Joseph Sapiano
Encyclopedia
Joseph Sapiano was a Maltese theologian and minor philosopher. In philosophy he was mostly interested in epistemology. He held the Chair of Philosophy at the University of Malta
between 1953 and 1971.
, Malta
, in 1911. He began his studies at the Lyceum, where he showed special interest in literature
, and was also awarded prices for it. Afterwards, he pursued his studies at the Gregorian University in Rome
(1928-39). He was ordained a priest in 1934. At Rome
he obtained a doctorate
in philosophy
, another in theology
, and a licentiate
in Church history.
Back in Malta
in 1944, Sapiano was appointed Professor of Patrology and Liturgy
at the University of Malta
. In 1950, for the next year and a half, he held the Chair of Philosophy at the same university on a pro tem basis. After becoming, in 1951, a Professor of Philosophy he continued some studies for another year and a half, and then, in 1953, he was finally appointed to the Chair of Philosophy, an office he kept for the next twenty years, up till 1971. Here, of course, he had a full compliment of courses. Simultaneously, between 1944 and 1952, he also taught dogmatics, patrology, and liturgy
at the bishop
’s major seminary, and Latin
at the minor seminary. Furthermore, he was theologian of the Metropolitan Chapter (1952), and prosynodal examiner and judge at the bishop
’s curia
. He died in 1985.
. All his writings bear witness to such a philosophical character.
Though his academic and intellectual career spans over many decades, his philosophical publications are sporadic. He published some articles in Maltese periodicals such as Melita Theologica, Seminarium Melitense, and Scientia, but they are not of much significance. More interesting than these are his unpublished manuscripts containing his class notes. Although none of them are dated, they presumably go back to around 1951. All manuscripts are typed, and, but the final two listed below, are in Latin
, as philosophy was taught at the University of Malta
up till Sapiano’s time. The manuscripts deal with the following subjects:
University of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
between 1953 and 1971.
Life
Sapiano was born at BalzanBalzan
Ħal Balzan is small village in Malta, one of the so called three villages, together with Attard and Lija.The village originally consisted of a group of small dwellings and farms but eventually grew, becoming a parish in the 17th century...
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, in 1911. He began his studies at the Lyceum, where he showed special interest in literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
, and was also awarded prices for it. Afterwards, he pursued his studies at the Gregorian University in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
(1928-39). He was ordained a priest in 1934. At Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
he obtained a doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, another in theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, and a licentiate
Licentiate
Licentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
in Church history.
Back in Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
in 1944, Sapiano was appointed Professor of Patrology and Liturgy
Liturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
at the University of Malta
University of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
. In 1950, for the next year and a half, he held the Chair of Philosophy at the same university on a pro tem basis. After becoming, in 1951, a Professor of Philosophy he continued some studies for another year and a half, and then, in 1953, he was finally appointed to the Chair of Philosophy, an office he kept for the next twenty years, up till 1971. Here, of course, he had a full compliment of courses. Simultaneously, between 1944 and 1952, he also taught dogmatics, patrology, and liturgy
Liturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
at the bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
’s major seminary, and Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
at the minor seminary. Furthermore, he was theologian of the Metropolitan Chapter (1952), and prosynodal examiner and judge at the bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
’s curia
Curia (Roman Catholic Church)
In Roman Catholicism, a curia consists of a group of officials who assist in the governance of a particular Church. These curias range from the relatively simple diocesan curia, to the larger patriarchal curias, to the Roman Curia, which is the central government of the Catholic Church.Other...
. He died in 1985.
Works
Sapiano was an Aristotelico-Thomist ScholasticScholasticism
Scholasticism is a method of critical thought which dominated teaching by the academics of medieval universities in Europe from about 1100–1500, and a program of employing that method in articulating and defending orthodoxy in an increasingly pluralistic context...
. All his writings bear witness to such a philosophical character.
Though his academic and intellectual career spans over many decades, his philosophical publications are sporadic. He published some articles in Maltese periodicals such as Melita Theologica, Seminarium Melitense, and Scientia, but they are not of much significance. More interesting than these are his unpublished manuscripts containing his class notes. Although none of them are dated, they presumably go back to around 1951. All manuscripts are typed, and, but the final two listed below, are in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, as philosophy was taught at the University of Malta
University of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
up till Sapiano’s time. The manuscripts deal with the following subjects:
- Logica Maior (Principal Logic).
- Metaphysica (Metaphysics).
- Psychologia (Psychology).
- Cosmologia (Cosmology).
- Theologia Naturalis (Natural Theology or Theodicy).
- General Psychology.
- History of Ancient Greek Philosophy.
Sources
- Mark Montebello, Il-Ktieb tal-Filosofija f’Malta (A Source Book of Philosophy in Malta), PIN Publications, Malta, 2001.