Stephen BarrThe thesis of the conflict between science and faith is a myth generated by the polemics of the end of the 19th century".The roots of the divorce between modern science and Christian religionDefense of life in March: science vs. ideologyIn the Spanish scientific landscape, Alfonso Carrascosa stands as a bridge between two worlds often perceived as disparate: science and faith. His approach, which challenges the supposed dichotomy between the two spheres, is nourished by a deep knowledge of the history of science in Spain.
Carrascosa, who holds a PhD in Biological Sciences from the Complutense University of Madrid, has devoted much of his career to microbiology. A turn in his career led him to research the history of science. His work explores how science and faith can not only coexist, but fruitfully collaborate, enriching human knowledge.
As part of the 85th anniversary of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC)We talked with him about the beginnings of the institution and the protagonists who, after the Civil War, made its creation possible. In recent years, he has published several books, among them Catholic Church and Science in 20th Century Spainand dictation conferences on the Catholic origins of the CSIC. It has rescued stories of scientists who carried out their professional work without renouncing their beliefs. On November 24, 1939, by means of a founding law published in the Official State Gazette (November 28, 1939), the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas was created, assuming the competencies and premises of the Junta para Ampliación de Estudios e Investigaciones Científicas (JAE).
What were the origins of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and the historical context in which it was founded?
The CSIC was born in 1939, in a complex context marked by the end of the Spanish Civil War and the beginning of Franco's regime. It was created as part of an effort to rebuild the scientific landscape of the country, continuing the legacy of the so-called "Spanish Civil War". Silver Age of Spanish science. This period, which spanned from the end of the 19th century to the first third of the 20th century, was fundamental in laying the foundations for research and development in Spain.
It is important to note that while the Silver Age is associated with secular institutions such as the Institución Libre de EnseñanzaThis period is not limited to them alone. The reality is that the Silver Age was home to scientists of various ideologies, including Catholic figures like Joaquín Costa y Lucas Malladawho were part of the Spanish regenerationism. His influence was key in the creation of the Board for the Extension of Studies and Scientific Research (Junta para Ampliación de Estudios e Investigaciones Científicas) (JAE) in 1907. This institutional development took place in the context of the Catholic confessional parliamentary monarchy of Alfonso XIII.
The CSIC, in this sense, emerged as a late product of this regenerationist movement, driven by people trained thanks to the JAE scholarships. In other words, its founders were members of the Silver Age, undisputed heirs of that era.
Who were the key figures behind the creation of CSIC?
The creation of the CSIC in the same year in which the Spanish Civil War ended reflects the interest of the Ministry of National Education in recovering and surpassing the scientific level that Spain had reached in the first third of the 20th century. The Founding Law of CSICenacted on November 24 of that year, was the brainchild of both José Ibáñez Martínthen Minister of National Education, as well as of José María Albareda Herreraa scientist of great prestige.
The CSIC symbolized a decisive step in the scientific renewal of post-war Spain. Its initial leadership was in the hands of a group of prominent scientists, all practicing Catholics and recognized figures of the Silver Age: José Ibáñez Martín, who assumed the presidency; José María Albareda Herrera, as first secretary general; the chemist Antonio de Gregorio Rocasolanofirst vice-president; the Arabist and priest Miguel Asín Palaciossecond vice-president; and the agronomist engineer Juan Marcilla Arrazolathird vice-president. This team promoted the CSIC's mission to revitalize science in Spain and to open a new chapter in the history of scientific research in the country.
How did the personal and professional experiences of José Ibáñez Martín and José María Albareda influence your vision for founding CSIC?
José Ibáñez Martín studied Literature, obtaining two degrees. However, when he was in the doctorate courses, his father died, leaving the family in a difficult economic situation. In view of this, Ibáñez Martín decided to take the competitive examinations for the position of Professor of Secondary School, obtaining the first place at the national level. Shortly after, he began a political career and was elected parliamentarian in the Second Republic, representing the Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Rights. He was also a member of the Catholic Association of Propagandists.
