Metafísica y Persona is an international academic journal, co-edited by the Universidad de Málaga (UMA, Spain) and the Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP, Mexico), whose main objective is to communicate and discuss the last results regarding philosophical research by publishing previously unpublished scientific articles, critical notes, and recensions. It aims to be a meeting and dissemination place for studies that delve into the relationships between philosophy, knowledge and life, and that, due to their quality, originality and rigor, represent a clear advance in knowledge and a significant contribution to the scientific field of their covered subjects.
Universidad de Málaga - UPAEP Universidad
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Feser, Edward. All One in Christ. A Catholic Critique of Racism and Critical Race Theory. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2022, 163 pp.
Copyright (c) 2026 Metafísica y Persona https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
The Passion and the Habit of Nemesis in the Work of Thomas Aquinas
Nemesis is the sadness caused by the undeserved prosperity of others. Unlike other passions and virtues, Thomas Aquinas did not dedicate a singular treatment to Nemesis in his work; rather, he mentions it occasionally or in connection with other themes. The objective of our work is to identify all these references and give them a unified meaning within Thomistic thought, particularly distinguishing the use of Nemesis as a passion and as a habit (or potential virtue of distributive justice).
Intensive politics: Thinking between boundaries as a fundamental political problem through the political philosophy of Hannah Arendt
Through the distinction between “intensive politics” and “extensive politics”, this work proposes an approach to Hannah Arendt’s political philosophy. Specifically, it argues that, in the context of politics, what is decisive is the very differentiation of the opposites in question, not their antagonism nor a simple “unproblematic” reconciliation. Furthermore, the relevance of this tension allows us to identify some inadequate interpretations that have been made of Hannah Arendt’s work by confusing, for example, the very potential of the opposites in question with antagonism or rigid dichotomies.
Zubiri develops a noology or theory of sentient intelligence, according to which intellection is made up of three moments that make up a single structure: primordial apprehension of reality, sentient logos and sentient reason. Given that the affirmation is the second of the two moments that structure the logos, the objective of this work is to unfold the understanding of what in this noology is understood by affirmation or affirmative intention, confronting it with the logical versions in use. What results is that empirical affirmation has its condition of possibility in the noergic act of affirmative intention, the essential moment of sentient logos.
Why all human beings are persons. In response to Elisa Aaltola
In the current bioethical debate on the status of the person, the equivalence theory, according to which all human beings would be considered persons, is rejected. It is argued that only some human beings, those who possess specific qualities—usually higher cognitive capacities—are de facto persons. This is the theory defended by the Finnish thinker Elisa Aaltola, who considers that some higher animals are also persons. In this paper, we criticize Aaltola's thesis that all human beings are persons. To do so, we will respond to the three arguments presented by Aaltola: the capacity argument, the humanist argument or critique of speciesism, and the special relations argument. We will conclude that the defense of the equivalence thesis, that is, that all human beings are persons, is based on the dignity of persons.
A Language Without Us: Reality and Literary Theory
Philosophy often turns to other disciplines to verify its own claims. For example, the new realism, or speculative realism, has paid attention to literary theory, despite the latter often seeming to declare the impossibility of knowing texts and objects. This article reviews the foundations of literary theory that could establish a relationship between literary theory and new realism. To this end, it considers the work of the theorist and critic Paul de Man, who developed a materialist approach to literary experience.
The meaning of “we” from ethical anthropological vision of Wojtyla for a personalist social philosophy
Karol Wojtyla's interest in the social dimension can be traced throughout his work, if we take a look at the meaning of 'we' and what will be called in this work the propaedeutics of this notion that appear particularly in his ethical-anthropological texts, particularly Love and Responsibility, Person and Action, Person: Subject and community, Participation or alienation? It seeks to dimension the importance that the 'we' can have for the formulation of a personalist social philosophy, tending to frame analyses and proposals that the complex contemporary social realities require beyond individualistic or collectivist positions.
Jacobo, B.; Hernádez, M.; Brogna, P.; Cruz, R. y Ramírez, T. Heterotopías. Inclusión: prácticas y perspectivas emergentes. México: UNAM, 2014, 310 pp.
