Angelo Pirotta
Encyclopedia
Angelo Pirotta, O.P.
(1894-1956) was a major Maltese philosopher. His areas of specialisation in philosophy were chiefly epistemology and metaphysics
.
, Malta
, on December 27, 1894. Even if his family lived hand to mouth, he was the first of thirteen children, three of whom died in infancy.
Pirotta was first privately schooled by Canon Fortunato De Bono. Later, he eventually enrolled on a regular course at the government-owned high school for boys (the Lyceum) at Valletta
. He completed the course at the Lyceum up till the age of sixteen. Thereafter, he joined the Dominicans almost immediately, on April 30, 1911.
After completing his second year of theology (1916-17), Pirotta was chosen to continue his theological studies at Angelicum College in Rome
, Italy
. In the meantime, he was ordained a priest by on September 22, 1917, at the St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta
, Malta
.
In Rome
Pirotta resided at the Angelicum College itself. After his two years of theology (1917-19), on July 1, 1919, he successfully set for his Lectorate exams with a dissertation entitled De Reali Distinctione inter Essentiam et Esse in Creatis (The Real Distinction between Essence and Existence in Created Being). Thereafter, he proceeded with his post-graduate studies in philosophy (1919-21). Meanwhile, he also prepared his doctorate thesis, entitled De Supposto et Persona, which he successfully defended on, July 1, 1921.
. Here he spent five academic years (1921-26), teaching history of philosophy, natural science (also called ‘physics’), and theodicy (theologia fundamentalis; now called natural theology). Here he was frequently invited to address the Circulus Philosophicus (Philosophical Discussion Group), and was also asked to contribute to prestigious Thomistic periodicals, read sermons, and give speeches. At Viterbo, Pirotta also prepared his first major publication, and frankly his most successful composition to date: an exposition of Aquinas’ commentary on Aristotle
’s De Anima (On the Soul).
, Pirotta returned to Rome
to assume a teaching post at the Angelicum College. Here Pirotta remained for just two years (1926-28), teaching philosophy, theodicy, logic, and ontology.
In terms of literary production, Pirotta’s Roman years correspond to a very prolific and industrious period. He wrote reviews, scientific articles, and even prepared and published his second major work: another exposition on Aquinas’ commentaries on Aristotle
’s De Sensu et Sensato (On Sense and Sensibility) and De Memoria et Reminiscientia (On Memory and Remembrance).
In Malta
Pirotta spent two academic years (1928-30), residing and lecturing at Rabat, Malta
. More or less as usual, Pirotta read philosophy, the history of philosophy, and apologetics. He also continued to publish steadily, especially scientific reviews and articles.
, near Florence
, Italy
. The college here was not a public one, but the academic institution that prepared Dominican
students for the priesthood. Pirotta stayed here for just one academic year (1930-31), reading the history of philosophy, and the treatise on divine revelation.
Here he also worked upon the first of his six-volumned Summa Philosophæ (The Sum of Philosophy), which he published in 1931. He also prepared for his Masters. The final exam was successfully held on May 7, 1931, in Rome
at the Angelicum College, which by that time had been upgraded to the status of an international university. As was the usual practice, the title was conferred four years later. The official investiture was held at the Dominican Priory at Rabat, Malta
on November 24, 1935.
came Naples
. Here, at the Aquinas College of the Dominicans, Pirotta did not go simply as a lecturer, but as a Rector (‘Lectorem Primarium’). He stayed here for three consecutive academic years (1931-34).
At Naples, Pirotta may be considered to have been at the peak of his academic career. At the beginning of his experience there he published the first of his planned six-volumned Summa Philosophæ: a study about Aristotelico-Thomistic logic, called the Philosophia Rationalis (Rational Philosophy). Later, he proceeded to publish his third exposition: this time of Aquinas’ commentary on Aristotle
’s Ethicorum ad Nichomachum (Nichomachean Ethics).
, at Rabat, Malta
. During the first academic year (1934-35) he was just a lecturer of philosophy. In the following year, however, he was chosen to be the Rector of the college. He retained this office for nine years, up till 1944, which included the worst of the World War II
years in Malta
.
At the beginning of the 1935-36 academic year, Pirotta was officially conferred with his Masters. A few months later, he issued his second volume of the Summa Philosophiæ, the one dealing with natural philosophy, and called Philosophia Naturalis.
In 1938 Pirotta applied for the Deanship of philosophy at the Royal University of Malta. Though unmatched or much less unsurpassed by any other contender, he lost the competition nonetheless. Though he took the rebuff most gracefully, Pirotta decided to make some drastic changes to his life. Thus, from 1939 onwards, right up to his death, he lived the larger part of his days at Naxxar
, staying at his convent at Rabat, Malta
only as little as possible.
At Rabat, Malta
Pirotta was still the Rector, and still read philosophy at the college there. Also from 1939 onwards, he acted as supplementary examiner at the Royal University of Malta. He further continued to deliver sermons here and there, and even to hear confessions on a regular basis.
. During these years he assiduously worked on his next publication, which evenentually had to be his last. This was his fourth exposition, the one on Aquinas’ eight books of commentaries on Aristotle
’s De Physico Auditu (Physics). It was published in 1953.
One fatal day in the latter part of 1955, Pirotta became victim of acute cerebral vascular insufficiency due to diabetes and chronic smoking. As a result, his memory had become seriously impaired, and so was his reasoning powers. He died at his parents’ home at Naxxar
on November 16, 1956, a month short of his sixty-second birthday, and buried in the Dominican
church of Our Lady of the Grotto at Rabat, Malta
.
, that he was part of. None of them have ever been published.
archives at Rabat, Malta
. Most of the titles are Pirotta’s own.
archives at Rabat, Malta
. The titles are generally Pirotta’s own.
. With him, an era of Scholastics, extending back to the latter part of the 16th century, starting with John Matthew Rispoli
, came to an end. Today, as philosophy took new shapes and adopted different language-forms, Pirotta might appear almost incomprehensible in his world-view and philosophical method. This is further intensified his consistent use of Latin, a language very few still remember how to use or read.