When the Civil War broke out, Ibáñez Martín was in El Escorial with his family. When he learned that conservative politicians were being assassinated in Madrid, he chose not to return and, with his pregnant wife and children, took refuge in the Turkish embassy. Under these difficult conditions, his wife gave birth, but the baby died due to lack of hygiene and resources. After months in extreme conditions, the family managed to travel to Valencia and then embark for Turkey, in a move respected by the authorities.
During his exile, he faced economic difficulties and was purged by the Popular Front government, which dismissed the civil servants who did not report to their posts. In 1937, he moved to Burgos, where he came into contact with José María Albareda.
For its part, Albareda was an outstanding scientist who had been trained with scholarships from the Junta para Ampliación de Estudios, obtaining his doctorate in Pharmacy and Chemistry, and specializing in edaphology, a science of great importance for the agricultural sector in Spain. During the war, Albareda was also purged by the Republican government. At that time, he met Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of the Opus DeiIn 1937 he asked to be admitted as a numerary. Like Escrivá, Albareda suffered persecution and was forced to change his residence on several occasions.
Together with some of the first members of Opus Dei, Albareda helped Escrivá escape from Madrid, taking him across the Pyrenees to Burgos. It was in Burgos that Albareda and Ibáñez Martín began work on the structure of the future CSIC.
In 1959, Albareda was ordained a priest, although he continued all his professional activity. The following year, he was appointed the first rector of the University of NavarraHe held this position until his death. At the same time, he continued to work as secretary general of the CSIC, altruistically and without remuneration.
After the war, Ibáñez Martín was appointed Minister of National Education and his experience and ideas led him to promote the CSIC. Albareda, with his experience as a scientist, outlined the general lines of the project, such as the organization of some institutes and the researchers who were to head them, as well as the topics of scientific studies, new research trials and experiments, grants, prizes, etc.
What were José María Albareda's main contributions to CSIC and what aspects of his scientific work consolidated him as a leading figure of his time?
José María Albareda played a fundamental role in strengthening the experimental sciences within the CSIC, standing out for his in-depth knowledge of scientific research. Through his work, he managed to connect CSIC with the most advanced research centers in Europe, positioning experimental science in a central place within the institution.
In addition, Albareda managed to bring together an outstanding group of chemists, physicists and biologists within the CSIC, who worked closely in the development of these disciplines. An example of this cooperation was the founding of the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, which became a key center for scientific research in Spain. In this environment, Albareda fostered a collaborative work environment, in which scientists from different areas shared knowledge and developed joint projects.
His openness and political neutrality were also notable aspects of his leadership. In a context of political tensions, Albareda formed a diverse team and avoided any kind of ideological discrimination. Thanks to this inclusive stance, many scientists, even those with ideologies opposed to the regime, found career development opportunities based on their scientific merit. This attitude favored the growth of areas such as the microbiology and biochemistry at national level.
His commitment to science was not limited to research, but he also promoted the incorporation of women into scientific research, a crucial aspect in the history of the CSIC, where women were a minority in the staff and mainly performed administrative tasks. His vision and dedication positioned him as a key figure in the scientific and educational development of his time.
What is the CSIC's current role in Spanish science and how does it maintain its position as a global research benchmark?
From its beginnings, the CSIC was a key institution for the decentralization of research, a priority objective of its promoters such as José Ibáñez Martín and José María Albareda. This decentralizing component was a fundamental factor in the CSIC's organizational model, which has an extensive network of centers in all of Spain's autonomous communities. In fact, the CSIC has now consolidated its position as the most important scientific institution in Spain, being recognized by Spaniards as the main reference point for science in the country.
Globally, the CSIC occupies a prominent place among the most important scientific institutions, being among the three most important in Europe and among the top ten in the world. Its prestige is indisputable and its influence continues to grow, consolidating its position as one of the cornerstones of science in Spain and a model of scientific excellence. With a team of nearly 15,000 people, the CSIC has been and continues to be a true engine of knowledge in scientific research, heir to a tradition that, although marked by the ideological diversity of its time, continues to drive development and innovation in the present.
