The Xavier Zubiri Review, Vol. 6, 2004, pp. 99-104

History of Zubiri Studies and Activity in North America

Thomas B. Fowler President, Xavier Zubiri Foundation of North America Washington, DC USA

Abstract The history of Zubiri in North America began with his visit to Princeton University in 1946. Initial scholarly interest in Zubiri’s philosophy was the product of work by Robert Caponigri and Frederick Wilhelmsen in the 1960s and 70s. Thomas Fowler learned about Zubiri from these gentlemen and began his work of translation and publishing in the 1970s. Caponigri’s translation of Sobre la esencia and Fowler’s translation of Naturaleza, Historia, Dios were published in the early 80s. Others including Nelson Orringer, Gary Gurtler, and Leonard Wessell had been investigating Zubiri, and the four met at the I Con- greso Xavier Zubiri in in 1993. Later Fowler decided that a focus for Zubiri studies was needed for North America and the English-speaking world, and he established the Xa- vier Zubiri Foundation of North America in 1997. Shortly thereafter he completed and the Foundation published his translation of Inteligencia sentiente. The Xavier Zubiri Review was launched in 1998, with papers on Zubiri presented at the XX World Congress of Phi- losophy. The journal is now in its sixth volume. Interest in Zubiri’s work continues to grow, and now many more people in North America are investigating his thought. Nelson Orringer’s translation of Estructura dinámica de la realidad was published in 2003, bring the four the number of published translations of Zubiri. Joaquin Redondo has translated Zubiri’s theology trilogy and is now at work on other Zubiri translations.

Resumen La historia de Zubiri en América del Norte empieza con su visita a la Universidad de Princeton en 1946. El interés erudito inicial en la filosofía de Zubiri resulta del trabajo de Robert Caponigri y Frederick Wilhelmsen en los años sesenta. Thomas Fowler sabe de Zu- biri de estos señores y empieza su trabajo de traducción y publicación en los años setenta. La traducción de Caponigri de Sobre la esencia y la traducción de Fowler de Naturaleza, Historia, Dios se publicaron a principios de los años ochenta. Otros incluso Nelson Orrin- ger, Gary Gurtler, y Leonard Wessell estaban investigando la filosofía de Zubiri, y los cuatro se encuentran en el I Congreso Xavier Zubiri en Madrid en 1993. Después Fowler decide que un enfoque para los estudios de Zubiri es necesario para América del Norte y el mundo angloparlante, y con la ayuda de la Fundación Xavier Zubiri en Madrid, establece la Xavier Zubiri Foundation of North America en 1997. Dentro de poco él complete y la Fundación publica su traducción de Inteligencia sentiente. La Xavier Zubiri Review se lanzó en 1998, con ponencias sobre Zubiri presentados al XX Congreso Mundial de Filosofía. El periódico está ahora en su sexto volumen. Interés en el trabajo de Zubiri continúa creciendo, y ahora hay muchos más personas en América del Norte que están investigando su pensamiento. La traducción de Nelson Orringer de Estructura dinámica de la realidad se publicó en 2003, y con esto ya hay cuatro traducciones al inglés de Zubiri publicadas. Joaquín Redondo ha traducido la trilogía de teología de Zubiri y sigue traduciendo otras obras de Zubiri.

