Rocco Buttiglione

Most important awards, prizes and academies
Honorary degree in Philosophy: May 1994, Lublin Catholic University, Poland; Council Member of the Pontifical Commission Justitia et Pax (1984-1991); Honorary Professor of Mendoza University; Member of the editorial council of several Italian and international magazines. Courses and Seminars: Prof. Buttiglione has held courses and seminars at the Pontifical Institute for the Family and Marriage in Rome, the University of Rome (La Sapienza), the University of Urbino, the University of Teramo, the Catholic University of Lublin and many other universities and research centres.

Summary of scientific research
Buttiglione studied Law at the Universities of Turin and Rome, where in 1970 he obtained a degree with a thesis in the History of Political Doctrines. From the beginning of his career he has shared the experience of the Movement of Communion and Liberation founded by Msgr. Luigi Giussani. In 1972-78 he studied abroad and taught at the Universities of Rome and Urbino. From 1978 his interests started to expand into Polish culture and the philosophical personalism of the Lublin school, and especially that of Karol Wojtyla. In this period Buttiglione wrote many articles clarifying the distinctions between Marxism and Christian doctrine. In 1982 he published two books: the first about the mind and philosophy of Karol Wojtyla and the second about the new philosophy of human labour which underlies the Encyclical Laborem Exercens. In recent years he has promoted many schools of social doctrine both in Italy and abroad. He has been invited to lecture at several seminars in universities and cultural institutions. He has been head chair of political philosophy and political science at Teramo University and at S. Pio V University in Rome. He has been a Member of Parliament since 1994. He has been Minister for European Affairs (2001-2005), Minister of Culture (2006) and Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies (until 2013). He did not run for office in the last elections and went back to teaching and scientific research.