Evaluation of critical thinking in higher education students in the High Mountains
Critical thinking has acquired special relevance in current educational systems due to its comprehensive training goals. In Mexico, the Universidad Veracruzana has designed a critical thinking curriculum since 1999; However, in 2016 research showed that only 3.9% of students who took a critical thinking test received a passing grade. The above revealed a problem related to the lack of a natural profile in the teaching staff. That is, a teaching profile related to professional training in a specific discipline or area. Therefore, a model was proposed to study the appropriation of critical thinking. Thus, the objective of this work is to recover that model for the application of a test to a group of undergraduate students (N=295) at the same university. Finally, the results indicate that a natural profile in teachers has a favorable impact on the appropriation of critical thinking.
Copyright (c) 2025 Metafísica y Persona https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and political praxis: the construction of knowledge in the social sciences and development studies as a synthesis
This manuscript aims to redefine the notion of critical thinking, considering its functions, contributions, scope and limitations in the construction of scientific and humanistic knowledge, as well as in the university/society/development model relationship. As it is not a neutral notion and praxis but one influenced by ethical and ideological positions, critical thinking is closely related to political praxis in its broadest sense, which refers to the construction and questioning of power and established knowledge. Hence its link with the development /underdevelopment dialectic and the study of the specificities of peripheral societies. Therefore, the possibilities of thinking with one’s own head from Latin America are explored on the basis of the exercise of creative imagination and the vindication of critical thought. Moreover, it is argued that in this effort it is also relevant to subvert epistemologically neo-positivism -and its obsession with quantitativism-, post-modern delirium -and its cancellation of the future-, technocratic rationality -and its market monotheism- and disciplinary autism.
Critical and creative thinking and time diagrams to understand historicity
In this article we apply Ariel Campirán’s model of critical and creative thinking skills to the understanding of historicity. Our objective is to develop a tool based on a diagram that allows us to approach the understanding and study of history. We argue that the methodology proposed by Campirán can be applied to time diagrams that have been developed in the field of phenomenology and that, with some modifications, can be used for the study and teaching of history.
Natural, artificial, and emerging gaps: Taxonomy, variables, epistemology, and axiology for the “digital gaps”
The term “gap” describes natural, social, and hybrid phenomena in epistemic and deontic contexts. It acquires connotations depending on the accompanying adjective and the context in which it is applied. It even prescribes social phenomena whose bias is revealed through critique. Its unreflective use generates semantic, axiological, and epistemic biases, exhibiting a fragmented epistemic vision (with both positive and negative connotations, and “deontic” justifications). We propose a precise and clear use of the term “gap” to better employ it in various contexts. The “digital gap” is examined as an emergent case that displays common characteristics of many typical “gaps.” We outline 1) Concepts of the term “gap” for its identification and hierarchical classification according to types/cases. 2) The usefulness of the systemic model for understanding the term “gap.” 3) A hybrid concept of intelligence for emergent “gaps,” linked to critical thinking and metacognitive processes. 4) Dimensional factors that reduce and/or widen “gaps.” We include an Appendix to delve deeper into the neutral definition of the term, its etymology, history, and measurement scales.
Campirán, A. 2025. Habilidades de pensamiento crítico y creativo. Toma de decisiones y solución de problemas. Lecturas y ejercicios para el nivel universitario. Modelo COL. México: Lambda Editorial
Critical Thinking, Artificial Intelligence, and Budget
This note extends Michael Sandel’s argument about genetic enhancements to the realm of critical thinking in the context of artificial intelligence. The conclusion of this extension tells us, broadly speaking, that if critical thinking is linked to artificial intelligence literacy, and the latter depends on budgetary conditions, then critical thinking may contradict the promotion of democratic citizenship.
Casales, R. 2025. Signos de los tiempos. Ensayos críticos. Puebla: UPAEP, 155 pp.
Cognitive-digital gaps: Strategic use of analytical-critical thinking in Generative Artificial Intelligence
Convenient actions to address certain relevant gaps in the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) are a current challenge in the academic environments. Improving the cognitive-digital user level of such GAI, from basic to expert level, implies, from our perspective, improving the development of analytical and critical thinking skills, involved in the so-called “digital gap”. However, this “digital gap” theoretically involves psychobiological gaps [cognitive, psychoaffective-emotional and nutritional], it is advisable to consider them on a par with other gaps in the environment which make it difficult to attend it in an isolated way (economic, territorial digital access). We propose a classification of gaps whose categories allow relating relevant problems to the best use of the GAI in the academic field; a classification of the most common products that university students must show with or without the help of the GAI. Finally, we propose analytical/critical thinking strategies that improve the management of the necessary input/output in the GAI
Introductory analysis of Martin Heidegger´s Letter on Humanism
The present work aims to touch lightly the central points of Heidegger's philosophy, aiming, in particular, at the programmatic core of the Letter on Humanism. Initially, conjectural similarities are identified between the Platonic archetype of Good and Heidegger's conception of the truth of being. Next, an inquiry into the metaphysical matrix of language in the author's thought begins. In pursuit of this commitment, an investigation is developed that counts on the assistance of the insights of several thinkers, who played a determining role in the theoretical construction of this study. In accordance with the phenomenological ontology that guides the entire doctrinal corpus of the German philosopher, the study finds its end in the exploration of the truly human essence of homo humanus, with the hypothesis being advocated that its plenitude is consumable through the dialogical relationship between the being, thought and language.
