A degree in jurisprudence from Naples in 1857 provided the initial academic foundation for Francesco Acri, who later pursued philosophical studies in Berlin under Friedrich Adolf Trendelenburg. Born in Catanzaro in 1834, he dedicated his professional life to linguistic scholarship, university teaching, and the history of philosophy within the Kingdom of Italy.
Academic Career
Acri began his teaching career at the University of Palermo before moving to the University of Bologna in 1871. He occupied the chair of history of philosophy at the latter institution for four decades, remaining in his post until 1911. During his tenure, he became a member of the Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti.
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His work was characterized by an adherence to Rosminian spiritualism, which placed him in direct conflict with both Hegelians and positivists. He engaged in a protracted intellectual dispute with Francesco Fiorentino, his predecessor at the University of Bologna. His publications, such as the 1880 work concerning the relationship between consciousness and the body, sought to challenge the prevailing naturalistic doctrines of his time.
Political and Civic Engagement
In 1895, Acri was elected as a city councilor in Bologna. He leveraged his position to advocate for the inclusion of catechism in schools and maintained an active opposition to divorce legislation. Throughout his life, he remained a public proponent of Catholic participation in the societal and political affairs of Italy.
Scholarship and Legacy
Acri authored numerous treatises including his 1870 sketch on the theory of ideas and his 1908 volume concerning Saint Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle. His posthumously published Dialettica serena appeared in 1917, four years after his death in Bologna. He is buried at the Certosa di Bologna, where his memorial inscription highlights his devotion to science and faith.
Fast facts
- Born: 1834, Catanzaro
- Died: 1913, Bologna
- University of Palermo faculty member
- University of Bologna faculty member from 1871 to 1911
- Member of Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti
- Burial site: Certosa di Bologna
- Political role: City councilor in Bologna, 1895
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Francesco Acri teach?
He served as a university teacher specializing in the history of philosophy.
Which philosophical groups did he oppose?
He was an opponent of the Hegelians and the positivists.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Bologna and University of Palermo