99 100 Thomas B. Fowler ______

Early History Professor A. R. Caponigri (1915-1984), of the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, The history of Zubiri in North America Indiana. Unlike Wilhelmsen, Caponigri undoubtedly dates to his visit with his wife knew Zubiri personally, and attended so- Carmen to Princeton University in 1946, me of his seminars in Madrid. But like where his father-in-law Amerigo Castro Wilhelmsen, he also studied all the major was lecturing. Zubiri remained in the Uni- Spanish thinkers of the 20th century, and ted States for several months, visiting ot- did translations of some of their works. her cities including New York and Wash- His first book on the subject, Contempo- ington. At Princeton, during the month of rary Spanish Philosophy, was published in October, 1946, Zubiri delivered a lecture 1967, and contained an essay on anthro- in French, “Le reel et les mathematíques: pology by Zubiri originally written in the un problème de philosophie”, now lost. late 1940s, “The Origin of Man”. With the This lecture did not, apparently, lead to collaboration of Theresa Sandok, O.S.M., any further study of his work, though he Caponigri then took on the task of trans- was pleased to find a copy of Naturaleza, lating Zubiri’s principal work as of that Historia, Dios in the Library of Congress in date, Sobre la esencia. He completed the Washington, DC, which he visited during translation in the late 1970s, and wrote an his trip to that city.1 extensive introduction for it, as well as compiling a glossary of Zubiri’s philoso- First Scholarly Interest in Zubiri phical terms. Due to delays associated with the editorial process, Caponigri’s Interest in Zubiri’s philosophy in translation, under the title On Essence, North America can be traced to the 1960s. did not appear until 1982. Caponigri Two persons were instrumental in intro- passed away before he could become fa- ducing Zubiri’s work to English-speaking miliar with Zubiri’s later thought, pub- audiences in those early days. Professor lished in the three volumes of Inteligencia Fritz Wilhelmsen (1923-1996) studied in sentiente and other works; as a result, his and received his doctorate in phi- introduction, though valuable, does not losophy from the University of Madrid in reflect Zubiri’s mature philosophy. 1958. He taught at the University of Pam- In the late 1960s, Thomas Fowler, plona until 1965, then moved to the Uni- then an undergraduate student at the versity of Dallas, Texas. He published an University of Maryland (College Park, Ma- influential book, The of Love, ryland), became interested in Spanish lit- in 1962, later translated into French and erature and culture, and read Wilhelm- Spanish. Though himself a Thomist, Wil- sen’s book. He learned about Zubiri from helmsen admired Spanish philosophy, and that book, and on a trip to Spain in 1968, wrote sympathetically about the major secured copies of Zubiri’s books then in thinkers active in Spain during the 20th print, viz. Cinco lecciones de filosofía, So- century, including Unamuno, Ortega y bre la esencia, and Naturaleza, Historia, Gasset, and of course, Zubiri, whom he Dios. He was very impressed with the described as “the finest metaphysician in clarity and insight of the essays in this Spain today”. Wilhelmsen himself never latter book, and began translating them actually met Zubiri, and at the time of his for his friends to read. He visited Caponi- book only knew his published works as of gri in South Bend in 1975, and learned a the early 60s. He does not seem to have great deal about Zubiri and his work from pursued his interest in Zubiri’s thought him. Caponigri also supplied Fowler with after that time, though he did travel to the address of Ignacio Ellacuria, and rec- Spain frequently. ommended that he contact Ellacuria to The second person who studied and obtain a letter of introduction to Zubiri. wrote about Zubiri in those early days was Ellacuria advised Fowler that Zubiri would

XAVIER ZUBIRI REVIEW 2004 History of Zubiri Studies and Activity in North America 101 ______be happy to meet with him in Madrid. nario de Historia de la Filosofia Espanola Eventually Fowler completed his transla- held every other year at the Universidad de tion of book, and he took the English Salamanca. In his own words, he “de- manuscript with him on a trip to Madrid voured Naturaleza, Historia, Dios and So- in September 1978, where he met Zubiri bre la esencia and immediately recognized for the first time, and showed him the their author's historical importance.” He translation, entitled Nature, History, God. was particularly intrigued by Estructura Zubiri was unaware of Fowler’s translation dinamica de la realidad, which he later work, and was quite surprised and de- translated (see below). lighted to see that the entire book had Gary Gurtler, S.J., of Boston College already been translated. They became became interested in Zubiri in the mid good friends, and Zubiri told Fowler to go 1980s, and spent considerable time in ahead and publish his translation. Fowler Madrid investigating his thought. He goes requested that Zubiri compose an intro- to Spain frequently to study Zubiri and duction to this English edition, which he other Spanish . wrote and send to Fowler in 1980. In this Also interested in Zubiri and actively now-famous essay, “Author’s Introduction publishing articles about him was Profes- to the English Edition”, Zubiri documented sor Leonard Wessell, formerly of the Uni- for the first time the three stages of his versity of Colorado but now residing in intellectual development (this work is Bonn, Germany. Wessell spends much known in Spanish as “Dos Etapas”). Na- time in Salamanca and is a friend of Anto- ture, History, God was issued in 1981, by nio Pintor-Ramos and other Zubiri schol- University Press of America. Fowler vis- ars. Orringer, Fowler, Gurtler and Wessell ited Zubiri again in 1982, and participated met at the I Congreso Internacional Xavier in one of the seminars, during which In- Zubiri in Madrid, July, 1993. teligencia y razón was being discussed. A gentleman originally from Spain but During that visit, Zubiri asked Fowler to who lived most of his life in the United translate Inteligencia sentiente. He began States, Mr. Joaquin Redondo, also knew of the task later that year, but the complexity Zubiri and was extremely interested in his and difficulty of the work, as well as com- work. mitment to other tasks, meant that it By the early 1990s, it became clear to would take about 16 years to complete. Fowler that though Zubiri’s name was Also during that visit, Fowler met Diego recognized widely, there was no central Gracia, and the two quickly became focus for Zubiri studies and research in friends. When Zubiri passed away the the English-speaking world. After the I following year, Fowler maintained contact Congreso Internacional Xavier Zubiri, with Gracia, who has advised him and Fowler felt that something needed to be worked with him on subsequent Zubiri done to establish a Foundation in the Uni- projects. ted States, which would be the place whe- Among others interested in Zubiri was re people could go to learn about Zubiri’s noted scholar Professor Nelson Orringer, of thought, his works, and research done the University of Connecticut, who was about him. Despite limited resources, he investigating major Spanish philosophical established the Xavier Zubiri Foundation and literary figures of the 20th century, of North America early in 1997. Its origi- including Unamuno, Ortega, and Zubiri. nal board of directors included Diego Gra- He published books on Unamuno and cia, Gary Gurtler, and Joaquin Redondo. Ortega, and became known to the Fun- Shortly thereafter, Nelson Orringer joined dación in Madrid. Orringer came to know the Board. The Foundation was created of Zubiri through Antonio Pintor-Ramos, with the following objectives: whom he met around 1980 at the Semi-

