Frei Betto delivered a conference at the Raúl Roa Higher Institute of International Relations, in Havana 

Havana, Feb 22 (RHC) The prominent Brazilian writer and theologian Frei Betto today delivered in Havana a conference titled Cultural and Ethical Diversity.

At the beginning of his talk at the Raúl Roa García Higher Institute of International Relations, the notable intellectual invited the students of that institution to promote the habit of reading.

In this sense, he urged people to read José Martí, Fernando Ortiz, Fidel Castro’s La historia me absolverá, as well as all the texts produced by the Commander in Chief throughout the Revolution.

Betto expressed that cultures and their expressions are very different around the world, and called to deal with them from respect and not toleration. He also mentioned that culture comes from the dialogue of human beings with nature.

In his opinion, we must have pedagogy and diplomacy when we help raise awareness in other nations about the taboos that do not correspond to the advances of Human Rights.

To understand the dimension of culture, he referred to the autobiography of the philanthropist and former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela, and the more than 300 languages ​​that, along with Portuguese, are spoken in Brazil.

When referring to ethics, the theologian considered that in literature many identify it with morality, whereas he makes the distinction between morality -the customs of each town and community- and ethics, which has universal values.

He specified that ethics has many origins, but the most historically significant point is in Socrates, who rejected religion as a source of ethics, which is why he was sentenced to death.

The meeting accompanies the 32nd Havana International Book Fair, which is running until February 25 and has Brazil as guest of honor. (Fuente: PL)