Philosophy in Malta
Philosophy in Malta refers to the philosophy of Maltese nationals or those of Maltese descent, whether living in
For the greater part of its history, in Malta philosophy was simply studied as part of a basic institutional programme which mainly prepared candidates to become
Though, from the mid-16th century onwards, in Malta philosophy was taught at various institutions of higher education, from the latter part of the 18th century onwards the main academic body which promoted philosophical activity and research was the University of Malta.[5] Today, mainly due to easier access to data sources and to enhanced communication networks, such philosophical inquiries and pursuits are more extensive in prevalence as in content.
Short history
Pre-Knights Period (pre-1530)
Before the advent of the
Hospitaller rule (1530–1798)
The
Though philosophy continued to be mainly viewed as the hand-maid of theology, some intellectuals had an interest in cautiously branching out along some pathways of their own. Though the philosophical contributions of these masters are fascinating in themselves,[15] prevalent control and restrictions on intellectual activity hardly ever left them room for originality and innovation.[16]
During this period intellectual circles were practically all part of the great movement of
During the 18th-century part of the period of the Knights Hospitaller, science and the scientific method began to make head-way over the trenches of the Scholastics.
Interregnum Period (1798–1813)
Towards the end of the period of the Hospitallers in Malta, ideas which had been explosive through the
British Colonial Period (1813–1964)
During this period, the higher schools resumed their business very much as was done during Hospitaller rule.
Post-Independence Period (since 1964)
By the time of Malta's independence Scholasticism had waned and slowly faded away.[25] Very few continued to uncritically adhere to its tenets, and these were restricted to small religious (particularly Catholic) circles.
Most of the other philosophers became somewhat more adventurous, exploring spheres which were to some extent inaccessible during the British (and much less the Hospitaller) period.[26] In terms of the development of doing philosophy in Malta, Peter Serracino Inglott stands out as all-important, especially from the late 1960s onwards.
Some other Maltese philosophers worked abroad. Though they retained their limited contact with Malta, they of course had a different frame of mind. Their influence on young Maltese philosophers was negligible.
Chair of Philosophy at the University of Malta
The following is the list of professors who held the Chair of Philosophy at the
1. Joseph Moncada 1771–73 2. Joseph Xerri 1773 Grand Master Francisco Ximénez de Tejada,
brought the activities of the university to a complete stop.1773–78 3. Dominic Malarbi[30] 1778–79 4. Joseph Moncada 1780–86 5. Michael Xerri 1786–98 Napoleon Bonapartesuspended the chair.1798–1800 6. Saviour Montebello 1800–04 7. Peter Mallia 1804–22 8. Jerome Inglott 1822–27 9. Karl Cicognani Cappelli 1827–29 10. Joseph Fenech 1829–43 11. Vincent Paul Galea 1843–59 12. George Caruana 1859–72 13. Nicholas Crescimanno 1872–76 14. Nicholas Zammit 1876–90 15. Francis Bonnici 1890–1900 16. Anastasio Cuschieri 1901–39 17. Saviour Grima 1939–49 Joseph Sapiano (acting) 1950–51 Joseph Lupi (acting) 1951–53 18. Joseph Sapiano 1953–71 19. Peter Serracino Inglott 1971–78 Dom Mintoff suspended the chair. 1978–87 20. Peter Serracino Inglott 1987–96 21. Joe Friggieri 1996–2012 22. Claude Mangion 2012–19 23. Jean-Paul De Lucca 2019–
Growing awareness
Research
Since the 1990s there has been an effort to aptly recognise and duly honour the modest share of philosophy in Malta. The necessity arose for two main reasons.[31] One, because the Maltese themselves, mostly due to a dearth of required research, did not acknowledge, much less appreciate, any local philosophical tradition; and, secondly, because any activity that was being carried out in the philosophical field—whether it was teaching, writing or simply discussing—was done as if the Maltese themselves had, at most, a present without a past.[32]
Archival work revealed names and manuscripts and personalities,[33] text-books were published (1995; 2001) and courses were read at the University of Malta (1996/97; 2012/13; 2013/14) and at other institutions of higher education. A first public conference on ‘Maltese’ philosophy was also organised (1996). A further step was taken by the establishment of Philosophy Sharing Foundation (2012).