Though a great speculative thinker, it is somewhat difficult to gauge Pirotta’s originality. Surely his lack of concrete commitment with things social and political, as any old-time, first division scholastic would be, today makes him suspect of a certain lack of concern for world affairs as for the fate of humans. However, the scholastics had another way of understanding what philosophical service to humankind should be. Arguably, they sought to enlighten the highest (or most profound) aspects of reason, there where the quality of life might be improved and perfected.
Much work is still needed to continue discovering the wealth which philosophers of the calibre of Pirotta possessed.
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
(1894-1956) was a major Maltese philosopher. His areas of specialisation in philosophy were chiefly epistemology and metaphysics
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:...
.
The Early Years
Pirotta was born at NaxxarNaxxar
Naxxar is a village in the central north of Malta, with a population of about 13,647 people . The Naxxar Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Victories. The feast is celebrated on September 8...
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, on December 27, 1894. Even if his family lived hand to mouth, he was the first of thirteen children, three of whom died in infancy.
Pirotta was first privately schooled by Canon Fortunato De Bono. Later, he eventually enrolled on a regular course at the government-owned high school for boys (the Lyceum) at Valletta
Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's...
. He completed the course at the Lyceum up till the age of sixteen. Thereafter, he joined the Dominicans almost immediately, on April 30, 1911.
Initial Formation
At Rabat, together with his companions, Pirotta began his novitiate, and then, a year later, made his simple (three-year) profession on May 12, 1912. Thereafter, he began his institutional studies; three years of philosophy (1912-15), and four of theology (1915-19), of course all according to the [Thomist] tradition. He made his religious profession on May 11, 1915After completing his second year of theology (1916-17), Pirotta was chosen to continue his theological studies at Angelicum College in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. In the meantime, he was ordained a priest by on September 22, 1917, at the St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta
Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's...
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
.
In Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
Pirotta resided at the Angelicum College itself. After his two years of theology (1917-19), on July 1, 1919, he successfully set for his Lectorate exams with a dissertation entitled De Reali Distinctione inter Essentiam et Esse in Creatis (The Real Distinction between Essence and Existence in Created Being). Thereafter, he proceeded with his post-graduate studies in philosophy (1919-21). Meanwhile, he also prepared his doctorate thesis, entitled De Supposto et Persona, which he successfully defended on, July 1, 1921.
At Viterbo
Pirotta’s first academic assignment was at ViterboViterbo
See also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
. Here he spent five academic years (1921-26), teaching history of philosophy, natural science (also called ‘physics’), and theodicy (theologia fundamentalis; now called natural theology). Here he was frequently invited to address the Circulus Philosophicus (Philosophical Discussion Group), and was also asked to contribute to prestigious Thomistic periodicals, read sermons, and give speeches. At Viterbo, Pirotta also prepared his first major publication, and frankly his most successful composition to date: an exposition of Aquinas’ commentary on Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
’s De Anima (On the Soul).
At Rome
After ViterboViterbo
See also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
, Pirotta returned to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
to assume a teaching post at the Angelicum College. Here Pirotta remained for just two years (1926-28), teaching philosophy, theodicy, logic, and ontology.
In terms of literary production, Pirotta’s Roman years correspond to a very prolific and industrious period. He wrote reviews, scientific articles, and even prepared and published his second major work: another exposition on Aquinas’ commentaries on Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
’s De Sensu et Sensato (On Sense and Sensibility) and De Memoria et Reminiscientia (On Memory and Remembrance).
Interlude in Malta
In 1928 Pirotta had to retire momentarily to his homeland since his family was in dire straits. One of his brothers became seriously ill, and his mother was ill and dying. She succumbed on July 5, 1929.In Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
Pirotta spent two academic years (1928-30), residing and lecturing at Rabat, Malta
Rabat, Malta
Rabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
. More or less as usual, Pirotta read philosophy, the history of philosophy, and apologetics. He also continued to publish steadily, especially scientific reviews and articles.
At Fiesole
Back in Italy, Pirotta was sent to College of FiesoleFiesole
Fiesole is a town and comune of the province of Florence in the Italian region of Tuscany, on a famously scenic height above Florence, 8 km NE of that city...
, near Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. The college here was not a public one, but the academic institution that prepared Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
students for the priesthood. Pirotta stayed here for just one academic year (1930-31), reading the history of philosophy, and the treatise on divine revelation.
Here he also worked upon the first of his six-volumned Summa Philosophæ (The Sum of Philosophy), which he published in 1931. He also prepared for his Masters. The final exam was successfully held on May 7, 1931, in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
at the Angelicum College, which by that time had been upgraded to the status of an international university. As was the usual practice, the title was conferred four years later. The official investiture was held at the Dominican Priory at Rabat, Malta
Rabat, Malta
Rabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
on November 24, 1935.
At Naples
After TuscanyTuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
came Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
. Here, at the Aquinas College of the Dominicans, Pirotta did not go simply as a lecturer, but as a Rector (‘Lectorem Primarium’). He stayed here for three consecutive academic years (1931-34).
At Naples, Pirotta may be considered to have been at the peak of his academic career. At the beginning of his experience there he published the first of his planned six-volumned Summa Philosophæ: a study about Aristotelico-Thomistic logic, called the Philosophia Rationalis (Rational Philosophy). Later, he proceeded to publish his third exposition: this time of Aquinas’ commentary on Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
’s Ethicorum ad Nichomachum (Nichomachean Ethics).
In Malta
In 1934, Pirotta was recalled to MaltaMalta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, at Rabat, Malta
Rabat, Malta
Rabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
. During the first academic year (1934-35) he was just a lecturer of philosophy. In the following year, however, he was chosen to be the Rector of the college. He retained this office for nine years, up till 1944, which included the worst of the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
years in Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
.
At the beginning of the 1935-36 academic year, Pirotta was officially conferred with his Masters. A few months later, he issued his second volume of the Summa Philosophiæ, the one dealing with natural philosophy, and called Philosophia Naturalis.
In 1938 Pirotta applied for the Deanship of philosophy at the Royal University of Malta. Though unmatched or much less unsurpassed by any other contender, he lost the competition nonetheless. Though he took the rebuff most gracefully, Pirotta decided to make some drastic changes to his life. Thus, from 1939 onwards, right up to his death, he lived the larger part of his days at Naxxar
Naxxar
Naxxar is a village in the central north of Malta, with a population of about 13,647 people . The Naxxar Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Victories. The feast is celebrated on September 8...
