1. INTRODUCTION 

      Unique to humans is the capacity of thought, reflection, and investigation.  And if we wish to share the results of this search with other human beings, we enter into dialogue with them. A bridge of dialogue has been established -- understood generally as an urgent necessity -- between civilizations, and between the Islamic community (Umma) and the West in particular. Dialogue--understood as the shortest path to knowing the other, his or her opinions, modes of thought and living--is a positive value in itself, independent of whether the outcome is positive. 

We wish to define our “thought that dialogues” by responding to the following questions: Who dialogues with whom? What are the objectives of the dialogue?  What is their terrain? What are the obstacles and difficulties? Considered as a striding toward coexistence and mutual understanding, dialogue is the best therapy for guaranteeing the greatest communication and comprehension. All of these definitions show us the richness and the importance of dialogue.  All we need are two basic requisites: the desire to talk and listen, and something to say.   

In the Ecclesiastical Faculty of Philosophy of Cataluña of the University of Ramon Llull, the research group Philosophical Thought in Dialogue for Coexistence (Pensar para Convivir) has been created as a platform where thought—philosophy--is the nucleus.  Philosophy—Christian, Jewish, or Muslim that does not close in upon itself but rather reaches out more and more as a bridge between cultures. 

Our starting point is a Reason enlightened by Faith and Revelation that, when shared with others, leads us to understand better the world and human beings. 

We are urged and moved to participate in the construction of the union among all cultures.  We are obliged, in the world of today that seeks to be more global to avail ourselves of thought as a fundamental tool for building a peaceful and harmonious coexistence among all peoples. 

Is it possible?  We think so, since we already have some examples from the past to fall back upon. To cite one close to us in time and space, in the School of Translators of Toledo, Christians, Muslims, and Jews reflected together in an exchange of respectful and sincere thought that led to the peaceful coexistence among all of them. 

We want to find, here and now, the way to repeat this and other similar experiences. 

This project is not separate from the objectives of our Faculty of Philosophy, which strives in earnest to deepen our own cultural and philosophical tradition in relation to other cultures ever more present among us.  

2.  OBJECTIVES 

      We propose as our objectives: 

1. The investigation and cataloguing of the principal critical works of this period, with a special concern to investigate the fundamental texts (bibliographical work). 

2. The translation and subsequent publication and diffusion of those texts that, due to their relevance, can offer a serious reflection upon the essential lines of scholastic thought: the creation ab eterno of the world, the existence of a providential God, life after death, freedom, etc. (translation work). 

3.  The organization of seminars, individualized courses, conferences, relations with groups sharing the same objectives that facilitate the in-depth study and updating of those themes basic to philosophy (academic teaching). 

4. The capacity for mutual cultural knowledge that favours a dynamic classroom of philosophical exchange with persons interested in the discovery and practice of a true dialogue about the fundamental themes of Philosophy in confrontation with Revelation (a live debate in themes in the form of quaestiones disputatae). 

5.  To cultivate dialogue and exchange with centres that share the same concerns and research, forming a common groundwork, each offering its own possibilities to attain the propose objectives. 
 
 

Dr. Joan Martínez Porcell

Mr. Rachid Aarab

Co-Directors