Miquel Solans, a doctoral student within the Natural Law and Practical Rationality project of the Institute for Culture and Society, has begun a research stay at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms of the University of Bonn thanks to a research grant awarded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

The stay is part of his doctoral thesis and focuses on research into the nature of moral knowledge in Plato. "I analyze the relationship between the notions of the good, justice and knowledge in the Gorgias dialogue," as he explains.

His research stay also aims at establishing academic links with researchers from the German academic world. In particular, he is working with renowned philosopher Theo Kobusch, who is an expert in Ancient and Medieval Philosophy and has published a German translation of the Gorgias dialogue, including philosophical commentary.

Contact with a different university tradition

Moreover, Miquel notes that, at the University of Bonn, he is able to access all the specialized German literature on Plato. He particularly appreciates this opportunity to become familiar with the German philosophical tradition in the original since it "is one of the fundamental pillars of contemporary thought and culture."

"The experience is proving to be very positive because it allows me to get in touch with a different university tradition that, in the case of Germany, is still an international reference," as Miquel noted.

Miquel Solans highlights the importance of researching abroad for a young researchers' academic and professional training. "First, because it gives one the opportunity to meet with top researchers and get firsthand knowledge of other centers and research teams working on the same issues."

In addition, he emphasizes that it serves to discover new ways of thinking and "examine approaches themselves, as well as to strengthen one's thesis and interpretations."