ANTONI DOMÈNECH, THE AFFIRMATION OF THE REPUBLICAN-DEMOCRATIC TRADITION: EPISTEMOLOGY, HISTORY, ETHICS AND POLITICS

Abstract

This article is a propaedeutic presentation of Antoni Domènech academic work, recently passed away. As a tribute, it will review and reconstruct their main scientific and philosophical contributions through the common thread that unites them all: republicanism. First, a reflection on the normative nature of the philosophy of knowledge, connected with the need to impose methodological requirements on deliberation in moral philosophy. Second, a reflection on the classical Mediterranean world link between ethics and politics, and the importance of moral self-selection. It follows from here a critique of the modern political separation of politics and ethics. Third, a reflection on the importance of becoming aware of the political traditions in which we live and do philosophy. Through the concept of fraternity, Domènech reconstructed conceptually and politically the historical tradition of democratic republicanism, founded on material independence and reciprocity in the political freedom of citizens. Deep and original thinker, he was very appreciated for his singular ability to use analytical tools from different fields of knowledge for the articulation of fundamental historical-philosophical and philosophical-political problems of our time.