UNIVERSITY – Diana Di Segni is a Knight of Merit

Diana Di Segni is a young lecturer in Medieval Jewish and Arabic Philosophy at the University of Milan La Statale, an expert on Moses Maimonides (1138-1204). A critical edition of the Latin translation of the second book of the Dux neutrorum vel dubiorum (The Guide of the Perplexed), the supreme work of the Jewish scholar born in Cordova and died in Egypt, a bridging figure between the two worlds at a time of significant mutual interpenetration, earned her the Thomas Ricklin International Prize last year.
The official motivation for the recognition has yet to arrive, but Di Segni has meanwhile learned that after several awards in academia, it will now be the Italian Head of State who will certify the importance of her studies by awarding her the title of Knight of Merit on Republic Day, June 2. The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic is highest-ranking honor in the country and is awarded for “merit acquired by the nation” in the fields of literature, the arts, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic and humanitarian activities and for long and conspicuous service in civilian and military careers. “I did not expect it,” said Di Segni, who is originally from Rome but moved to Milan about two and a half years ago. She has an impressive international resume behind her, with study and teaching experiences in Germany, France and Israel. “The Italian presidency is not an academic institution, so the fact that this gesture of attention came outside a certain ‘bubble’ is of particular significance to me. It is also a confirmation of the role played by teaching and philosophy in contemporary times.”

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