João Lobo Antunes: a ciência e a arte

Inspired by Fernando Pessoa, the poet that he so much appreciated, I've entitled this short reflection "João Lobo Antunes –Science and Art", because the renowned surgeon, whose memory I want to evoke, was a prominent voice both in the area of Science and of the Humanities. One can even say that he was a real humanist who combined the subjectivity of the art with scientific objectivity, being, maybe therefore, one of the most dazzling spirits of his time. After some references to his biography, it is mentioned that he is the author of six books and of more that one hundred and fifty scientific articles, and among them I distinguish the one in which – with his usual originality – he spoke of the medical profession. Because it is a less well-known aspect, references are also made to his relationship to "Fulbrighters Portugal – Alumni Association" and to the fact that the characteristics of that institution also reveal features of his way of "listening with other eyes". Consequently, among other activities, he accepted to collaborate in the Fulbright Alumni,Conferences,presenting, with the usual virtuosity, a paper entitled "A New University in Lisbon", on the theme of the union of the University of Lisbon with the Technical University, a very impressive project of educational reorganization in which he was involved with his customary accomplishment.