XAVIER ZUBIRI REVIEW 2004 102 Thomas B. Fowler ______

• Publish and distribute transla- one of the most extensive devoted to Zubi- tions of Zubiri's works. ri. To make difficult-to-access resources • Serve as a resource center for available, many journal articles were research and study of Zubiri. scanned and put on the web site. After the 100th anniversary of Zubiri’s • Sponsor seminars on Zubiri, birth in 1998, Fowler decided that a jour- and sessions on Zubiri at major nal devoted to Zubiri studies would be conferences. appropriate, so he established The Xavier • Allow scholars studying Zubiri Zubiri Review, whose first volume ap- to exchange ideas, papers, and peared early in 1999. Volume 6, 2004, other research material. was published early in 2005. Also in • When resources permit, sponsor 1998, Fowler received a request to go to established scholars to study Brasilia, Brazil, to teach courses on Zubiri Zubiri in Madrid, and fellow- at the Redemptoris Mater seminary there, ships for graduate students in- which bases its philosophical formation on terested in doing theses and dis- Zubiri’s thought. He taught a course on sertations on Zubiri. Zubiri and Causality, and later Nelson • Maintain a liaison with the Fun- Orringer also went and taught several dación Xavier Zubiri in Madrid courses. With the invaluable assistance of and coordinate North American Nelson Orringer, Fowler subsequently activities with those in Spain used the Foundation to contact other and elsewhere in the world. Zubiri scholars, many of whom have gone • Ensure accurate translations to Brasilia and offered courses there. De- and interpretations of Zubiri’s tailed course material for several of the works. courses offered there is available on the Foundation’s web site. In addition, the XX In addition, Fowler realized that outside of World Congress of Philosophy was held in Latin- and South America, English is more Boston in August of 1998, and Orringer widely spoken than Spanish, and thus it and Fowler organized a session on Zubiri, was important to make Zubiri’s works and which featured speakers from United information about him available in Eng- States, Spain, and Mexico. Fowler also lish, to reach out to this broader audience. presented two papers on Zubiri in other This audience potentially includes coun- sessions at the Congress. Papers present tries such as those of northern Europe at the Zubiri session were printed in the and east Asia, where English is commonly first volume of The Xavier Zubiri Review. spoken but Spanish is not. Because of During its existence, the web site led differences in philosophical orientation of many scholars to contact the Foundation, the English-speaking countries, a different which supplied information to them and approach to presenting Zubiri was also helped them with their projects, and also necessary (see below, section II). allowed them to contact each other di- Taking advantage of the new Internet rectly. At least one English-language the- technology, in April of 1997 Fowler set up sis on Zubiri has been written in recent an extensive website, www.zubiri.org, years, Human Essence: Existential Con- which included a hyperlinked bibliogra- cerns and Zubiri’s Theory of Open Essence, phy, English translations of Zubiri’s works by Celeste Weber Moore, and is available available up to that time, biographical on the web site. The Foundation now has information, a glossary, announcements of correspondents in Europe of course, in- conferences, sources for purchase of Zubi- cluding England, in Australia, throughout ri’s works in Spain, course and lecture South America and , Japan, notes on Zubiri, and other information of Philippines, and China. value to Zubiri scholars. The site remains

XAVIER ZUBIRI REVIEW 2004 History of Zubiri Studies and Activity in North America 103 ______

