torretti received a doctorate from the university of freiburg under the supervision of wilhelm szilasi in 1954. shortly after he began lecturing in philosophy and psychology at the institute of education of the university of chile in valparaíso. he also worked for the united nations before commencing an academic career that lasted for more than forty years, during which he taught philosophy in the university of puerto rico and the university of chile. torretti is currently professor emeritus of the university of puerto rico, and a member of the "institut international de philosophie". in april 2005 torretti was awarded an honorary doctorate by the universitat autonoma de barcelona in spain. torretti resides in santiago, chile and is married to the academic and philosopher carla cordua. in september 2011 cordua and torretti were jointly awarded the national prize for humanities and social sciences by the republic of chile.