Jacques Maritain was een vooraanstaand figuur in de katholieke intellectuele opleving, die de principes van de scholastiek toepaste op hedendaagse problemen. Hoewel hij metafysica als centraal voor de beschaving beschouwde en een Thomistische positie innam, engageerde hij zich volledig met de intellectuele stromingen van zijn tijd. Maritain formuleerde een veerkrachtig en vitaal Thomisme dat door heel Europa en Amerika weerklank vond. Zijn latere geschriften boden kritiek op ontwikkelingen binnen de Kerk, met nadruk op de verdediging van traditionele christelijke doctrines.
At eighty-five, Jacques Maritain presents a bold critique of contemporary society, positioning himself as a straightforward "peasant" unafraid to speak his mind. His final work sparked significant controversy upon its release in France, challenging both conservative and liberal ideologies. Maritain's candid observations and philosophical insights reveal his deep concerns about the moral and cultural landscape, making this book a provocative reflection on the state of the world.
Jacques Maritain's first book serves as a sharp critique of Henri Bergson's philosophy, showcasing Maritain's deep understanding of St. Thomas Aquinas and its relevance to contemporary thought. Written in 1913, it reflects Maritain's intellectual journey, influenced by Bergson's lectures that initially offered him a defense of metaphysics during a period of despair. The work stands out for its youthful intensity, as Maritain confronts the shortcomings of Bergson's ideas through the lens of Thomism. A later preface reveals a more tempered perspective, highlighting Maritain's growth as a philosopher.
Exploring the intersection of intuition and philosophy, the author examines St. Thomas Aquinas's five ways to God while introducing a "sixth way" rooted in the intellect's spiritual nature. The work delves into themes of poetic creativity, moral experience, and the insights of moral exemplars. With clear and engaging arguments, it highlights the diverse paths to understanding the divine, appealing not only to Roman Catholic perspectives but also to a broader audience interested in philosophical theism.
Presenting with moving insight the relations between man, as a person and as
an individual, and the society of which he is a part, Maritain's treatment of
a lasting topic speaks to this generation as well as those to come.
The three books in this volume were written in France in the early 1930s.
Maritain discusses issues such as the relationship between freedom and
religion, the opposition of democracy to any form of totalitarianism, the
relationship between spirituality and temporality, and how Christian
civilization is in opposition to communism and capitalism.
Jacques Maritain was deeply engaged in the intellectual and political life of France through the turbulent decades that included the two world wars. Accordingly, his philosophical reflections often focus on an attempt to discover man's role in sustaining a social and political order that seeks and maintains both liberty and peace. "Scholasticism and Politics", first published in 1940, is a collection of nine lectures Maritain delivered at the University of Chicago in 1938. While the lectures address a variety of diverse topics, they explore three broad topics: 1) the nature of modern culture, its relationship to Christianity, and the origins of the crisis which has engulfed it; 2) the true nature and authentic foundations of human freedom and dignity and the threats posed to them by the various materialist and naturalistic philosophies that dominate the modern cultural scene; and 3) the principles that provide the authentic foundation of a social order in accord with human dignity. Maritain championed the cause of what he called personalist democracy -- a regime committed to popular sovereignty, constitutionalism, limited government, and individual freedom. He believed a personalist democracy offered the modern world the possibility of a political order most in keeping with the demands of human dignity, Christian values, and the common good.
The book features an "Essay on Christian Existentialism" that explores profound philosophical themes relevant to the post-war context of Europe. Written in 1947, it reflects on the challenges of a recovering continent amid the emerging Cold War. With five concise chapters, Maritain's work has garnered attention from notable intellectuals, establishing him as a pivotal figure in Roman Catholic philosophy. His approach is characterized by a sensitivity to contemporary issues, making complex ideas accessible and engaging for readers.
The exploration of knowledge in this work is divided into two distinct parts. The first part focuses on rational knowledge, examining the degrees of knowledge relevant to science and philosophy. The second part shifts to super-rational knowledge, delving into the complexities of religious faith and mysticism. Maritain emphasizes the varying kinds and orders of knowledge, highlighting how the nature of what is to be known and the degree of abstraction influence understanding.
Grounded in the Thomistic Revival, this work presents a clear and accessible guide to philosophy, emphasizing reason and its relevance to contemporary issues. Drawing on the teachings of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas, it distinguishes itself from mere theological discourse, aiming to engage readers in critical thinking. Originally published in 1931, this classic has remained influential, making it a valuable resource for both students and general readers seeking to understand the essence of philosophical inquiry.