, staying at his convent at Rabat, Malta
Rabat, Malta
Rabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
only as little as possible.
At Rabat, Malta
Rabat, Malta
Rabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
Pirotta was still the Rector, and still read philosophy at the college there. Also from 1939 onwards, he acted as supplementary examiner at the Royal University of Malta. He further continued to deliver sermons here and there, and even to hear confessions on a regular basis.
Retirement and Death
Before the war was over, at the end of the academic year of 1943-44, Pirotta – now almost fifty years of age – was relieved of the post of Rector at Rabat, MaltaRabat, Malta
Rabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
. During these years he assiduously worked on his next publication, which evenentually had to be his last. This was his fourth exposition, the one on Aquinas’ eight books of commentaries on Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
’s De Physico Auditu (Physics). It was published in 1953.
One fatal day in the latter part of 1955, Pirotta became victim of acute cerebral vascular insufficiency due to diabetes and chronic smoking. As a result, his memory had become seriously impaired, and so was his reasoning powers. He died at his parents’ home at Naxxar
Naxxar
Naxxar is a village in the central north of Malta, with a population of about 13,647 people . The Naxxar Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Victories. The feast is celebrated on September 8...
on November 16, 1956, a month short of his sixty-second birthday, and buried in the Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
church of Our Lady of the Grotto at Rabat, Malta
Rabat, Malta
Rabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
.
Opus Magnus
- The Summa Philosophiæ Aristotelico-Thomisticæ (The Sum of Aritotelico-Thomistic Philosophy) – Pirotta planned to publish six volumes to complete this monumental work. Unfortunately, he only succeeded in publishing just the first two. The other four volumes remained manuscripts in different phases of preparation. Undoubtedly, the works of this large-scale project represent Pirotta’s philosophical prowess at its very best.
- VOL. I – Philosophia Rationalis (Rational Philosophy; 1931) – This book in Latin, containing 267 pages (and twelve preliminary pages with Roman enumeration), was published by Marietti of TurinTurinTurin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. It is the first volume of Pirotta’s incomplete Summa Philosophiæ project. The volume opens with a preface and a general introduction to philosophy; and closes with a chart that shows the classification of the philosophical sciences according to the Aristotelico-Thomistic school of thought. All paragraphs contained in the book are numbered. Essentially, Pirotta’s Rational Philosophy is a study about logic.
- VOL. II – Philosophia Naturalis (Natural Philosophy; 1936) – The second volume of the incomplete Summa project took five years to finalize. This book is also in Latin, as most of Pirotta’s writings, and contains 820 pages, excluding the eight preliminary pages with Roman enumeration. Like the other volume, it was published with Marietti of TurinTurinTurin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. The book opens with a foreword to the reader, and an introduction; and concludes with an appendix. All paragraphs contained in the book are numbered. Obviously, the writing deals with natural philosophy.
- VOL. III – Metaphysica Ostensiva Generalis seu Ontologia (General Demonstrative Metaphysics or Ontology; c.1935-40) – This volume in the series should have began to present Pirotta’s work on metaphysics. Unfortunately it was never published, though its manuscript shows that it was in an advanced state of composition.
- VOL. IV – Metaphysica Ostensiva Specialis: Metaphysica Entis Creati (Specific Demonstrative Metaphysics: the Metaphysics of Created Being; c.1935-40) – Again, this writing, intended to be the fourth volume in a series of six forming the Summa Philosophiæ Aristotelico-Thomisticæ, was never completed. In its present form of preparation it is difficult to say what the complete final product would have been. The extant manuscript has parts that are compete and others that aren’t. Certainly, whole parts that would have been part of the final version have never been written. The whole manuscript is made up of 580 large folios.
- VOL. V – Metaphysica Ostensiva Specialis: Metaphysica Entis Increati sive Theologia Naturalis seu Theodicea (Specific Demonstrative Metaphysics: the Metaphysics of Uncreated Being otherwise Natural Theology or Theodicy; c.1935-40)– Surprisingly, amongst the four incomplete manuscripts of Pirotta’s Summa Philosophiæ Aristotelico-Thomisticæ, this is the most complete. In fact, though it had to be the fifth volume of the series, the Metaphysica Ostensiva Specialis is practically all ready to go to the printers. It is a matter of speculation whether Pirotta actually intended to publish this fifth volume before the third and fourth. The manuscript is made up of 569 folios.
- VOL. VI – Metaphysica Defensiva seu Critica (Explicative Metaphysics or Criteriology; c.1935-40) – This is most incomplete of Pirotta’s series of manuscripts related to his Summa Philosophiæ Aristotelico-Thomisticæ. The philosopher worked very little on it as a whole, though then segments of it are actually finalized. The entirety of the extant manuscript comprises a staggering 1260 large folios. However, due to its undeveloped state of composition it is practically impossible to imagine what the final shape of the work would have taken.
Commentaries
The commentaries would represent the main output for a Thomistic intellectual with which he really shows his mettle. Apart of Pirotta’s two published volumes that were part of his Summa Philosophiæ Aristotelico-Thomisticæ, published in 1931 and 1936 respectively, these commentaries―especially the first on the De Anima―were in fact the intellectual productions that effectively brought Pirotta most renown.- Commentarium De Anima ([Aquinas’] Commentary on [Aristotle’s] ‘On the Soul’; 1925) – This book in Latin, which contains 307 pages (excluding the thirteen preliminary pages enumerated with Roman numerals), was published with Marietti of TurinTurinTurin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. Its whole title is: Sancti Thomæ Aquinatis Doctoris Angelici Ord. Præd. In Aristotelis Librum De Anima Commentarium (The Commentary of St. Thomas AquinasThomas AquinasThomas Aquinas, O.P. , also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, known as Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis, or Doctor Universalis...
