'Dones de Ciència' honours philosopher Adela Cortina

The Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) has dedicated a new mural as part of its 'Dones de Ciència' project to the Valencian philosopher Adela Cortina, one of the most prominent international figures in contemporary ethical thought. Created by the Argentinian artist Agus Rúcula, the mural is located at the CEIP El Castell primary school in Albalat dels Sorells.

"I accept this tribute with great joy and gratitude. It is a memorable fact that it is in a school, because educating children in values is fundamental to building a fairer society. And the fact that girls can find female role models in philosophy and sciences is also a way of breaking new ground," said Adela Cortina during the unveiling.

The mural features a portrait of the philosopher – who holds an Honorary Doctorate from the UPV and is the academic director of the Étnor Foundation – deep in conversation, with her hands open and an expressive gaze. Around her, shapes and lines in vibrant colours evoke the transition from words to action – a reference to one of the central ideas of her philosophy: the need for ethical values not to remain merely theoretical, but to be part of our everyday decisions and behaviour.

"For me, it was very important to portray Adela while she is speaking, while she is sharing, always passionate. And I have tried to capture all of this in the gestures of her hands and eyes, conveying to the mural the essence of applied ethics through a composition in which words seem to come to life," explains Agus Rúcula.

Shades of yellow, pink, green and violet envelop the portrait of Adela Cortina and lend dynamism to a composition which, as the artist explains, "she devised to connect with the school's pupils. "Colour was a challenge because I wanted to find a bridge between the formality that Adela represents and the fact that the mural is in a school. It was important for the colour palette to be vibrant so that it would also resonate with the students," adds Rúcula.

An invitation to reflect on solidarity, equality…

Professor Emerita of Ethics and Political Philosophy at the University of Valencia, she was the first woman to be admitted to the Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences. Among her numerous contributions, the coining of the term 'aporophobia'—which defines the rejection of poor people—and her advocacy of an ethics based on dialogue, responsibility and respect stand out. In December 2016, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the UPV in recognition of her career and contributions to ethical thought.

Now, with this new mural, her figure and ideas are also reaching the classrooms at CEIP El Castell, inviting pupils to reflect on values such as solidarity, equality, and respect, and on the importance of applying them in everyday life.

52 murals

The mural dedicated to Adela Cortina is the 52nd in the 'Dones de Ciència' series, an initiative by the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) that began in February 2019 with a tribute to another of the great figures of Spanish science, Margarita Salas, whose mural has been on display ever since on the façade of the UPV's rectorate building.

Once again this year, 'Dones de Ciència' receives support from the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.