Appreciation
Since the 16th century, philosophy has contributed to the academic and, sometimes, the intellectual and cultural life of Maltese intelligentsia. In most cases it functioned as a tool of the establishment—including the
During the last thirty years or so philosophy in Malta took an unprecedented twist. Peter Serracino Inglott gave it an extraordinary new breath of life by widening its horizon, diversifying its interests and firmly propelling it into social and political action. This style then was taken up by others who continued this trend.
Some Maltese Philosophers
The following list includes some of Malta's best and most representative philosophers through the ages. Most of the philosophical contributions made by these scholars have lasting significance since they go beyond reflections which are merely descriptive, comparative or contextual. Some of them also appeal for their creativity and style. Others in the list are minor philosophers who contributed to different areas of philosophy.
15th century
- Peter Caxaro(c. 1400–1485)
17th century
- Maximilian Balzan (1637–1711)
- John Matthew Rispoli (1582–1639)
- Dominic Borg (birthdate unknown)
- Saverius Pace (birthdate unknown)
18th century
- George Sagnani (1667-1732)
- Constance Vella (1687–1759)
- John Constance Parnis (1695–1735)
- Joseph Demarco (1723–1789)
- Saviour Bernard (1724–1806)
- John Nicholas Muscat(1735–c. 1800)
- Dominic Bezzina (born c. mid-18th century)
- Fortunatus Victor Costa (birthdate unknown)
- Gaetanus Matthew Perez (birthdate unknown)
- Henry Regnand (birthdate unknown)
19th century
- Michael Anthony Vassalli(1764–1829)
- Jerome Inglott (1776–1835)
- Nicholas Zammit (1815–1899)
- Aloisio Galea (1851-1905)
20th century
- Peter Paul Borg (1843-1934)
- Manuel Dimech(1860–1921)
- John Formosa (1869-1941)
- Anastasio Cuschieri (1872–1962)
- Albert Busuttil (1891-1956)
- Angelo Pirotta (1894–1956)
- Nazzareno Camilleri (1906–1973)
- John Micallef (1923–2003)
- Edward De Bono(b. 1933-2021)
- Peter Serracino Inglott (1936–2012)
- Kenneth Wain (b. 1943)
- Joe Friggieri (b. 1946)
- Oliver Friggieri (1947–2020)
- Tarcisio Zarb (b. 1952)
- Sandra Dingli (b. 1952)
- Mario Vella (b. 1953)
- John Peter Portelli (b. 1954)
- Emmanuel Agius (b. 1954)
- Anthony Abela (1954–2006)
- Michael Zammit (b. 1954)
- Joseph Giordmaina (b. 1963)
- John Baldacchino (b. 1964)
- Mark Montebello (b. 1964)
- Nicky Doublet (1968-2002)
- Colette Sciberras (b. 1976)
References
- ^ H. Frendo, ‘National identity’, Malta: Culture and Identity, ed. by H. Frendo and O. Friggieri, Ministry of Youth and the Arts, Malta, 1994, pp. 2–5.
- ^ A. Cassola, The Literature of Malta: An example of unity in diversity, European Commission, Minima, Malta, 2000, pp. vii–ix.
- ^ J. Cassar Pullicino, ‘The re-opening of the university in 1800’, Journal of the Faculty of Arts, Malta, 1958, 2, pp. 144–5.
- ^ J. Friggieri, 'Letter from Malta', The Philosophers' Magazine (England), 55, 4th quarter, 2011, pp. 49.
- ^ J. Friggieri, Letter from Malta, The Philosophers' Magazine (England), 55, 4th quarter 2011, pp. 48–51.
- ^ A.P. Vella, Storja ta' Malta (History of Malta), Vol. I, Klabb Kotba Maltin, Malta, 1993, pp. 185–188.
- ^ G.F. Abela, Descrittione di Malta, Malta, 1647, pp. 288ff., passim.
- ^ M. Fsadni, Id-Dumnikani fir-Rabat u fil-Birgu sa l-1620, Malta, 1974, pp. 134–136.
- ^ G. Wettinger and M. Fsadni, Peter Caxaro's Cantilena, Malta, 1963.
- ^ A. Bonnici, Storja tal-Inkizizzjoni ta' Malta (The History of the Inquisition in Malta), Vol. I, Religjon u Hajja, Storja, 16, Frangiskani Konventwali, Rabat, Malta, pp. 34–36.