In more recent developments, Fowler’s the doctoral thesis of Desiderio Ferrer Del- translation of Inteligencia sentiente was gado on the subject of relegation in Zubiri, published by the Foundation in 1999 un- which was approved in May, 2004, with der the title of Sentient Intelligence. This the highest honors (sobresaliente cum lau- one-volume book includes the three sepa- de). Fowler has also received other re- rate volumes of the original, Inteligencia y quests for faculty to direct dissertations, realidad, Inteligencia y logos, and Inteli- and assisted a student at the Gregorian gencia y razón. The translation was care- University, Jaime Calderón Calderón, in fully read and revised by Gary Gurtler, the composition of his dissertation by who made many invaluable suggestions. supplying needed materials.3 The Foundation continues to publish The Presently the Foundation is continu- Xavier Zubiri Review, and is coordinating ing its translation and publishing work, the translation of other Zubiri works. and also developing its web site. Nelson Nelson Orringer intuited that the Orringer, Gary Gurtler, and Leonard Wes- theme of becoming was peculiarly suited sell continue publishing articles on Zubiri, to the Anglo-American ethos, so he com- as does Thomas Fowler, who has contrib- pleted a magnificent translation of Estruc- uted a chapter on Zubiri to a book on the tura dinamica de la realidad, on which ontology of consciousness to be published Gurtler and Fowler also did critical read- by Harvard University Press. The Founda- ings. The translation was published in tion is also negotiating with major U.S. 2003 by the University of Illinois Press publishers to issue all of Zubiri’s works in under the title The Dynamic Structure of translation. Redondo is composing an Reality. WorldCat reveals that it is pres- introduction to Zubiri’s theological ently the work by Zubiri with widest world thought, and Fowler is writing a book on circulation in research libraries. Or- causality and its history, with reference to ringer’s research on Zubiri also enabled Zubiri’s philosophy. him to understand in depth the medical Besides Orringer, Wessell, Gurtler, anthropology of Pedro Lain Entralgo, Redondo, and Fowler, others actively based on Zubiri's metaphysics. This led to working on Zubiri in North America are: his 1997 book, La aventura de curar: La antropologia medica de Pedro Lain En- • John McGuire, Natural Law Juris- tralgo.2 prudence Center, Berkeley, Cali- Joaquin Redondo has translated the fornia Zubiri theology trilogy, which includes El • Robert Bellah, sociologist, Berke- hombre y Dios, El problema filosofico de la ley, California, is using Zubiri’s historia de las religiones, and El Cristian- thought and cited Zubiri in his ismo. These translations have been par- book, Habits of the Heart: Individu- tially revised by Fowler and are available alism and Commitment in American on the website that Redondo maintains, Life, (University of California Press, www.catholicphilosophy.com; they may be 1985), for his analysis of Pascal’s published by the Foundation in 2005. He writings which appeared in Natu- is currently working on a translation of raleza, Historia, Dios.. Los problemas fundamentales de la metafí- • Brad Elliott Stone, philosophy, sica occidental. Others have announced Loyola Marymount University, Los that they are at work on translations as Angeles, California well. The Foudation is trying to interest a major publisher in publishing all of • Carlos Risco Risco, humanities, Zubiri’s works in English. University of California, Berkeley, In response to a request received by working in the area of clinical psy- the Foundation, Nelson Orringer directed chology and psychiatry. He has

XAVIER ZUBIRI REVIEW 2004 104 Thomas B. Fowler ______

presented papers in which Zubiri’s a thesis on Zubiri (published in The ideas are used to help diagnose Xavier Zubiri Review) and cure patients. (He will be writ- There are undoubtedly others who are ing an article on his work for the unknown to the Foundation at present, next Xavier Zubiri Review) but who use its materials and facilities. It • Robert Todd, Bloomington, Indiana is also of interest to note that U.S. Univer- sity libraries collectively contain much • Robert Geis, , New York material on Zubiri. Modern online data • Celeste Weber Moore, St. Andrew searching methods allow this material to Hall Jesuit Novitiate and Le Moyne be located and then requests to borrow or College, New York, who has written copy it can be made.

Notes

1 Carmen Castro de Zubiri, Xavier Zubiri: Breve also at the Seminario Redemptoris Mater in recorrido de una vida, Amigos de la Cultura Brasilia, a Zubiri center. He has authored Cientifica, 1986, pp. 83ff. numerous studies on Zubiri’s thought, and 2 Barcelona: Gutemberg: Galaxia. translated two of Zubiri’s works, Nature, His- tory, God and Sentient Intelligence. At the 3 Jaime Calderón Calderón, La libertad como present time he is doing research for a book fundamento de configuración de la personali- on Zubiri and the problem of causality, a to- dad en Xavier Zubiri, : Editrice Pontifi- pic on which he has published several arti- cia Università Gregoriana, 2002. cles. He also works as a consultant to the U.S. Government in scientific and technical matters. In addition to his continuing work Biography of the author on Zubiri, he recently completed a book on Thomas Fowler is president and foun- the evolution controversy, a subject of life- der of the Xavier Zubiri Foundation of North long interest to him. America. He has taught at several colleges and universities in the , and Email: [email protected]

XAVIER ZUBIRI REVIEW 2004