, the Angelic Doctor of the Order of Preachers, on AristotleAristotleAristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
’s Book On the Soul). The volume is dedicated to Mons. Angelo Portelli O.P., Malta’s then Auxiliary Bishop. The DominicanDominican OrderThe Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
archive at Rabat, MaltaRabat, MaltaRabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
, possesses the galley proofs for a new edition of the work, which, incidentally, was never published. Essentially, Pirotta’s work is a commentary on Aquinas’ exposition of AristotleAristotleAristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
’s On the Soul.
- De Sensu et Sensato – De Memoria et Reminiscientia ([Aquinas’ Commentary on Aristotle’s] ‘On Sense and Sensibility’ [and] ‘On Memory and Remembrance’; 1928) – A book in Latin published with Marietti of TurinTurinTurin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, that comprises nine preliminary pages with Roman enumeration, and a further 158 pages. Its whole title is: Sancti Thomæ Aquinatis Doctoris Angelici Ord. Præd. In Aristotelis Libros De Sensu et Sensato De Memoria et Reminiscentia Commentarium (The Commentary of St. Thomas AquinasThomas AquinasThomas Aquinas, O.P. , also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, known as Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis, or Doctor Universalis...
, the Angelic Doctor of the Order of Preachers, on AristotleAristotleAristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
’s Books On Sense and Sensibility [and] On Memory and Remembrance). The book is dedicated to a certain Fortunato De Bono, a Maltese early teacher of Pirotta. Essentially, the writing is an interpretation of Aquinas’ exposition of AristotleAristotleAristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
’s two works.
- Ethicorum Aristotelis ad Nichomachum ([Aquinas’ Exposition of] Aristotle’s ‘Nicomachean Ethics’; 1934) – This publications follows on the warm reception given to Pirotta’s two commentaries on Aquinas’s exposition of AristotleAristotleAristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
’s On the Soul, and On Sense and On Memory. In the intervening years, Pirotta had also published his first volume of his Sum of Philosophy. This volume of 696 pages, excluding the twenty-four preliminary pages with Romon enumeration, was also published with Marietti of TurinTurinTurin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. Its whole title reads: Sancti Thomæ Aquinatis Doctoris Angelici Ord. Præd. In Decem Libros Ethicorum Aristotelis ad Nicomachum Expositio (The Exposition of Saint Thomas AquinasThomas AquinasThomas Aquinas, O.P. , also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, known as Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis, or Doctor Universalis...
, Angelic Doctor of the Order of Preachers, on the Ten Books of AristotleAristotleAristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
’s Nicomachean Ethics). The book is dedicated to Fr. M. S. Gillet O.P., the Master General of the DominicanDominican OrderThe Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
s.
- In Octo Libri De Physico Auditu sive Physicorum Aristotelis Commentaria ([Aquinas’] Eight Books on [Aristotle’s] ‘Physics’ or [Aquinas’] Commentary of Aristotle’s ‘Physics’; 1953) – This is the last of Pirotta’s major contributions to scholastic philosophy, published bearly three years before his death. The study, obviously in Latin, is made up of 658 pages, and was published by M. D’Auria Pontificius Editor of NaplesNaplesNaples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. The book is divided into eight books, and then into lectures (lectio). The first and second Books contain fifteen lectures each; the third, two less; the fourth, twenty-three; the fifth, ten; the sixth, another thirteen; the seventh, just nine; and the eighth, twenty-three. Basically, Pirotta’s work is a commentary on Aquinas’ exposition of Aritotle’s Physics.
Articles
Unlike the commentaries, these articles take up some point or aspect of a particular theme on which Pirotta expands upon. With the exception of the very early ones, published by Pirotta when still at the beginning of his career, the rest are master works that would have been minuely scrutinized by the editorial boards concerned before publication, and furthermore exposed Pirotta’s intellect to a wide readership within international Thomistic academic circles. After publication, almost all of these articles had been subsequently distributed as separate extracts.- ‘L’Arma taghna’ (Our weapon; 1918; signed only as Fr. A.P. o.p.)
- ‘Is-seba’ viaggi dulurusi ta Sidna Gesù Cristu’ (The seven sorrowful walks of Our Lord Jesus Christ; 1919)
- ‘Dialogu fuk it-tghallim nisrani’ (A dialogue on Christian teaching; 1920-21)
- ‘Zamboni, Kant et S. Thomas’ (Zamboni, KantKANTKANT is a computer algebra system for mathematicians interested in algebraic number theory, performing sophisticated computations in algebraic number fields, in global function fields, and in local fields. KASH is the associated command line interface...
and St. Thomas [Aquinas]; 1925) - ‘De unione immediata animæ rationalis ut talis cum corpore’ (On the immediate union of the rational soul as such with the body; 1925)
- ‘De dualismo transcendentali in philosophia S. Thomæ’ (On transcendental dualism in the philosophy of St. Thomas [Aquinas]; 1925-28)
- ‘Ulterior explanatio doctrinæ de anima humana ut forma substatiali corporis’ (Further explanation on the doctrine of the human soul as a substantial form of the body; 1926)
- ‘De metaphysicæ defensivæ natura secundum doctrinam aristotelico-thomisticam’ (On the nature of explicative metaphysics according to Aristotelico-Thomistic teaching; 1927)
- ‘De Trascendentalitate Summæ Theologicæ S. Thomæ’ (On transcendentality in the ‘Sum of Theology’ of St. Thomas [Aquinas]; 1928)
- ‘De methodologia theologiæ scholasticæ’ (On the methodology of scholastic theology; 1929)
- ‘Disputatio de potentia obedientiali iuxta thomisticam doctrinam’ (Argument on the submission of potency according to Thomistic teachings; 1929-30)
- ‘De vitæ genesi’ (On the origin of life; 1932)
- ‘De philogenesi’ (On the impulse towards generation [or Philogenesis]; 1934)
- ‘Escatelogiæ seu Eudæmonologiæ creaturæ intellectualis lineamenta iuxta Cajetani doctrinam’ (Eschatology or A Review of Cajetan’s Doctrine of the Eudemonology of Intellectual Beings; 1935)
- ‘De sacerdotii dignitate’ (On the dignity of the priest; 1947)
Scientivic Reviews
The following reviews, though interesting in themselves, contain little philosophical value. What they do attest to is the standing Pirotta enjoyed with the various editors of the respective scientific journals who had valued Pirotta’s proficiency enough so as to consider him an academic and intellectual worthy of passing authoritative judgement on the writings of other reputed Thomists. Pirotta does not disappoint. He showers praise when earned, but certainly does not shy away from lashing out when warranted.- The 1923 editions of Filosofia Neo-Scolastica – MilanMilanMilan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
(1923) - Mons. F. Olgiati, L’Anima di S. Tommaso (The Soul of St. Thomas [Aquinas]; 1924)
- The 1924 editions of Scientia – Bologna (1924)
- The 1924 edition of Scientia – Bologna (1925)
- The 1924-25 editions of Divus Thomas - PiacenzaPiacenzaPiacenza is a city and comune in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Piacenza...
