as if (had) never (been) – there are some characters who stand out against pronounced. I arrived at the Institute of Physiology a background and take on an explicit sacral signifi- in via San Zeno at eight o’clock in the morning. cance. These are the most diverse people who share Moruzzi was in the library, a man of about sixty a passionate quest for truth, directed to all men. This years of age, slender, height slightly above average”. is the essence of their lives: therefore who dedicates In a few words Tobino outlines the intensity of the his life to it can assume the traits of the priest, that is relationship between Moruzzi and the topic of his of the one who deals with and conveys sacred things study: like a priest before a sacred object. Nothing for the benefit of mankind. These persons belong to Corresponding Author: Michele Zappella MD, child neuropsychiatrist teaching at the University of Siena, via Bonci 27, 53100 Siena - E mail [email protected] Moruzzi IN VIA SAN ZENO narrated BY MARIO TOBINO 113 every social condition: in the case of Moruzzi, a sci- scientist”. In this context Tobino feels that beyond entist who searches for the deepest truths of nature Moruzzi institute there are in Italy a number of other with the most effective methods, his emotion is similar islands. more intense. It is worth reminding, however, that in This “sacredness” of the true scientist is character- his book diverse characters are treated in an analo- ized by a strong ethical sense, a dimension which gous way. In The Desert of Lybia Tobino describes includes research and a rigorous evaluation of facts: with sympathy and admiration Mahmud, the arabian the new discoveries will be spread among profes- who loves his homeland and becomes his compatri- sionals for the good of mankind. There is no place ots’ point of reference (Tobino, 1952). In another for profit or corruption of any kind: the scientist book The Ember of Biassoli, a man of the people, will not sell himself to the great capital or to ideolo- Piè di Cavana, a communist worker of a village in gies of any kind, his research must be free and stem Liguria is, in contrast, dramatically alone in keeping from curiosity and empathy, against self-interest faithful to his ideas keeping the direction and the and power. Moreover, he is ready to fight for what feelings of his eyes unchanged as before (Tobino, he thinks is right for mankind both in his field and 1956): in fact, when the black fascism seizes power, in matters concerning, for example, the freedom of his comrades one after the other, submit to the new his country. In this conference we have a beauti- order. Only Piè “was looking as before”. Beaten ful example in Carlo Matteucci who fought for the several times, his house finally surrounded, he is independence of our Country in 1848-49 like sev- able to flee, but is subsequently killed. His mother eral other Italian scientists of that age. At all levels and Tobino’s mother, both religious, when speaking the scientist is ready to entirely commit himself: a about him evoke the image of the priest. sacred and heroic figure. Again, in the case of Moruzzi and of Piè, the key to The love of Moruzzi for Italy is extensively described their personality is in the intensity and direction of by Berlucchi (Berlucchi, 1986). Besides, Moruzzi their eyes. This definition of the sacred for such dif- became famous at the end of the forties: at that time ferent persons, vowed to different destinies, does not I remember Pisa full of ruins, our country poor and take away anything from the greatness that Tobino without resources. The United States was gener- attaches to Moruzzi; both of them shared a total ous with brilliant scientists and Moruzzi received dedication to their missions, one scientific, the other important offers with considerable advantages; in literary, in favour of the mentally ill. Tobino passed that context he would have been likely to receive a almost his entire professional life in the rooms of well deserved Nobel prize. But Moruzzi’choice is to his psychiatric hospital, likewise Moruzzi meant stay in Italy (Pisa), which reveals a patriotism of the research as a continuum. same nature as Tobino’s: fidelity to his country, cul- The article continues: “Silence reigned in the library ture, and history. This is made clear when he deals where we were and piles of books made the walls with the despair of the scholars in the centuries after warm. The free spaces were hung with the portraits the fall of Rome, followed, however, by an unex- of great physiologists”. pected recovery when Europe started to flourish, Moruzzi invites him to visit the institute and Tobino universities were founded and cathedrals were built notes that the researchers were pale. “It is true” says (Moruzzi, 1949). Moruzzi “Yes. That’s why: because they work too In those years Tobino, patriot and partisan during much. Never a pause”. the war, writes Passion for Italy (Tobino, 1958) and And Tobino’s comment: “The institute was per- sends a copy to his friend Moruzzi who appreciates vaded by a ritual-like hum”. the book, but he is so honest to note some divergence Suddenly Moruzzi, “a humanist”, quoted Manzoni. of opinions concerning Germany. He writes on this It is now Tobino who becomes protagonist for some topic: “As a matter of fact the entire history of post- time: the man who spent entire nights reading let- war years is a lesson of humility for all nations. It ters and notes of don Lizander2 and now comments tells us that there is not a people exempt from the on Manzoni’s correspondence with other men of danger of creating a criminal state while the every- culture. “Moruzzi was listening with the rapture day chronicle, everywhere (including Italy) makes us and modesty which are the first gifts of the great think that men prepared to become SS are available 114 M. ZAPPELLA everywhere. The criticism against one country alone tering the same words time and again, is finally in can favour a sense of righteousness in the citizens of the limelight, and can spit out those words; he is an other countries and weaken the defenses. Never has innovator, a revolutionary, an executioner, and ends the danger been so great in my opinion”. up being someone. The mode whirls him, spins him, These considerations anticipate what we now know makes him happy”. about the behaviour of social groups after the studies These last considerations where Moruzzi shares conducted in 1971 and subsequently by Zimbardo, a Tobino’s thoughts remain valid today. socio-psychologist of California (Zimbardo, 2008), The image of Moruzzi described by Mario Tobino showing how the power of social situations can in this article and in other writings is that of the profoundly alter the values and morality of large true scientist who is at the same time protagonist social groups. At the time of Moruzzi’s letter these in research, guide for young students and glory of studies had not been published yet. This letter shows his Country: a precious example for science and a Europeanism which Tobino’s writings lack: their contemporary society, both threatened by the preva- correspondence, the reply of Tobino to Moruzzi lence of commercial aims which risk masking and with more questions than certitudes, summarize the manipulating truth. significance of a friendship without shadows with solid common traits and with an eagerness to discuss Notes different points of view. 1 Mario Tobino (1910-1991) is a famous Italian Both Moruzzi and Tobino devoted themselves to writer and psychiatrist, author of several books studying the brain, one as a neurophysiologist on various themes, including episodes of last war, and the other as a psychiatrist and writer.