The Hildebrand Project, which is supported by Pope Benedict XVI, will host a conference in Rome on May 27-29, 2010 exploring the newly translated work of Christian philosopher Dietrich von Hildebrand on how to defend human dignity through love.
Contact: Anthony Gualandri, Hildebrand Legacy Project, 703-314-3191, press@hildebrandlegacy.org
ROME, Italy, April 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Dietrich von Hildebrand Legacy Project is proud to collaborate with the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in hosting a major international conference in Rome dedicated to the question, "What is love?"
The conference will bring together philosophers, theologians, psychologists, physicians, scientists, and artists to unpack the original insights of Dietrich von Hildebrand's most important philosophical work, The Nature of Love, translated for the first time in English by the Hildebrand Project.
Lauded both by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, Dietrich von Hildebrand (1889-1977) was a major Christian philosopher, religious writer, and heroic intellectual opponent of Hitler and Nazism. He was a friend of Pope Pius XII, who referred to him as a "twentieth century doctor of the Church."
The Hildebrand Project was founded in 2004 by John Henry Crosby in collaboration with Hildebrand's widow, Alice von Hildebrand, and several students and friends of Hildebrand. The Project raises awareness of Hildebrand's legacy by translating and publishing his writings and by organizing major events to disseminate his ideas.
Pope Benedict XVI served as Honorary Member of the Project until his elevation to the papacy in 2005. Crosby remarked, "The Project would not exist today were it not for the generous support of Pope Benedict XVI," said Crosby. "The Holy Father's many acts of friendship, including a sizeable grant from the Papal Foundation and a wonderful letter of support, have allowed us to gain a footing on the world stage."
Commenting on the purpose of the conference, Crosby said, "Hildebrand defined his heroic battle against Nazism as the 'struggle for the person'. While the threat of Nazism is gone today, human dignity is as endangered as ever before. We want to contribute to the perennial task of clarifying and defending human dignity, and we want to do so through the lens of love."
Crosby continued, "We are organizing the conference on the assumption that one cannot make sense of the human person apart from his or her capacity for loving and being loved. Love is the supreme human concern, and we believe, with Hildebrand, that it is impossible to understand the nature of man without understanding the nature or love. But our approach is not only philosophically motivated. There is also a human dimension, which is that we think that a conversation about love is also the most intriguing way of inviting a larger public to participate in our conference."
Keynote speakers include a roster of some of the most prominent living philosophers and theologians, notably Robert Spaemann, the well-known German philosopher, and John Zizioulas, the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Pergamon and eminent theologian. The full list includes Roberta Green Ahmanson, Joseph Bottum, Rocco Buttiglione, John F. Crosby, Hanna-Barbara Gerl-Falkovitz, Alice von Hildebrand, Charles Morerod OP, Michael Novak, Josef Seifert, and Michael Waldstein.
In addition to invited keynote speakers, the conference will also feature as many as thirty submitted papers, and also five winners of the international graduate student essay contest, who will come from around the world to present their papers. Conference attendees will come from around the world.
The conference is being underwritten by two US-based foundations, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) and the Our Sunday Visitor Institute (Huntington, Indiana). Of special note, the conference has received the Patronage of the Pontifical Council for Culture. "This patronage is for us a great honor," said Crosby. "We hope it marks the beginning of an important collaboration."
Fifteen institutions and foundations have signed on as cosponsors. They include the distinguished Center for Ethics and Culture at Notre Dame University (Indiana), the Acton Institute (Michigan), and the International Theological Institute (Vienna). Crosby again, "These groups have joined us because they believe their efforts can be enhanced by drawing from the rich legacy of Dietrich von Hildebrand."
The conference will be broadcast live via their website www.hildebrandlegacy.org/rome.
Conference Details:
Pontifical University of the Holy Cross School of Philosophy
Piazza di Sant'Apollinare, 49
00186 Roma, Italy
May 27-29, 2010
To register for the conference, visit The Dietrich von Hildebrand Legacy Project's website at www.hildebrandlegacy.org/rome, or email conferences@hildebrandlegacy.org
