Author: Kleiner

Noted Catholic scholar Fr. Richard John Neuhaus has died.  Perhaps best known as the founder and editor of the monthly journal of Catholic philosophy/theology/culture critique called First Things, he also made his mark with his book ‘The Naked Public Square’ (1984 but still one of the best books on the place of religion in the public square).  He was a prolific writer, a very clear mind, and with George Weigel and Michael Novak was probably the best known ‘Whig Thomist’ (who wish to synthesize the politics of modernity with Catholicism, as opposed to the ‘Communio School’ or ‘Augustinian Thomists’ like Alasdair MacInture who see the liberal tradition of rights talk as hopelessly modern and incompatible with Thomist and Catholic  views of person/community).

I am personally quite sad over it.  Neuhaus’ brilliant book ‘Death on a Friday Afternoon’ is something I read every Lent.  It is a penetrating and personal series of meditations on the last words of Christ, informed by thinkers from Augustine to Renee Girard.  I would recommend it highly to both Christians and non-Christians, anyone who wants a thoughtful reflection on why Christians think Good Friday is the center of everything.

Here is an article by Stanley Fish called ‘Professor, Do Your Job’ which essentially argues that colleges should do only professional instruction, that universities should have nothing to do with educating moral and civic capacities.

Here is a rebuttal piece, arguing that while Fish’s annoyance at the peddling of political ideology from the lectern is justified, he goes too far.  One cannot take the moral and social significance out of education.

Here is an article by George Weigel discussing this recently released Catholic document on bio-ethics called Dignitas Personae (The Dignity of the Person).  Fertility technologies, genetic engineering, cloning and embryonic research are all considered.  

The document is typically Catholic, advocating a robust synthesis between faith and reason and focusing steadfastly on the dignity of the human person.  It is in no way ‘anti-science’, calling ‘science an invaluable service to the integral good of the life and dignity of every human being.’  But science must be unconditional in her respect for the dignity of all human persons.  Science uninformed by humanity is simply a tool for ever grosser tyranny.

Just in time for new year resolutions, this NY Times article reviews some studies that show that religious devotion promotes human flourishing (the article focuses on self-control).  Walking in the light of Truth is worthwhile for its own sake of course, but it turns out that religious people are more charitable, have better marriages, more self-control, do better in school, and are generally happier.

Those that took the Plato class, those interested in Continental philosophy, political philosophy, or people just generally interested in philosophy will be excited about this upcoming event:

I have a DVD of a few panel discussions from a conference held at York University in 1978.  The discussions are amusing and incredibly interesting.  I thought we would start with a panel on ‘Reading the Republic’.  There are some very heavy hitters on the panel – Eric Voegelin, Hans-Georg Gadamer, Allen Bloom, and Frederick Lawrence (a prof of mine at BC).  

The panel discussion is 2 hours, and I thought we would want an hour or so to discuss it.  So that is a longer event than usual.  I suppose we could break it up, but  the discussion holds together best in one viewing I think.  

Please post suggestions about the day of the week that is most convenient for a longer philosophy event, as well as the time.  4-7pm?  3-6?  6-9?  I suppose we could order a pizza.  …  A week or so into the semester I will schedule it.  If there is interest, we could schedule the other 2 things on the DVD (an hour-long lecture by Voegelin on the ‘Structures of Consciousness’ and another panel discussion on reading and criticism).