In dulcedine societatis quærere veritatem : the soul of academic life

Abstract

As I'm sure most of you here present know, the title of this paper is taken from Albert the Great's Commentary on Aristotle s Politics: "to seek the truth in the pleasure of companionship". As a friar and as a scholar Albert was very much inclined to share his enthusiasm and his reflections with both his brethren as well as with his students, whom he referred to as "companions" (socii). Seeking the truth together is a quest which begins with the individual's thirst for truth, and it finds one of its most sublime expressions in that community which is known as the university.