José María Ferrater Mora (; 30 October 1912 – 30 January 1991) was a Spanish philosopher, essayist and writer. He is considered the most prominent Catalan philosopher of the 20th-century and was the author of over 35 books, including a four-volume ''Diccionario de filosofía'' (Dictionary of Philosophy, 1941) and ''Being and Death: An Outline of Integrationist Philosophy'' (1962). Subjects he worked on include ontology, history of philosophy, metaphysics, anthropology, the philosophy of history and culture, epistemology, logic, philosophy of science, and ethics. He also directed several films. Ferrater Mora was known for his inclusion of humans and non-human animals within the same moral sphere, or continuum, arguing that the difference was one of degree, not kind.

Biography

Ferrater Mora was born in 1912, in

Barcelona Barcelona ( ; ; ) is a city on the northeastern coast of Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within c ...

, Spain. He studied at Santa Maria del Collell, then at the

University of Barcelona The University of Barcelona (official name in ; UB), formerly also known as Central University of Barcelona (), is a public research university located in the city of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was established in 1450. With 76,000 students, ...

, where he earned a BA, in 1932, and his BPhil, in 1936. During the

Spanish Civil War The Spanish Civil War () was a military conflict fought from 1936 to 1939 between the Republican faction (Spanish Civil War), Republicans and the Nationalist faction (Spanish Civil War), Nationalists. Republicans were loyal to the Left-wing p ...

, he enlisted in the Republican Army, serving as an intelligence clerk, before escaping the country in 1939. In exile, he spent three months in

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...

, before moving to and lecturing in

Havana, Cuba Havana (; ) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center.Santiago, Chile Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Regi ...

. After receiving a

Guggenheim Fellowship Guggenheim Fellowships are Grant (money), grants that have been awarded annually since by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, endowed by the late Simon Guggenheim, Simon and Olga Hirsh Guggenheim. These awards are bestowed upon indiv ...

, he moved to the United States, first residing in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

. In 1949, Ferrater Mora was hired by

Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr College ( ; Welsh language, Welsh: ) is a Private college, private Women's colleges in the United States, women's Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as a ...

to teach philosophy and Spanish literature, where he worked till his retirement, in 1981. He married

Priscilla Cohn Priscilla T. Neuman Cohn Ferrater Mora (; December 14, 1933 – June 27, 2019) was an American philosopher and animal rights activist. She was Emerita Professor of Philosophy at Pennsylvania State University, associate director of the Oxford Ce ...

(his former doctoral student) in 1980. Ferrater Mora died from a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when Ischemia, blood flow decreases or stops in one of the coronary arteries of the heart, causing infarction (tissue death) to the heart muscle. The most common symptom ...

, on 30 January 1991, while visiting Barcelona.

Philosophy

Ferrater Mora is the creator of a philosophical method he called integrationism, with which he sought to integrate opposite systems of thought. He argued that irreducible concepts, which are the source of many disputes and divisions in philosophy, do not denote existing realities in themselves but are "limit concepts"; that is to say, these "opposite poles" do not exist absolutely. They exist only as trends or directions of reality and therefore are complementary and are useful to talk about it. His philosophical work also focused on questions of an ontological nature. He called his ontological position "

monism Monism attributes oneness or singleness () to a concept, such as to existence. Various kinds of monism can be distinguished: * Priority monism states that all existing things go back to a source that is distinct from them; e.g., in Neoplatonis ...

sui generis ( , ) is a Latin phrase that means "of its/their own kind" or "in a class by itself", therefore "unique". It denotes an exclusion to the larger system an object is in relation to. Several disciplines use the term to refer to unique entities. ...

