Juan Arnau, born in Valencia in 1968, maintains a multidisciplinary career that bridges astrophysics, Eastern philosophy, and translation. His transition from studying physical sciences to the deep examination of Indian traditions began after significant travel and academic training in international institutions. Today, he operates as a researcher and author contributing to the history of ideas through critical editions and original essays.
Early Career and Academic Path
Before committing to academic philosophy, Arnau spent several years working as a sailor and completed multiple trips to Africa. He enrolled at the Complutense University of Madrid, graduating with a degree in Astrophysics in 1994. In 1995, he traveled to India under a fellowship from the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation. At the University of Varanasi, he pursued studies in Indian culture and Sanskrit, working under the guidance of Oscar Pujol.
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Arnau completed his doctoral studies at the Centre for Asian and African Studies at El Colegio de México, focusing on Sanskrit language proficiency under Rashik Vihari Joshi. He subsequently moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he spent six years performing postdoctoral research in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Michigan, supervised by Luis Ó. Gomez. During this period, he also taught Spanish language and Latin American cinema.
Translations and Critical Editions
A significant portion of Arnau's scholarly output involves direct translation of Sanskrit philosophical texts. His catalog includes critical editions of the works of Nāgārjuna, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Upanishads. He has further expanded his translational work to include volumes by Henryk Skolimowski and Carl Gustav Carus, while also recovering the writings of Vicente Fatone.
Institutional Appointments and Awards
Arnau is currently affiliated with the Institute of History of Medicine and Science López Piñero, part of the CSIC and the University of Valencia. He also serves as an associate professor at the University of Barcelona. His literary contributions have received formal recognition, including the XXXIV Premio de la Crítica Literaria Valenciana, which he was awarded for his 2014 book, Manual de filosofía portátil.
Fast facts
- Born: 1968, Valencia, Spain
- Undergraduate Degree: Astrophysics, Complutense University of Madrid (1994)
- Fields of Study: Eastern philosophy, Religion, Astrophysics
- Notable Recognition: XXXIV Premio de la Crítica Literaria Valenciana
- Current Affiliation: University of Barcelona, Institute of History of Medicine and Science López Piñero
Questions readers ask
What is Juan Arnau's primary academic focus?
He specializes in Eastern philosophy and religion, with a particular emphasis on the critical translation of Sanskrit treatises.
Did Juan Arnau have a career before philosophy?
Yes, he worked as a sailor for several years and holds a degree in astrophysics.
Achievements
- Fields: astrophysics, Eastern philosophy and religion
