A man from near Bologna on Tuesday got
his third university degree in seven years at the age of 89
after turning to philosophy as consolation after his wife's
death 11 years ago.
Italo Spinelli, from Finale Emilia, graduated in philosophy from
the university of Macerata in Marche for the first time in 2018,
four years after losing the love of his life, wife Angela Orri.
He then obtained a second degree in history before returning to
his first love and now graduating in philosophical sciences.
His latest degree thesis, which he 'defended' on Tuesday, was
titled "The Return of Eurydice: Memory and Future in Giordano
Bruno", the philosopher burned at the stake for heresy in 1600
in Rome's Campo de' Fiori square.
"I dedicate this work - he wrote on the frontispiece of his
thesis - to Professor Arianna Fermani, whose passion and
dedication have inspired my research path, and to the
magnificent rector, Professor John Mc Court, for his commitment
to promoting the value of knowledge and the academic community.
"I am happy with my wandering with philosophy. - Spinelli said
- I have always thought about it: what does it mean to seek the
truth? One searches for it and perhaps I have found it.
"The path has been very hard, especially in recent years,
studying Giordano Bruno, with his anti-dogmatic ideas. I tell
the kids to persevere, not to get discouraged even if an exam
goes badly, but to continue studying, because the results will
come. It also happened to me that I was kicked out.
"In these years - commented the rector McCourt - Italo Spinelli
has been at home at Unimc (Macerata University).
"He has had so much affection and respect from our community of
students, teachers and administrative staff. It has been a
privilege to accompany him on the path that led him to earn
three degrees with us".
Spinelli is not thinking about a fourth degree, but he said he
wants to follow a cause of beatification regarding Maria Pia
Benati, founder and superior general of the missionaries of the
Eucharist, who died in Forlì in November 1986.
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