(1926) - The 1925 editions of Filosofia Neo-Scolastica – MilanMilanMilan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
(1926) - Two volumes of La Scuola Cattolica – MilanMilanMilan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
(1926) - The 1926 editions of Divus Thomas – PiacenzaPiacenzaPiacenza is a city and comune in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Piacenza...
(1927) - The 1926 editions of Logos – Naples (1927)
- M. Cordovani O.P., Il Rivelatore (1927)
- Mons. J. Bittremieux, De Mediatione Universali B.M. Virginis quoad gratias (The Grace [received] through the Universal Mediation of the Bl. Virgin Mary; 1927)
- E. Chiochetti, 2nd ed. of La Filosofia di Giovanni Gentile (The Philosophy of Giovanni Gentile; 1928)
- G. B. Phelan, Feeling Experience and its Modalities (1928)
- C. Petroccia, Lux et Pax in Synthesi Dogmatica (Light and Peace in a Dogmatic Key; 1928)
- Mons. J. Van der Meersch, Tractatus de Deo Uno et Trino (Treatise on the One and Triune God; 1929)
- J. Maréchal S.J., 2nd ed. of Le Point de Départ de la Métaphysique (The Starting Point of Metaphysics; 1929)
- R. Jolivet, La Notion de Substance (The Notion of Substance; 1930)
- Mons. J. Bittremieux, Doctrina Mariana Leonis XIII (The Marian doctrine of [Pope] Leo XIII 1930)
Manuscripts
Pirotta’s manuscripts are invaluable documents, as they attest to his background operational activities, and moreover to the keenness and responsibility with which he undertook any commitment, especially those of a philosophical nature. Most of the following texts are incomplete, as Pirotta had not as yet given them their final finishing. To some he surely intended to add on other material. Nonetheless, even as they stand, these documents can be taken as reliable attestations to Pirotta’s proficiency of labour, and intensity of thought.- De Persona seu Supposito (On the Person or the [Whole] Subject; 1921)
- Introductio in Totam Philosophiam seu Prælectiones Philosophicæ Aristotelico-Thomisticæ (An Introduction to the Whole of [Aristotelico-Thomistic] Philosophy or An Explanation of Aristotelico-Thomistic Philosophy; c.1921)
- Historia Philosophiæ (History of Philosophy; 1921-25)
- Logica Formalis (Formal Logic; 1922)
- Logica Materialis (Material Logic; 1922)
- De Anima Vegetativa (On the Vegitative Soul; 1922)
- De Anima Sensitiva (On the Sensitive Soul; 1922)
- De Anima Intellectiva (On the Intellectual Soul; 1922-23)
- De Potentia Appetitiva Intellectus (On the Appetitive Power of Intellect; 1923)
- Philosophia Entis ut Ens seu Metaphysica ([The] Philosophy on Being as Being or Metaphysics; 1923)
- Lezioni di Fisiologia Anatomica (Lectures on Anatomic Physiology; 1923)
- Philosophia Naturalis (Natural Philosophy; 1924)
- Apologetica (Apologetics; 1926)
- Commentaria (Commentaries; c.1935-40)
- De Idealismo Schellinghii (On Schelling’s Idealism; c.1935-40)
- Hegelii Impugnatio (Hegel Contested; c.1935-40)
- De Solipsismo (On SolipsismSolipsismSolipsism is the philosophical idea that only one's own mind is sure to exist. The term comes from Latin solus and ipse . Solipsism as an epistemological position holds that knowledge of anything outside one's own mind is unsure. The external world and other minds cannot be known, and might not...
; c.1935-40) - De Problemate Criteriologico (On Criteriological Problems; c.1935-40)
- Lectures on Bio-Physiological Science (1940)
- Notæ circa Libertatis Naturam (Notes about the Nature of Freedom; undated)
- De Natura Ideæ (On the Nature of Ideas; undated)
- De Cognitione Singularis Materialis (On the Perception of Individual Matter; undated)
- Ricetti (Recipes; undated)
- Modern and Classical Latin Grammar (c.1946-56)
- ‘The Melita English Grammer Book’ (c.1949/50)
Philosophical Notes
The following list of notes are working annotations prepared by Pirotta for various publications, academic talks, or lectures, over an extended period of time. All of them are undated. Some of them had been grouped by Pirotta under the title ‘Studia Philosophica’ (Philosophical Studies). Their philosophical interest is not to be undervalued. While some of the documents hereunder are full written drafts, others are just elaborate schemes of branches of Aristotelico-Thomistic philosophy.- Notulæ in Tractationem “De Fide” (Annotations on Aquinas’ Tract ‘On Faith’; undated)
- Notæ quæ “Naturam Divinam” respiciunt (Notes on the knowability of the ‘Divine Nature’; undated)
- Quæstiones Diversæ circa naturam metaphysicam Gratiæ et aliarum entium Ordinis Supernaturalis (Diverse enquiries about the metaphysical nature of Grace and other [enquiries] about the supernatural order of things; undated)
- De Dualismo Transcendentali in philosophia S. Thomæ (On Tanscendental Dualism in the philosophy of St. Thomas [Aquinas];undated)
- De Interpretatione Opusculi S. Thomæ “De Ente et Essentia” (On the interpretation on St. Thomas [Aqinas’] tract ‘On Being and Essence’; undated)
- De Intuitione (On intuition; undated)
- De Abstractione (On abstraction; undated)
- De Cognitione Entis (On the understanding of being; undated)
- Quædam certa præsupponenda ad probl. criticum (Research concering some beliefs about the criteriological problem; undated)
- De Veritate Formali (On formal truth; undated)
- Introductio ad Art. II de statibus mentis circa Veritatem (Introduction on Article II about the mental state in relation to truth; undated)
- De Positione Problematis Criticæ Fundamentalis (On the state of the enquiry concering fundamental criteriology; undated)
- De Existentialismo (On existentialismExistentialismExistentialism is a term applied to a school of 19th- and 20th-century philosophers who, despite profound doctrinal differences, shared the belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject—not merely the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual...