''", since it unites monism and pluralism; it is an

emergentism Emergentism is the philosophical theory that higher-level properties or phenomena emerge from more basic components, and that these emergent properties are not fully reducible to or predictable from those lower-level parts. A property of a sys ...

in which the elements assemble themselves by virtue of their properties or functions, or properties-functions. Each structure, although it depends to exist on the elements that compose it, is not reducible to them because it acquires new properties-functions that cannot be explained based on those of the element. The structure also becomes an element for a new structure. Self-assembly begins from the physical level to the point where structures acquire more complex properties-functions and of a different order to give rise to a new biological level, and thus the continuum progresses until reaching the social and then the cultural level. It is a continuum that does not break and that goes from matter to reason. He was one of the first philosophers to introduce

applied ethics Applied ethics is the practical aspect of morality, moral considerations. It is ethics with respect to real-world actions and their moral considerations in private and public life, the professions, health, technology, law, and leadership. For ex ...

to the Spanish-speaking world and was a staunch supporter of

animal rights Animal rights is the philosophy according to which many or all Animal consciousness, sentient animals have Moral patienthood, moral worth independent of their Utilitarianism, utility to humans, and that their most basic interests—such as ...

. His works combine a wide variety of influences, including the Spanish philosophers

Miguel de Unamuno Miguel de Unamuno y Jugo (; ; 29 September 1864 – 31 December 1936) was a Spanish essayist, novelist, poet, playwright, philosopher, professor of Greek and Classics, and later rector at the University of Salamanca. His major philosophical ...

, Eugenio d'Ors and

José Ortega y Gasset José Ortega y Gasset (; ; 9 May 1883 – 18 October 1955) was a Spanish philosopher and essayist. He worked during the first half of the 20th century while Spain oscillated between monarchy, republicanism and dictatorship. His philosoph ...

and numerous other representatives of both continental and analytic philosophy.

Legacy

In January 1991, Ferrater Mora made public the decision to donate his personal library to the

University of Girona The University of Girona ( (); ;) is located in the city of Girona, Catalonia, Spain. Its real origin dates back to its creation in 1446, but it was reestablished as a new university in 1991. As of 2021, it consists of several campus and buildings ...

. The collection consists of 7,255 books, 156 journal titles and correspondence, with 6,748 letters. The correspondence includes letters between Ferrater Mora and his friends, politicians and intellectuals of the time. This collection also includes letters from his departure into exile in the 1940s (Cuba, Chile and the United States), until his death in 1991. Other documents of interest include related writings, with politics and culture sent by personalities of the time: Xavier Benguerel,

Enrique Tierno Galván Enrique Tierno Galván (Madrid, 8 February 1918 – Madrid, 19 January 1986) was a Spanish politician, sociologist, lawyer and essayist, best known for being the Mayor of Madrid from 1979 to 1986, at the beginning of the new period of Spanish d ...

Néstor Almendros Néstor Almendros Cuyás, (30 October 1930 – 4 March 1992) was a Spanish cinematographer. He was one of the most highly appraised contemporary cinematographers, having a working collaboration with filmmakers François Truffaut, Éric Ro ...

and

Josep Trueta Josep Trueta i Raspall (27 October 1897 – 19 January 1977) was a Catalan surgeon and researcher from Spain. Biography Born in the Poblenou neighbourhood of Barcelona, Trueta came from a progressive minded family with medical and military bac ...

, among many others. Founded in 1989, the Ferrater Mora Chair in Contemporary Thought, regularly organizes seminars and lessons on contemporary philosophy. The Ferrater Mora Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics is named in his honour.