Divinisation and Union in Love in Hadewijch of Antwerp Bridal Mysticism
This article explores Hadewijch of Antwerp's understanding of divinisation and union in love, highlighting its connection to the Western medieval tradition while emphasising her unique contributions. While not explicitly using the term "divinisation," Hadewijch's ecstatic visions and yearning for the Beloved reveal a profound spiritual journey towards union with God. Central to her theology and metaphysics is the concept of Minne (Love), a complex and transformative force encompassing longing, communion, and even suffering. Through the interplay of ghebruken (divine union) and ghebreken(longing and absence), Hadewijch charts a path of spiritual growth culminating in Bridal Mysticism. This union involves annihilation, a symbolic dissolution of the self in divine love, leading to a deeper communion with God. Hadewijch's understanding of God emphasises the Trinity and the Incarnation, ultimately highlighting a relational knowledge of God through love. Her work, therefore, offers a unique perspective on divinisation and union, rooted in the transformative power of love and the yearning for divine communion and a rich ontological understanding of human relatedness.
Gress, Carrie. The End of Woman. How Smashing the Patriarchy has Destroyed Us. Washington D.C.: Regnery, 2023, 256 pp.
Reconstruction of memory in the novels Space Invaders and The Twilight Zone by Nona Fernández
The purpose of this work is to analyze the recurring themes in the novels Space Invaders (2013) and La dimension desconocida/ The Twilight Zone (2016) by the Chilean author Nona Fernández (1971) such as: the children’s’ voices, the recalling of memory amongst generations, the household, the use of games to narrate, the desire to escape and the testimony, with the purpose of showing how these themes build the autofiction in the author’s discourse and the reconstruction of individual memories as a matter if resistance towards the official memory after the dictatorship in Chile. Furthermore, these memories become representations of the collective memory in the literature of the son’s generation that allows to learn about contemporary Chile. Keywords: Nona Fernández, Chilean literature, dictatorship, memory, autofiction
The cultural object in Caín, el Hombre, Misterio trágico (Cain, the Man, Tragic Mystery) by Emma Godoy
The purpose of this paper is to unravel some considerations of culture that the Mexican writer and philosopher Emma Godoy (1918-1989) develops in her work Caín, el Hombre, Misterio Trágico (Cain, the Man, Tragic Mystery). In particular, the case of the wandering of Cain, the protagonist, who represents modern culture submerged in production and consumption, and whose descendants are the arts, science, technology, illness, armies and economy, understood as cultural objects, derived from the relationship of the person with the World, will be addressed. The concept of cultural object is based on human action, as a creation resulting from Reason, and although it can bring together the best virtues, when reduced to mere utilitarian things, they bring consequences that negatively impact their full realization. Truth, Beauty and Good are the three pillars that the author reveals in her philosophical work, and for this reason they are proposed as a way for humanity not to get lost in the culture that separates soul and body, without ulterior purposes, to meet God and his truth again.
The departures of the Sacred Original of the Virgin of Guadalupe from the vicinity of Tepeyac
This article provides a historical account of the times when the image of Santa María de Guadalupe had to be removed from the vicinity of Tepeyac. In the context of the second removal of the Sacred Original, it narrates the creation of the image that replaced the Ayate of San Juan Diego on the main altar of the Colegiata between 1926 and 1929, as well as the final fate of this "Twin".
Two keys to understand the novelty of Judaism and it's impact on the West
If we compare Judaism with other religions with which it has coexisted since its origins, we can appreciate some central similarities. These similarities, however, do not fully explain the novelty of Judaism and its influence on the construction of the West. In this article, I intend to show this novelty in light of two fundamental aspects of Judaism: on the one hand, the originality of its ethical monotheism; on the other, the intervention of God in the history of its people, where I will highlight various aspects that constitute a central part of this second aspect.