; undated) - Bellum ([On] war; undated)
- Introductio Philosophiæ Moralis seu Ethicæ (Introduction to moral philosophy or ethics; undated)
- Explicationes Diversarum Notionum Metaphysicarum (Various clarifications on the notion of metaphysics; undated)
- Quæstio “De Subiecto Metaphyicæ” (Enquiry on the subject of metaphysics; undated)
- Quæstiunculæ Philosophicæ (Minor philosophical enquiries; undated)
- De Obiecto seu Subiecto adæquato Metaphysicæ (On the acceptable object or subject of metaphysics; undated)
- Circa ipsius Esse naturam: Quæstiones Selectæ (About the same being of nature: Selected enquiries; undated)
- De Æternitate Mundi secundum opera S. Thomæ (On the world’s eternity according to the teaching of St. Thomas [Aquinas]; undated)
- Logica Formalis (Formal Logic; undated)
- De Logica euisque divisione – De Semplice Apprehensione (On Logic and on its division – On Simple Apprehension; undated)
- De Definitione Philosophiæ eiusque Causis (On the Definition of Philosophy and of Causes; undated)
- De Divisione Philosophiæ (On the Division of Philosophy; undated)
- Schemata Logicæ (Schemes [concerning] Logic; undated)
- Logica materialis – Philosophia Naturalis (Material Logic – Natural Philosophy; undated)
- Schemata Philosophia Naturalis (Schemes for Natural Philosophy; undated)
- De Genetismo et distintione Viventium (On Genetics and the distinction of Life; undated)
- De Objecto Psychologiæ – De Existentia Animæ – De Essentia Vitæ (On the Object of Psychology – On the existence of the Soul – On the Essence of Life; undated)
- De Cognitione Animæ (On the Perception of the Soul; undated)
- Vita secundum Conceptum Philosophicum (Life according to the Philosophical Concept; undated)
- Storia di Filosofia dell’Epoca Pagana (History of Philosophy in the Pagan Era; undated)
- Schemata Kanti (Schemes [concerning] KantKANTKANT is a computer algebra system for mathematicians interested in algebraic number theory, performing sophisticated computations in algebraic number fields, in global function fields, and in local fields. KASH is the associated command line interface...
; undated) - De Obiecto Intellectus (On the Object of the Intellect; undated)
- De distinctione potentiarum ab essentia Animæ (On the distinction between potency and essence in the Soul; undated)
- (Schemata) De Infinito ([Schemes] On the Infinite; undated)
- (Schemata) De Moto et Locus et al. ([Schemes] On Motion and Space and others; undated)
- (Schemata) Difficultates contra Veracitatem Sensuum Externorum ([Schemes] [concerning] Difficulties against the Truth of Exterior Senses; undated)
- (Schemata) Genesis Psychologica actus intellectus ([Schemes] [concerning] The Psychological Origin of the intellectual act; undated)
Academic Talks
The following written texts are full transcripts of talks read by Pirotta on various occasions at the several academic institutes, both in Malta and in ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, that he was part of. None of them have ever been published.
- Circulus Philosophicus – Realismus Aristotelico-Thomisticus (Philosophical Circle – Aristotelian-Thomistic Realism; probably at ViterboViterboSee also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
, ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
; 1922) - Circulus Philosophicus – Abiogenesis physice (Philosophical Circle – Aristotelian-Thomistic Realism; probably at ViterboViterboSee also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
, ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
; 1922) - De Anima Vegetativa (On Vegetative Life; undated)
- Oratio Inauguralis Anni Scholastici 1927-28 – “De Methodologia Scientifico-Theologica” (Inaugural Talk [for the] Scholastic Year 1927-28 – On the Scientific-Theological Method; Rabat, MaltaRabat, MaltaRabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
; 1927) - Discorso pronunziato nella accademia celebrata in onore del Dottor Aug. S. Tommaso d’Aq. (Talk read during the academic soirée kept in honour of the Eminent Doctor St. Thomas Aquinas; Rabat, MaltaRabat, MaltaRabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
; 1929) - Parole d’Introduzione fatte nell’Accademia festeggiata per la prima volta nel Collegio di Barra in onore di S. Tommaso (Introductory talk at the Academic Soirée kept for the first time at the College at Barra in honour of St. Thomas [Aquinas]; Barra (Naples)Barra (Naples)Barra is an eastern suburb of Naples, southern Italy with a population of some 40,000 inhabitants Barra occupies the easternmost section of the Naples comunes territory, ranging from the sea to the Vesuvio's slopes, bounding with Poggioreale.The area has suffered much the same fate of urban decay...
, ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
; 1932) - Introduzione inaugurale per l’anno scolastico 1936-1937 (Inaugural introduction for the scholastic year 1936-37; Rabat, MaltaRabat, MaltaRabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
; 1936) - Discorsetto inaugurale per la Festa Accademica di S. Tommaso d’Aquino (Inaugural talk for the Academic Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas; Rabat, MaltaRabat, MaltaRabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
; 1936) - Parole di Saluto per l’Accademia di S. Tommaso (Welcome talk at the Academic Soirée of St. Thomas [Aquinas]; Rabat, MaltaRabat, MaltaRabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
; 1937) - Parole Introduttive alla Festa Accadmica – “S. Tom. D’Aquino” (Introductory talk at the Academic Soirée – St. Thomas Aquinas; Rabat, MaltaRabat, MaltaRabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
; 1938)
Sermons
The following texts are the extant sermons that Pirotta read during his pastoral work. All of them have been probably delivered in Malta, even the Italian ones. Roughly speaking, the Italian orations would have been read to diocesan priests or members of religious orders, and the Maltese ones to the general faithful. Though most of them do not contain any philosophical interest, some of them do bear witness to Pirotta’s philosophical type of mind, even when treating spiritual or religious matters.In Italian
Pirotta’s extant sermons in Italian are all collected at the DominicanDominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
archives at Rabat, Malta
Rabat, Malta
Rabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
. Most of the titles are Pirotta’s own.
