Consolation used to have a pivotal place in philosophy. This was not only the case with Boetheius. He came at the tail end of a long tradition of philosophy and theology as a way of life. This was a way of life (Hadot) that was supposed to console its adherents (Platonists, Aristotelians, Stoics, and yes, Christians) by guiding them through the travails of life. The commonplace is that consolation has had a bad name at least since Kant. The stereotype... Read more
This is a continuation of yesterday’s post on Catholicism and contemporary French philosophy. If you’re curious about how continental philosophy is faring in American universities take a look at the following link from Philosophy News. The debate whether theology has a place in phenomenology has preoccupied the minds of France’s best thinkers for the better part of the last two, maybe three, decades. The books I list below are a testament to the sort of hearty debate that’s taking place... Read more
If we apply the principle of “Ye shall know them by their fruits,” then it seems Derrida was more a theologian than a conservative. Peter Blum recently argued at the Imaginative Conservative that Derrida, because of his painstaking attention to close reading and commentary, was something of a conservative. Other than Lynne Cheney’s protracted engagement with Foucault in Telling the Truth and Fukuyama’s apotheosis of Kojeve in The End of History and the Last Man I don’t know of any lasting influence of... Read more
Peter Nguyen is translating the work of Alfred Delp on his blog. The following is an excerpt from Delp’s writings previously published writings in English. It’s from the collection The Prison Meditations of Father Delp. Alfred Delp: Berlin, Tegel Prison, 1944 The People of Advent: Advent is the time for rousing. Man is shaken to the very depths, so that he may wake up to the truth of himself. The primary condition for a fruitful and rewarding Advent is renunciation, surrender.... Read more
I’d like to share with you an excerpt from Scott Dodge‘s post from last year: “Even given the popularity of Steven Spielberg’s movie Lincoln, not to mention Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, it seems that you can’t take too much for granted these days, especially when it comes to knowledge of history, which, along with the other humanities seems to be on the wane. So, for those who are unaware, Thanksgiving was declared and became a national holiday in the United... Read more
Today is a busy day, so I’ll have to confine myself to some quick remarks. While I’m not theologically set against evolution in a way that the topic of my dissertation (Czeslaw Milosz) was, I am fascinated by books that deal with the unique problems of conceptualization and language that it poses for theology. The books in the Cosmos TOP 10 Science and Religion list have helped me think some of these things through. But we won’t be talking about... Read more
Today is the anniversary of the death of a long overlooked figure in American Catholicism whose underground influence touched many. But let’s forget that for a minute. We’ll take an artistic detour first. Exactly one week ago I went to a lecture sponsored by IMAGE Journal on the work of long-forgotten American painter John La Farge (1835-1910). He was an American painter, whatever people call those who make stained-glass windows, and he decorated interiors–both private homes and churches such as... Read more
Those of you who are students at the University of Washington should consider enrolling in this class next quarter. If you know students, suggest that they register. This will be an eye-opening class. Here’s are some of the problems you will get to explore: This course asks, “What do we mean by religion in America, and why does it matter to our society?” We will explore this question by looking at the different groups that have migrated to America... Read more
I’m a sucker for opening salvos in books. If you can pull me into a book in the introduction, I’ll stay with you even if you fall flat on what the introductions promises. Take heed all you aspiring book writers. Half the job is pulling people in. Who can forget Foucault retelling the story of how Damiens was dismembered at the beginning of Discipline and Punish? Once you’re encountered the chatty narrator of Calvino’s If on a winter’s night a traveler telling... Read more
[Read about Sartre, Camus, Warhol, Hitchcock, and Heidegger in the “Famous Atheists Who Weren’t Atheists” archive.] David Tracy’s Blessed Rage for Order introduced me to what would subsequently become one of my very favorite poems: “The Idea of Order at Key West” Wallace Stevens [Listen to Stevens reading it here] She sang beyond the genius of the sea. The water never formed to mind or voice, Like a body wholly body, fluttering Its empty sleeves; and yet its mimic motion... Read more
Cosmos The In Lost
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