Four Catholic Philosophers: Rejoicing in the Truth (Jacques Maritain, Edith Stein, Dietrich von Hildebrand, Karol Wojtyła)
by Richard A. Spinello
This book unfolds the intersecting life stories of four important Catholic philosophers of the 20th century, namely, Jacques Maritain, Edith Stein, Dietrich von Hildebrand, and Karol Wojtyla, and examines the salient themes of their respective philosophies. Exploring the lives of these four individuals will unlock for the reader the nature of Catholic philosophy, which always aspires to a higher wisdom and the discovery of the hidden harmony of the universe. The spiritual itinerary of these faithful scholars is part of a larger story, therefore, of the intimate relationship between faith and reason that is at the heart of Catholic intellectual life.
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TESTIMONIALS
“This book traces developments in Catholic philosophy during the 20th century by examining in some depth the lives and works for four important thinkers. Despite some philosophical differences, these four— Maritain, Edith Stein, von Hildebrand, and Pope John Paul II— shared important influences. All four clashed (in different ways) with Nazis; all four were heavily influenced (again differently) by the thought of St Thomas Aquinas, and of course all four practiced an intense Catholic faith. Spinello’s writing is lively and perceptive; his handling of philosophical themes will challenge readers without losing them.” – Philip E. Lawler, Director, Catholic Culture, Editor, Catholic World News
“This book is an absolute gem – and a must read – for anyone who loves Philosophy. Rejoicing in the Truth is the perfect subtitle for this truly outstanding book that so beautifully and accessibly presents the profound intellectual and moral wisdom of, arguably, the four greatest Catholic philosophers of the 20th century: Jacques Maritain, Edith Stein, Dietrich von Hildebrand, and Karol Wojtyla (best remembered and revered as Saint Pope John Paul II).” – Elizabeth B. Rex, MBA, PhD, ThD (cand.), former Adjunct Professor of Bioethics at Holy Apostles College & Seminary, and former Adjunct Professor of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition at Sacred Heart University.
“With Richard Spinello’s book we have the inspiring stories of four philosophers, Jacques Maritain, Edith Stein, Dietrich von Hildebrandt, and Karol Wojtyla, who confronted twentieth century ideologies of tyrannical evil and inhumane abuse with heroic courage and principled reason. Their development as Catholic philosophers is contextualized within the turbulent politics and cultures through which they lived, which poignantly reveals the enduring strength of the unity of faith and reason as the genuine perennial philosophy. This is a timely work. Readers can have their understanding and appreciation of the ongoing relevance of Catholic thought heightened so that the perennial philosophy can be welcomed as a source of fortitude and hope for challenging today’s daunting cultural and political deprivations.” – Thomas A. Michaud, author of After Justice: Catholic Challenges to Progressive Culture, Politics, Economics and Education
“Richard A. Spinello has written on the joyful pursuit of truth of four Catholics known for their contribution to philosophy, and also to theology: Jacques Maritain, Edith Stein, Dietrich von Hildebrand, and Karol Wojtyła. May a reflective reading of this work inspire others to courageously set on the adventurous path of truth, which ultimately leads us to Jesus Christ. I highly recommend this book.” – Very Rev. Peter S. Kucer, MSA, President-Rector, Holy Apostles College & Seminary, Cromwell, CT, and author of Catholic Church History: Pre-Christian to Modern Times
“In Four Catholic Philosophers, Professor Spinello has provided clear and insightful expositions of four of the most outstanding Catholic philosophers of the twentieth century — two of whom are canonized saints. For those wishing to understand authentic philosophy, illuminated by faith and reason, this book is highly recommended.” – Robert Fastiggi, Ph.D. Professor of Dogmatic Theology, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit, Michigan, and co-editor of with Jane Adolphe of Clerical Sexual Misconduct, Vol 2: A Foundational Conversation
“This engrossing read about four recent Catholic philosophers effectively combines biography with exposition of ideas: along the way it highlights how their shared realistic, personalistic, and metaphysically open vision, one grounded in sapiential faith, interior prayer, and spiritual perfection, is a helpful corrective to the idealistic, functionalistic, and positivistic or postmodern meanderings of contemporary thought.” – Dr. Alan Vincelette, Wilfred L. and Mary Jane Von der Ahe Chair of Philosophy, St. John’s Seminary, and author of Recent Catholic Philosophy: The Twentieth Century and A Reader in Recent Catholic Philosophy
“What a joy to read a profound and clear book about great Catholic philosophers of the 20th Century!” – Dr. Ronda Chervin, Catholic Professor and author of The Way of Love: The Path of Inner Transformation
“In the course of the twentieth century, Catholic theology obviously underwent tremendous changes – for better or worse is not perhaps clear yet. But what is not as obvious as the theological changes were the equally important philosophical developments that underlay them. This book serves as an introduction to four of the philosophers whose intellectual activity lay at the center of the historical trajectory of twentieth-century Catholic thought. To understand their work is a first step to understanding what are the real issues confronting the Catholic mind as we are close to completing the first quarter of the new century.” – Dr. Thomas Storck, editor of Money, Markets and Morals: Catholic Perspectives on Economics and Finance
“Four Catholic Philosophers: Rejoicing in the Truth invites us into the personal, academic, philosophical, and theological life experiences, and subsequent writings, of four Catholic philosophers who emerge from the political and ideological wreckage of the 20th century as perhaps the clearest voices of truth, intertwining faith and reason, in a world often devoid of both.” – Kiki Latimer, co-author with Dr. Stephen Schwarz of Philosophy Begins in Wonder
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Richard A. Spinello is Professor of Management Practice at Boston College and a member of the adjunct faculty at St. John’s Seminary in Boston. He is the author of numerous scholarly articles on ethics and applied ethics. He has also edited or written fifteen books, including The Encyclicals of John Paul II: An Introduction and Commentary and The Splendor of Marriage: St. John Paul II’s Vision of Love, Marriage, Family, and the Culture of Life.
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