- Domenica Ia d’Avvento – Conoscere Gesù Christo (1st Sunday of Advent – Knowing Jesus Christ; 1937)
- Domenica 2a d’Avvento – Amare Gesù Christo (2nd Senday of Advent – Loving Jesus Christ; 1937)
- Domenica 3a d’Avvento – Seguire ed imitare Gesù Christo (3rd Sunday of Advent – Following and imitating Jesus Christ; 1937)
- Domenica 4a d’Avvento – Preparare a ricevere degnamente Gesù Christo (4th Sunday of Advent – Preparing to receive worthily Jesus Christ; 1937)
- Giorno Io, Predica Ia – Il valore dell’anima umana (1st Day, 1st Oration – The value of the human soul; undated)
- Giorno IIo, Predica IIa – Il peccato mortale (2nd Day, 2nd Oration – Mortal sin; undated)
- Giorno IIIa, Predica IIIa – L’iniettatore micidiale del male: Il mondo (3rd Day, 3rd Oration – The deadly originator of evil: The world; undated)
- Giorno IVo, Predica IVa – Il formaco del peccato: La confessione (4th Day, 4th Oration – The remedy of sin: Confession; undated)
- Giorno Vo, Predica Va – Pratica ed esercizio delle opere buone (5th Day, 5th Oration – The use and exercise of good works; undated)
- Giorno VIo, Predica VIa – I doveri professionali del proprio stato (6th Day, 6th Oration – The professional duties of one’s state; undated)
- Giorno VIIo, Predia VIIa – L’apostolato laico (7th Day, 7th Oration – Lay apostolate; undated)
- Panegirico di San Tommaso (Laudatory discourse [in honour] of St. Thomas [Aquinas]; undated)
- Panegirico di San Publio Vescovo e Martire (Laudatory discourse [in honour] of St. Publius BishopBishopA bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
and MartyrMartyrA martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
; FlorianaFlorianaFloriana is a town in Malta, just outside the capital city Valletta. Floriana is the birthplace of many famous Maltese, amongst which the composer of the national anthem, 'L-Innu Malti', Robert Samut; former Bishop of Malta Dom Mauro Caruana, the poet Oliver Friggieri, and Swedish Idol winner...
, MaltaMaltaMalta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
; 23rd April 1939) - Panegirico della Conversione di San Paolo Appostolo (Laudatory discourse [in honour] of St. Paul the Apostle; Mdina Cathedral, Malta; 25th January 1940)
- Predica di Maria SS. Desolata (Oration on the Blessed Mary of Sorrows; VallettaVallettaValletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's...
, Onorati; Good Friday, 15th April 1949) - Discorso per l’Ultimo Giorno dell’Anno (Talk on New Year’s Eve; 1938)
- Conferenze rinnovazione dell Profesione Religiosa (Talks [on the occasion of the] renewal of Religious Vows; undated)
- Panegirico del S. Patriarca Domenico (Laudatory discourse [in honour] of the Patriarch St. Dominic; Porto Salvo, Valletta, Malta; 4th August 1939)
- San Tommaso d’Aquino (St. Thomas AquinasThomas AquinasThomas Aquinas, O.P. , also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, known as Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis, or Doctor Universalis...
; La Quercia, ViterboViterboSee also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
, ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
; 7th May 1924) - Sermoni Suore Domenicane ([Seven] Sermons to DominicanDominican OrderThe Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
Nuns; undated)
In Maltese
Pirotta’s extant sermons in Maltese are collected in separate groups of manuscripts (as indicated). They are all kept at the DominicanDominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
archives at Rabat, Malta
Rabat, Malta
Rabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
. The titles are generally Pirotta’s own.
- Relazioni fuk iz-Zwieg “Mixtæ Religionis” (Report on mixed marriages; 1913?) – Presented at the Eucharistic Congress of the dioceseDioceseA diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of MaltaMaltaMalta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
at FlorianaFlorianaFloriana is a town in Malta, just outside the capital city Valletta. Floriana is the birthplace of many famous Maltese, amongst which the composer of the national anthem, 'L-Innu Malti', Robert Samut; former Bishop of Malta Dom Mauro Caruana, the poet Oliver Friggieri, and Swedish Idol winner...
and SliemaSliemaTas-Sliema is a city located on the northeast coast of Malta. It is a centre for shopping, restaurants and café life. Tas-Sliema is also a major commercial and residential area and houses several of Malta's most modern hotels. Tas-Sliema, which means 'peace, comfort', was once a quiet fishing...
. - Panegirico di Maria Assunta in Cielo (Laudatory discourse [in honour] of the Assumption of [the Blessed] Mary in Heaven; undated)
- Panegierku ta San Filep d’Agira (Laudatory discourse [in honour] of St. Philip of Hegira; undated)
- Panegierku ta Maria Bambina (Laudatory discourse [in honour] of the Birth of [the Blessed] Mary; undated)
- Panegierku Madonna tad Duttrina (Laudatory discourse [in honour] of Our Lady of Good Teaching; undated)
- Panegierku tal Kalb Imkaddsa ta’ Gesù (Laudatory discourse [in honour] of the Blessed Heart of Jesus; undated)
- Panegirico del SS.mo Nome di Gesù – L’eccellenza e le virtù del SS. Nome (Laudatory discourse [in honour] of the Most Holy Name of Jesus – The distinction and virtues of the Most Holy Name [of Jesus]; undated)
- Discorsetto nel Io Mistero Doloroso (Short talk on the 1st Mystery of Sorrow [of the rosaryRosaryThe rosary or "garland of roses" is a traditional Catholic devotion. The term denotes the prayer beads used to count the series of prayers that make up the rosary...
