URRÁBURU, JUAN JOSÉ. — Jesuit, scholastic philosopher, b. at Ceánuri (Biscay) on 20 May 1844, d. at Burgos on 10 Aug. 1904.
He entered the Order in 1860 and, after completing his studies, taught philosophy and theology for several years at Poyannes (France) to his fellow religious who had taken refuge there after being exiled from Spain; then in 1876 he was called to the Gregorian University to occupy the chair of philosophy, which he held for nine years (1876–87). Returning to Spain, he successively served as rector of the College of Valladolid (1887–90), of the Scholasticate of Oña (1891–96), and of the Central Seminary of Salamanca (1896–1902).
His teaching is collected in his complete course of philosophy: Institutiones philosophicae (8 vols., Madrid 1890–1900), which he subsequently abridged in the Compendium philosophiae scholasticae (5 vols., there 1902–1904). Although somewhat prolix, the Institutiones were welcomed and are still read for their clarity, rigorous method, penetrating analysis, extensive and reliable knowledge both of scholastic philosophers and of others, including adversaries, and for their accuracy, combined with a chivalrous courtesy, in reporting and discussing contrary opinions. It cannot be said that U. was an original author, but he follows the traditional line, with closer adherence to Suárez. Two series of articles deserve mention: El verdadero puesto della filosofía entre las demás ciencias (in Razón y Fe, 1 [1901], pp. 57–69, 137–52) and El principio vital y el materialismo ante la ciencia y la filosofía (ibid., 8 [1904], pp. 313–26; 9 [1904], pp. 180–91, 325–41; 10 [1904], pp. 319–31; 11 [1905], pp. 54–66), which attracted the attention of many foreign journals.