Mauro, Silvester

MAURO, SILVESTRO. — Philosopher and theologian, born in Spoleto on 31 December 1619, died in Rome on 13 January 1687. He entered the Society of Jesus (1636), taught the humanities and philosophy at the College of Macerata, and then philosophy, theology (1668–82), and Sacred Scripture (1684–85) at the Roman College, of which he was also rector for a period (24 September 1684–2 November 1687). He was responsible for the initiative of entrusting the decoration of S. Pozzo (v.).

Of solid philosophical and theological training (he had been introduced to the study of s. Tommaso by Pallavicino (v.)), careful and polished in his teaching and writings, M. was also esteemed for the exemplary nature and holiness of his religious life. He is remembered above all for his commentary on Aristotle: Aristotelis opera quae exstant omnia brevi paraphrasi ac litterae perpetuo inhaerente explanatione illustrata (6 vols., Rome 1668; new ed. of the Ethica, Venice 1696; of the Politica, there 1698; and of the complete work, Paris-Ratisbon 1885–87, edited by Fathers Ehrle, Beringer, and Felchlin). M.’s commentary, of undoubted value, is sober, faithful to the text (being highly proficient in the Greek language, he always kept the original text before him), and informed by the Thomistic interpretation of Aristotle.

Other works: Quaestionum philosophicarum II. 5, 5 vols., Rome 1658; 2nd ed., there 1670; new ed. with a preface by Liberatore, Paris 1876; Opus theologicum, 3 vols., Rome 1687; Quaestionum theologicarum II. 6, 6 vols., there 1676–79.