]; undated) - Discorso nel IIIo e IVo Mistero Doloroso (Talk on the 3rd and 4th Mysteries of Sorrow [of the rosaryRosaryThe rosary or "garland of roses" is a traditional Catholic devotion. The term denotes the prayer beads used to count the series of prayers that make up the rosary...
]; undated) - Fervorini f’Jum il Milied (Talk for Christmas Day; 1946?)
- Fervorini maghmul fl’Ewwel Quddiesa tal Milied (Talk read at the First Mass of Christmas Day; 1946)
- Diskorso Antiblasfemo (Talk against blasphemy; undated)
- Diskorsetto Antiblasfemo (Short talk against blasphemy; undated)
- Vangelo – Domenica IV Post Oct. Paschæ (Gospel – 4th Sunday after Easter; 1938)
- Vangelo – VIII Domenica P. O. Pent. (Gospel – 8th Sunday after Pentecost; 1938?)
- Vangelo – IX Domenica dopo Oct. Pent. (Gospel – 9th Sunday after Pentecost; 1938?)
- Vangelo – Domenica XXI P. O. P. (Gospel – 21st Sunday after Pentecost 1938?)
- Fervorino Eucharistico in occasione della festa di San Luigi Gonzaga (Eucharistic talk on the occasion of the feast of St. Louis Gonzaga; undated)
- Siegha ta Adorazzjoni (One hour adoration; undated)
- Panigierku tal Madonna tar Ruzarju (Laudatory discourse [in honour] of Our Lady of the RosaryRosaryThe rosary or "garland of roses" is a traditional Catholic devotion. The term denotes the prayer beads used to count the series of prayers that make up the rosary...
; undated) - Panigierku ta San Duminku (Laudatory discourse [in honour] of St. Dominic; undated)
- Priedki fuq il Patrijarka San Duminku – San Domenico e il suo Ordine (Orations on the Patriarch St. Dominic – St. Dominic and his Order; undated)
- Diskors ghall Ewwel Quddiesa Solenni ta’ Sacerdot gdid (Talk for the First Solemn Mass of a new PriestPriestA priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
; undated) - Prietca ta tielet misteru Glorioso (Oration on the 3rd Glorious mystery [of the rosaryRosaryThe rosary or "garland of roses" is a traditional Catholic devotion. The term denotes the prayer beads used to count the series of prayers that make up the rosary...
]; 1916) - Prietca 4o – 5o Glorioso (Oration [on the] 4th [and] 5th Glorious [mystery [of the rosaryRosaryThe rosary or "garland of roses" is a traditional Catholic devotion. The term denotes the prayer beads used to count the series of prayers that make up the rosary...
]; 1916?) - Ferrvorino Eucaristico (Eucharistic talk; undated)
- Irtir Spirituali: Primo Giorno – Eccellenza e prezzo dell’anima (Spiritual retreat: 1st Day – The distinction and worth of the soul; undated)
- Irtir Spirituali: Secondo Giorno – Dovere dell’anima verso Dio (Spiritual retreat: 2nd Day – The duties of the soul towards God; undated)
- Irtir Spirituali: Terzo Giorno – L’amore del prossimo (Spiritual retreat: 3rd Day – Love of neighbour; undated)
- Irtir Spirituali: Quarto Giorno (Spiritual retreat: 4th day; undated)
- Irtir Spirituali: Quinto Giorno (Spiritual retreat: 5th Day; undated)
- Irtir Spirituali: Sesto Giorno – Il sacrificio S. Messa (Spiritual retreat: 6th Day – The sacrifice of the Mass; undated)
- Irtir Spirituali: Ottavo ed Ultimo – La perseveranza Cristiana (Spiritual retreat: 8th and last – Christian perseverance; undated)
- Barka tas Salib fl ahhar tal Ezercizzi jew tal Irtir Spirituali (Blessing at the end of the [spiritual] Exercises or Spiritual Retreat; undated)
- Scheme di Conferenze Della Perfezione Religiosa o del Profitto Spirituale (Schemes for talks on the Fulfilment of Religious [life] or on Spiritual Rewards; undated)
- Skema ta Ezercizzi Spirituali (Scheme of Spiritual Exercises; undated)
- Diskors fuq is Sagrament tal Krar (Talk on the Sacrament of Confession; undated)
- Elogiu Funebri al meut tal Papa Piu XI (Talk for the memorial service of Pope Pius XIPope Pius XIPope Pius XI , born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, was Pope from 6 February 1922, and sovereign of Vatican City from its creation as an independent state on 11 February 1929 until his death on 10 February 1939...
; 1939)
Appreciation
Pirotta was the last of major philosophers within the school of ScholasticismScholasticism
Scholasticism is a method of critical thought which dominated teaching by the academics of medieval universities in Europe from about 1100–1500, and a program of employing that method in articulating and defending orthodoxy in an increasingly pluralistic context...
. With him, an era of Scholastics, extending back to the latter part of the 16th century, starting with John Matthew Rispoli
John Matthew Rispoli
John Matthew Rispoli was a major Maltese philosopher of great erudition. He was held in high esteem by the Grand Masters of the Knights Hospitaller Order, the Bishops of Malta, the Viceroys of Sicily, cardinals, bishops, inquisitors, and the common people...
, came to an end. Today, as philosophy took new shapes and adopted different language-forms, Pirotta might appear almost incomprehensible in his world-view and philosophical method. This is further intensified his consistent use of Latin, a language very few still remember how to use or read.
Though a great speculative thinker, it is somewhat difficult to gauge Pirotta’s originality. Surely his lack of concrete commitment with things social and political, as any old-time, first division scholastic would be, today makes him suspect of a certain lack of concern for world affairs as for the fate of humans. However, the scholastics had another way of understanding what philosophical service to humankind should be. Arguably, they sought to enlighten the highest (or most profound) aspects of reason, there where the quality of life might be improved and perfected.
Much work is still needed to continue discovering the wealth which philosophers of the calibre of Pirotta possessed.
Sources
- Mark Montebello, Il-Ktieb tal-Filosofija f’Malta (A Source Book of Philosophy in Malta), PIN Publications, Malta, 2001.
- Mark Montebello, Angelo Pirotta: A Maltese philosopher of the first water, Maltese Dominican Province, Malta, 2006.