The Philosophy of Ignacio Ellacuría: a new Critical Theory with implications for pedagogy

Abstract

First, I present systematically the philosophy of historical reality of Ignacio Ellacuría, including comments of the most relevant works by some authors, after a review of secondary sources in major databases. We emphasize particularly as the proposal of Ellacuría is a philosophical alternative to postmodern thought and to the most dogmatic modernity. His zubirian metaphysical roots give it a unique capacity to do an immanent social critique of the content given in the History. This is possible without going «outside» history looking for external transcendentals; but also without the conservative acceptance of the factual contents of history. The key are the "possibilities", that the historical reality keeps in itself, from which, the present is judged. Second, I draw some implications for education and pedagogy, and I write a brief conclusion which emphasizes the open character of history.