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How to Scare International Students with Vitello’s Theory of Demons
In March (23rd-27th) 2026, an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme meeting was held at the University of Zielona Góra. About fifty students representing partner universities from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Turkey and Vietnam took part in this event. Ancient Φilosophy Reception research group was present there and it was Tomasz Mróz whose presentation inaugurated on-site and offline part of the whole event.
The general topic of this BIP meeting was: Interference Patterns – Science and Culture in Dialogue. Mróz’s lecture – The Philosopher Vitello of Legnica and His Scholarly Theory of Demons – aimed to demonstrate how this 13th century scientist and philosopher, man of the world and a locally engaged scholar, used ancient thinkers (Calcidius and Aristotle) and combined mathematical calculations, natural sciences, philosophy and his own life experience to develop a theory of demons as animals composed mainly of air, the subtle element. He rejected theological concept of demons as a fallen angels and took an attempt to explain various “demonic” phaenomena secundum viam naturalem et possibilem.
The questions from the audience concerned the problem of Vitello’s method as he departed from theological discourse. The discussion that followed emphasised the convergence of methods of Latin Averroists and Vitello, whose intention may have also been the defence of the autonomous character of philosophy and sciences. Feedback from students was also invaluable as they were surprised that such intriguing topics can be found in (otherwise dull?) history of medieval philosophy. Thank you Moldovan students in Romania!
As a digression in the course of the lecture, Woody Allen’s Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask appeared. However, since the episode with Daisy, the sheep, is definitely not suitable for all audiences, it will not be developed here 😉
Of course, no one would probably argue today for topicality of Vitello’s theory of demons, but at least some of his considerations should be taken as a serious piece of advice even in the 21st century: if you see demons or angels or hear them talking to you or making sounds, you should immediately consult a doctor!
Thanks to Sylwia Kondej and Magdalena Pokrzyńska
for organising such a great event!
An Erasmus+ Visit of a Guest from Vilnius
A co-operation between Vilnius University and the University of Zielona Góra in philosophy is developing well and a recent (March 9th-13th, 2026) visit of a guest from VU, dr Mindaugas Stoškus, proves this. M. Stoškus is a scholar with whom Ancient Φilosophy Reception research group have recently started a formal collaboration in a project funded by the Research Council of Lithuania on the reception of Greek philosophy among the philosophers in VU in the 20th century. It is here where we have already announced this as well as Stoškus’ previous visits in Zielona Góra.
There were two lectures on ancient philosophy (and its application) among the classes of dr Stoškus. They both required students’ engagement and active participation. For philosophy students, he spoke about the ancient Greek idea of philosophy and wisdom, while for the students of doctoral school – about Plato and teaching methods. The photo on the right was taken by Urszula Majdańska-Wachowicz during the class for PhD. students. M. Stoškus (left) is being introduced by T. Mróz (right).
We are looking forward to the next visits of Vilnius scholars!
Paper on H. Jakubanis as a Promoter of Greek Thought
It is not the first time (and, hopefully, not the last one either) that the Lithunian journal “Logos” publishes a paper composed by a member of Ancient Φilosophy Reception research group. The scope of the journal are scholarly studies in all areas of philosophy.
This time the author is Mariam Sargsyan, who in 2025 defended her Ph.D. thesis cum laude and received her doctoral diploma during a ceremony at the University of Zielona Góra, where AΦR group is affiliated.
Her article was published in vol. 124 of “Logos” and is available here in a bilingual, that is, Lithuanian (translated from English by Tomas Kavaliauskas) and original English version. It is important to remark here that Henryk Jakubanis (1879–1949), whose works are the topic of this paper, and his ancestors had their roots in Lithuania, although their mother tongue was Polish and they spent most of their lives in the Russian Empire. Two language versions of Sargsyan’s paper title are Henrikas Jakubanis kaip graikų mąstymo puoselėtojas and Henryk Jakubanis as a Promoter of Greek Thought.
Sargsyan’s article covers some issues from her previous Polish studies, as for example a short sketch of Jakubanis’ and a presentation of his historical-philosophical works. This is supplemented with archival materials from the Catholic University of Lublin. Additionally, the article delves into the intellectual lineage of Jakubanis, focusing on the influences of Alexei Gilarov (1856–1938) and Tadeusz Zieliński (1859–1944).
Let us focus only on Jakubanis’ work titled The Importance of Ancient Philosophy for the Modern Worldview (published in Kyiv in 1910) in which he identified the characteristic features of ancient thought with inner harmony on the top of them. Along with harmony, he listed universalism, sincerity, the ability to adopt justified views, and the plasticity of objectivism. He used harmony as an intrument for reviving ancient philosophy at the dawn of the 20th century. According to the him, modern times could undoubtedly be described as an epoch in a state of profound philosophical crisis. The essence of the crisis was the lack of unity in spiritual life and a deep split in its manifestations. This state was described as a threefold disharmony: in the scientific and theoretical sphere, in the discord of mind, feelings, and will, and, finally, in a disunion between theory and practice. In this regard the harmony of Greek thought seemed to him to be an accurate cure. More details can be found in Sargsyan’s paper.
Full Professorship for Tomasz Mróz
We are very glad to announce that Tomasz Mróz, the Head and Initiatior of the Ancient Φilosophy Reception research group at the University of Zielona Góra (Institute of Philosophy), was granted the title of the professor (or full professor, professor ordinarius), the highest academic rank in Poland, by the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, in December 2025. The ceremony of presenting the nominations to the new professors took place in the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, official residence of the Polish head of the state, on January 7th, 2026.
The whole procedure of obtaining the professorship took almost a year. All the necessary documents were submitted to the Council of Academic Excellence (CAE) in January 2025. CAE appointed five referees to assess quantity and quality of T. Mróz’s scholarly achievements and his entire academic curriculum. The referees were professors: Krzysztof Brzechczyn, Mikołaj Domaradzki, Janina Gajda-Krynicka, Jerzy Kojkoł and Andrzej Wawrzynowicz. After receiving five positive opinions, CAE, at a session in September 2025, unanimously passed a motion to the President to grant the professor title to T. Mróz.
Congratulations!
The Interview with Professor Marian Wesoły Available with English Subtitles
We are very glad to announce that finally, after two years, the interview with Professor Marian Wesoły is available online with English subtitles on the website of the project Oral History and the Classics, here. We have already reported on shooting this interview here.
Professor Wesoły, at his desk at home, talked about his intellectual biography, his teachers, collaborators, colleagues, correspondents, about his academic adventures at research centres in Germany (Tübingen) and Italy (Naples), books and editions, and many other fascinating issues. Moreover, he shared his views on prospective developments of research in the field of ancient philosophy.
We want to encourage you, once again, to click here and watch the video.
The Ceremony of Presenting Doctoral Diplomas
In 2025 there were many important moments for the AΦR group, but one of the most remarkable of them took place on November the 20th. It was the ceremony of presenting the new doctors with their diplomas. The members of the AΦR group took part in such an event for the first time.
The degree holder was Mariam Sargsyan, (now Ph.D.!), who – after taking a traditional doctoral oath in Latin to the Rector Magnificus of the University of Zielona Góra, prof. dr hab. Wojciech Strzyżewski – was officially granted the doctoral title cum laude and the diploma by her academic supervisor, dr hab. Tomasz Mróz.
Some details of Sargsyan’s thesis and a report from her public defence can be found here, while all the information about the projects in which she participated, her activities and achievements can be found on our website tagged with M. Sargsyan or H. Jakubanis, whose life and works were the subject of her dissertation.
A full account of the ceremony on the university’s website, in Polish, can be found here.
Congratulations!
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