Mauro, Silvester

MAURO, SILVESTER. - Philosopher and theologian, b. at Spoleto on 31 Dec. 1619, d. at Rome on 13 Jan. 1687. Having entered the Society of Jesus (1636), he taught humanities and philosophy at the College of Macerata, then philosophy, theology (1668-82) and Sacred Scripture (1684-85) at the Roman College, of which he was also, for a period (24 Sept. 1684-2 Nov. 1687), rector. It was due to him that the decoration of St. Ignatius was entrusted to Pozzo (v.).

Of solid philosophical-theological preparation (he had been initiated into the study of St. Thomas by Pallavicino (v.)), accurate and precise in his teaching and writings, M. was also esteemed for the exemplariness 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, ibid. 1698; and of the whole 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 most expert in the Greek language, he always kept the original text before him) and informed by the Thomist interpretation of Aristotle.

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

Ugo Viglino