The map of science according to Thomas Aquinas
Each commentary on the works of Aristotle by Thomas Aquinas, in addition to containing the classic exposition of the themes and the hermeneutics of his aporias, also contains an ordering of the scientific knowledge treated in that text (with its own criteria of hierarchy, subordination, classification and interrelation). If all these epistemological texts were brought together, we would obtain a kind of cartography or schematization of both the knowledge and the books that make up the corpus aristotelicum. This paper seeks to make such cartography explicit by diagramming the order and subdivision of the sciences in Aristotle from some key extracts of the preambles to the Commentaries of St. Thomas to the works of Aristotle.
Lombo, José Ángel, y Giménez Amaya, José Manuel. Antropología de la acción: La vida humana como unidad dinámica. Colección Astrolabio. Pamplona: EUNSA, 2024, 223 pp.
Freedom and negativity: an analysis of self-consciousness in the Phenomenology of Spirit of Hegel
The present article offers an analysis of the search for freedom of consciousness as selfconsciousness in the Phenomenology of Spirit. In the first place, we will examine the failure of stoicism and skepticism as figures of the freedom of self- consciousness. Secondly, we will carefully analyze the double character of the unhappy consciousness and the reasons that prevent it from being taken as one. Finally, we will see why for Hegel negativity is the inner force of all activity that allows the consciousness to reach the point of view of the spirit and, in turn, the spirit to reconcile with itself and be free.
“Paradise lost in “La Gallina Degollada” (The Slaughtered Hen) and “El Potro Salvaje” (The Wild Colt) by Horacio Quiroga”
The works “La gallina degollada” (The Slaughtered Hen) and “El potro salvaje” (The Wild Colt) by Horacio Quiroga, characterized by being linear, simple, and narrated by an extradiegetic narrator, manage to awaken deep sensations in the reader thanks to the construction of the characters and description. Even though a first reading of both stories seems to show only differences in terms of genre, and anecdotes, they present a common topic: the “lost paradise”. In the first case, the loss of happiness, so difficult to acquire, is accompanied by horror, while in the second, the wasted youth of “El potro salvaje” (The Wild Colt) provokes nostalgia. Ultimately, it is the loss that unites these stories. In the following work, we will explore the biblical roots and the author’s management of this resource in the tales.
John Henry Newman as a pragmatic and romantic thinker
In this paper I investigate two little known influences on John Henry Newman's philosophical thought. On the one hand, Newman anticipates several intuitions of pragmatism, especially in the Peircian version of it. On the other hand, Newman can be considered, in some respects, as a Romantic thinker, especially because of his relationship with Coleridge and Wordsworth. Both influences help to understand Newman's understanding of philosophy as a way of life and of truth as an engaged and historical human activity.
In Morality and Metaphysics, Larmore outlines a metaphysical conception of normative reasons in general, and moral reasons in particular, that he defines as “platonistic”. In accordance with this conception, all reasons for thought and action would belong to an ontologically objective domain, insofar as their mode of existence would be, in Searle’s words, independent of any perceiver or mental state. The main objective of the present paper is to criticize this conception. To this end, it will be argued, on the one hand, that Larmore’s conception is totally inadequate to deal with a specific kind of normative reasons, namely agent-relative reasons; and, on the other, that even if it recognizes the reflective stance as an inseparable aspect of morality, it tends to underestimate what this means ontologically speaking. As will become apparent in a clear Strawsonian vein, morality’s normative force would rest to a great extent on some fundamental attitudes and dispositions we cannot do without as human beings.
Kantian morality in the face of the problem of economic poverty: An outline of the moral duty to help those most in need
The subject of this article is economic poverty, based on the moral thought of Immanuel Kant. For this purpose, elements of his pure a priori morality and his impure a priori morality or material ethics are theoretically analyzed, with the aim of qualifying the supposed Kantian formalism and demonstrating that the need of the most needy is not alien to the Kantian moral proposal. This approach provides new elements, which force us to rethink that the error of Kantian morality consists in a morality of duty for duty’s sake, a disembodied morality that, therefore, appears completely alien to our particularities. In this configuration, concepts such as dignity, duty of beneficence, duty of sympathy, moral creativity and material ethics make increasingly visible the need to investigate a Kantian morality that guides the problems that seriously afflict humanity.