- ^ J. Galea, Malta's Timeline, ed. by R.M. Cassar, Malta, 1989, pp. 27 et seq.
- ^ J. Zammit Mangion, Education in Malta, Studia Editions, Malta, p. 12.
- ^ C. Cassar, Sex, Magic, and the Periwinkle, PIN Publications, Malta, pp. 1–4.
- ^ F. Ciappara, The Roman Inquisition in Enlightened Malta, PIN Publications, Malta, pp. 44–47.
- ^ See, for instance: M. Montebello, Malta's Philosophy & Philosophers, PIN Publications, Malta 2011, pp. 34–45.
- ^ See: F. Ciappara, Society and the Inquisition in Early Modern Malta, PEG Publications, Malta, 2001, pp. 98–119.
- ^ M. Vella, Reflections in a Canvas Bag, PEG Publishers, Malta, pp. 80–81.
- ^ A. Vella, 'The University of S. Maria Portus Salutis', Journal of the Faculty of Arts, Vol. II, No. 2, 1960, pp. 165–167.
- ^ F. Ciappara, Society and the Inquisition in Early Modern Malta, PEG Publications, Malta, 2000, pp. 101–113.
- ^ F. Sammut, Il-Holma Maltija, SKS Publications, Malta, pp. 5–7.
- ^ V. Mallia-Milanes, ed. (1993), Hospitaller Malta 1530–1798, Studies on Early Modern Malta and the Order of St John of Jerusalem, passim.
- ^ V. Mallia-Milanes, ed. (1988), The British Colonial Experience 1800–1964: The Impact on Maltese Society, passim; and Bonnici, A., (1990–1994), Storja ta’ l-Inkizizzjoni ta’ Malta (History of the Inquisition in Malta), 3 volumes, passim.
- ^ J. Chircop, The Left within the Maltese Labour Movement, Mireva Publications, Malta, pp.50–51.
- ^ M. Montebello, Dimech, PIN Publications, Malta, 2004, Chap. IV.
- ^ A. Vella (1966) ‘The origins and development of the Royal University of Malta’, Foundation Day Ceremony, Oration delivered in the church of the university, 12 November 1965, University Press, Malta, pp. 15–16.
- ^ C. Sammut, 'Reassessing the Maltese media system', Social Transitions in Maltese Society, ed. by J. Cutajar and G.Cassar, Agenda Publications, Malta, pp. 77–82.
- ^ J. Friggieri, Letter from Malta, The Philosophers' Magazine (England), 55, 4th quarter 2011, pp. 48–51.
- ^ M. Montebello, Il-Ktieb tal-Filosofija f’Malta, vol. I, PIN Publications, Malta, p. 124.
- ^ Ibid., pp. 83–84, 123.
- ^ R. Zerbi, Malarbi Domenico, Presso Nicola Gervasi al Gigante, 23, 1829.
- ^ M. Montebello, Stedina ghall-Filosofija Maltija (An Invitation to Maltese Philosophy), PEG Publications, Malta, 1995, pp. 87–92.
- ^ P. Serracino Inglott and C. Mangion, 'Il-Filosofija f'Malta' (Philosophy in Malta), Oqsma tal-Kultura Maltija (Areas of Maltese Culture) (1991), ed. by T. Cortis, Ministry of Education and the Interior, Malta, pp. 263–271.
- ^ P. Serracino Inglott, 'Presentation', 20th Century Philosophy in Malta, M. Montebello, Agius & Agius Publications, Malta, 2009, p.11.
Main sources
- J. Friggieri, ‘Philosophy today’, The Malta Year Book 1977, ed. by H.A. Clews, De La Salle Brothers Publications, Malta 1977, pp. 465–470.
- P. Serracino Inglott and C. Mangion, 'Il-Filosofija f'Malta' (Philosophy in Malta), Oqsma tal-Kultura Maltija (Areas of Maltese Culture), ed. by T. Cortis, Ministry of Education and the Interior, Malta 1991, pp. 263–271.
- M. Montebello, Il-Ktieb tal-Filosofija f’Malta (A Source Book of Philosophy in Malta), two volumes, PIN Publications, Malta 2001.
- J. Friggieri, ‘Letter from Malta’, The Philosophers’ Magazine, 55, 4th quarter, England 2011, pp. 48–51.
- M. Montebello, Malta's Philosophy & Philosophers, PIN Publications, Malta 2011.