Selected works

The following works are in Spanish, unless otherwise noted: * ''Dictionary of Philosophy'' (Mexico: Atlante, 1941) * ''Spain and Europe'' (Santiago de Chile: Cruz del Sur, 1942) * ''The Forms of Catalan Life'' (Santiago de Chile: Agrupació Patriòtica Catalana, 1944), in Catalan and Spanish * ''Unamuno: Outline of a Philosophy'' (Buenos Aires: Losada, 1944) * ''Four Visions of Universal History'' (Buenos Aires: Losada, 1945) * ''Spanish Issues'' (Mexico: Colegio de México, 1945) * ''Variations on the Spirit'' (Buenos Aires: South American, 1945) * ''The Irony, the Death and the Admiration'' (Santiago de Chile: Cruz del Sur, 1946) * ''The Meaning of Death'' (Buenos Aires: South American, 1947) * ''The Book of Meaning'' (Santiago de Chile: Pi de les Tres Branques, 1948), in Catalan * ''Hellenism and Christianity'' (Santiago de Chile: University of Chile, 1949) * ''The Man at the Crossroads'' (Buenos Aires: South American, 1952) * ''Disputed Questions: Essays on Philosophy'' (Madrid: Revista de Occidente, 1955) * ''Mathematical Logic'' (Mexico: Fondo de Cultura Económica, 1955), co-authored with Hugues Leblanc * ''Ortega y Gasset: An Outline of His Philosophy'' (London: Bowes and New Haven: Yale University, 1957), in English * ''What Is Logic'' (Buenos Aires: Columba, 1957) * ''Philosophy in Today's World'' (Madrid: Revista de Occidente, 1959) * ''Being and Death: Outline of Integrationist Philosophy'' (Madrid: Aguilar, 1962) * ''Three Worlds: Catalonia, Spain, Europe'' (Barcelona and Buenos Aires: EDHASA, 1963) * ''Being and Meaning'' (Madrid: Revista de Occidente, 1967) * ''Inquiries About Language'' (Madrid: Alianza, 1970) * ''Words and Men'' (Barcelona: 62, 1970), in Catalan * ''Man and His Environment and Other Essays'' (Madrid: Siglo Veintiuno, 1971) * ''Shift in Philosophy'' (Madrid: Alianza, 1974) * ''Cinema Without Philosophies'' (Madrid: Esti-Arte, 1974) * ''From Matter to Reason'' (Madrid: Alianza, 1979) * ''Seven Capital Stories'' (Barcelona: Planeta, 1979) * ''Applied Ethics: From Abortion to Violence'' (Madrid: Alianza, 1981), co-authored with Priscilla Cohn * ''Claudia, My Claudia'' (Madrid: Alianza, 1982) * ''The World of the Writer'' (Barcelona: Crítica, 1983) * ''Ways of Doing Philosophy'' (Barcelona: Crítica, 1985) * ''Voltaire in New York'' (Madrid: Alianza, 1985) * ''Foundations of Philosophy'' (Madrid: Alianza, 1985) * ''Made in Corona'' (Madrid: Alianza, 1986) * ''Window to the World'' (Barcelona: Crítica, 1986) * ''Dictionary of Great Philosophers'' 2 (Madrid: Alianza, 1986) * ''The Truth Game'' (Barcelona: Ediciones Destino, 1988) * ''Return from Hell'' (Barcelona: Anthropos, 1989) * ''Miss Goldie'' (Barcelona: Seix Barral, 1991) * ''Women on the Verge of Legend'' (Barcelona: Círculo de readers, 1991) * ''Butterflies and Superstrings: Dictionary for Our Time'' (Barcelona: Peninsula, 1994)

Awards

* Ferrater Mora received honorary degrees from the following universities: the

Autonomous University of Barcelona The Autonomous University of Barcelona (; Spanish: ; ; UAB) is a public university mostly located in Cerdanyola del Vallès, near the city of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain. , the university consists of 57 departments in the experimental, lif ...

(Spain, 1979), the

University of the Republic The University of the Republic (, sometimes ''UdelaR'') is a public research university in Montevideo, Uruguay. It is the country's oldest and largest university, as well as one of the largest public universities in South America in terms of en ...

(Uruguay, 1983), the

National University of Tucumán The National University of Tucumán (; UNT) is an Education in Argentina, Argentine national university located in Tucumán Province and the largest in Argentina's northwest region. Founded on 25 May 1914 in San Miguel de Tucumán, access to the ...

