Alumnus, New College
Thesis Title: Luigi Giussani: A Teacher in Dialogue with Modernity
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Nicholas Adams
Fergus Kerr, OP |
About
Robert Di Pede received his Ph.D. from Edinburgh University in July 2011 for his thesis Luigi Giussani: A Teacher in Dialogue with Modernity. He holds a B.A. Hons. in Medieval Studies (University of Toronto), an M.A. in Literature (Seton Hall University), and certificates in Medieval History (Cambridge University) and Philosophy (Immaculate Conception Seminary).
Dr. Di Pede is currently writing a book that will shed new light on key texts of Luigi Giussani (1922-2005), introducing clarity to some difficult passages, highlighting his contribution to the project of New Evangelization, excavating the fascinating - occasionally controversial - sources that shaped Giussani's responses to his young interlocutors' questions, and presenting ideas from those works available only in Italian to an English-language readership for the first time
Dr. Di Pede is also involved in two ongoing projects. The first is a monograph on the concept of trust in the Christian tradition, examining its treatment from a philosophical perspective in ancient authors, from Dante, Luther, and Calvin, to recent ones, such as Rowan Williams and Pierangelo Sequeri. A second project involves a deep reading of R.G. Collingwood’s (1889-1943) texts, some of which remain neglected by theologians because of their seeming impenetrability. He will investigate their significance in contemporary theological debates centred around language philosophy and experience, history/tradition and aesthetics.
Currently a Head Teacher in Toronto, Dr. Di Pede has taught courses and lectured in the areas of Literature, Comparative Literature, Theology, and Philosophy at Seton Hall University (USA), Edinburgh University (UK), and McGill University (CAN). He has received awards from the Lilly Endowment for the Humanities and The Dante Society of America for his research.
Dr. Di Pede welcomes inquiries touching on any of his research interests.