(Argentina, 1983), the

National University of Colombia The National University of Colombia () is a national public research university in Colombia, with general campuses in Bogotá, Medellín, Manizales and Palmira, and satellite campuses in Leticia, San Andrés, Arauca, Tumaco, and La Paz, ...

(1983), the

National University of Distance Education The National Distance Education University (, UNED) is a distance learning and research university founded in 1972 and is the only university run by the government of Spain. The headquarters is located in Madrid, with campuses in all Spanish aut ...

(Spain, 1986), the

National University of Salta The National University of Salta () is an Argentine public national university in Salta. It was founded on 11 May 1972 as a part of the ''Plan Taquini'', a reorganization plan for education. It has around 20,000 students. Overview The universi ...

(Argentina, 1986), the

National University of Cuyo The National University of Cuyo (, UNCuyo) is the largest center of higher education in the province of Mendoza, Argentina. As of 2005, the university had 12 academic schools in the city of Mendoza and a delegation in the city of San Rafael (pr ...

(Argentina, 1988), the

(1988) and the

University of Santiago de Compostela The University of Santiago de Compostela - USC (, ) is a public university located in the city of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. A second campus is located in Lugo, Galicia. It is one of the world's oldest universities in continuous o ...

(posthumous; Spain, 1991). * In 1982, he was awarded the Cross of the

Order of Isabella the Catholic The Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic (; Abbreviation, Abbr.: OYC) is a knighthood and one of the three preeminent Order of merit, orders of merit bestowed by the Kingdom of Spain, alongside the Order of Charles III (established in 1771) and ...

. * In 1984, he was awarded the

Creu de Sant Jordi The Creu de Sant Jordi (, in English language, English 'St George's Cross') is one of the highest civil distinctions awarded in Catalonia (Spain), surpassed only in protocol by the Gold Medal of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Gold Medal of the G ...

of the

Generalitat de Catalunya The Generalitat de Catalunya (; ; ), or the Government of Catalonia, is the institutional system by which Catalonia is self-governed as an autonomous community of Spain. It is made up of the Parliament of Catalonia, the President of the Govern ...

and the Grand Cross of the

Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise The Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise () is a Spanish civil order established in 1939, recognising activities in the fields of education, science, culture, higher education and research. The order was created on 23 May 1902 by Royal decree as t ...

. * In 1985, he was awarded the

Prince of Asturias Award The Princess of Asturias Awards (, ), formerly the Prince of Asturias Awards from 1981 to 2014 (), are a series of annual prizes awarded in Spain by the Princess of Asturias Foundation (previously the Prince of Asturias Foundation) to individuals ...

for Communication and Humanities. * In addition to being a ''numerus clausus'' member of the International Institute of Philosophy and various academic societies, he belonged to the

North American Academy of the Spanish Language The North American Academy of the Spanish Language () is an institution made up of philologists of the Spanish language who live and work in the United States, including writers, poets, professors, educators and experts in the language itself. It ...

References

External links

Works by José Ferrater Mora
at

Internet Archive The Internet Archive is an American 501(c)(3) organization, non-profit organization founded in 1996 by Brewster Kahle that runs a digital library website, archive.org. It provides free access to collections of digitized media including web ...

Josep Ferrater Mora Foundation

Ferrater Mora Collection (University of Girona Library)

Ferrater Mora Correspondence in the University of Girona DUGi Repository

("Animal rights"; the first essay on animal rights published in Spain) {{DEFAULTSORT:Ferrater Mora, Jose 1912 births 1991 deaths 20th-century Spanish philosophers Spanish animal rights scholars Animal ethicists Bryn Mawr College faculty Film directors from Catalonia Novelists from Catalonia Philosophers from Catalonia People from Barcelona Recipients of Princess of Asturias Awards Recipients of the Order of Isabella the Catholic Spanish essayists University of Barcelona alumni Spanish military personnel of the Spanish Civil War (Republican faction)