Spiritual Exercises and the Contemporary Academy

Spiritual Exercises and the Contemporary Academy

The work of Pierre Hadot and, in his later years, Michel Foucault on the ancient pagan and Christian practices of askesis, or “spiritual exercise,” has proven to be of interest not only to scholars of the late classical and early Christian era, but to a much broader range of humanists working across a variety of disciplines. One reason for this interest is the possibility that religious and non-religious contemporary academics might be able to incorporate the techniques and aims of spiritual exercise into their own scholarly work, thus imbuing their academic teaching and writing with an ethical, if not religious, […]

“Knowledge, Metaphysics, and the Information Explosion”

Benedict Ashley, OP (Aquinas Institute of Theology, Emeritus) Herman Sinaiko (University of Chicago, Emeritus) To some, in the information age, we seem to know more things, to communicate more effectively, and to better interrelate scientific disciplines. To others, however this  ‘information explosion’ has produced a miscommunication, a superficial acquaintance with trivial facts, and fragmentation of once-related disciplines. In light of this, Benedict Ashley and Herman Sinaiko will consider whether an Aristotelian ‘synthesis’ of the sciences might offer a means of integrating human knowledge.

“Eriugena: The Medieval Irish Genius Between Augustine and Aquinas”

“Eriugena: The Medieval Irish Genius Between Augustine and Aquinas”

The Carolingian thinker Johannes Scottus Eriugena (810-877CE) is the author of numerous philosophical and theological works. Most famous among them is the Periphyseon or On Natures (864-866CE), a metaphysical dialogue drawing on the Greek and Latin patristic and classical traditions. Having been falsely condemned because of pantheism in 1225, Eriugena was only seriously studied in the twentieth century, which saw a major effort to complete all the critical editions of his works (until 2005). With all the modern tools in place, it is time to map out a vista of what the tradition of medieval Western thought would have looked like, had he not been excised […]

A Philosophical Reading of the Prodigal Son

A Philosophical Reading of the Prodigal Son

While the parable of the prodigal son has traditionally been read as a story about a wayward son in need of repentance or the conflict of two siblings over their just treatment, Hart will suggest that the father is the central character of the narrative. The phenomenological tradition is employed to shift the theological perspective of the parable toward a vision of the kingdom of God imagined through the forgiveness and unconditional love of the Father. This lecture was co-sponsored by the University of Chicago Theology Workshop.

Virtue, Action, and Reason: A Conference in Honor of Anselm Müller

The University of Chicago Philosophy Department will host a conference entitled, “Virtue, Action, and Reason” in honor of the Spring 2011 Lumen Christi visiting fellow, Anselm Müeller. The Lumen Christi Institute, along with a number of other institutes on campus, are delighted to act as conference co-sponsors. The publication of Elizabeth Anscombe Modern Moral Philosophy in 1958 is often taken to mark a watershed event in analytic philosophical ethics. In this justly famous paper, Anscombe laid out three controversial theses. First, she argued that philosophers should not do moral theory until they have worked out an adequate philosophy of action and […]

“The Dignity of Being a Substance”

Metaphysics and the Soul in Thomas Aquinas

Co-sponsored by the Committee on Social Thought and the Program in Medieval Studies Thomas Aquinas characterized the person as “what is most perfect” and “most worthy” in all of nature. What grounds the dignity of the human being as a person? While in our day a metaphysical approach to the question is undervalued, this lecture attempts to show the value of such an approach in terms of “substance” and “nature.”

“The Importance of Elizabeth Anscombe”

Co-sponsored by the Department of Philosophy TO LISTEN: right click on below links to download or open in new window “The Importance of Elizabeth Anscombe,” Anselm Mueller (part 1) “The Importance of Elizabeth Anscombe,” Anselm Mueller (part 2) “The Importance of Elizabeth Anscombe,” Anselm Mueller (part 3) Elizabeth Anscombe has become known as a pupil and literary executor of Wittgenstein, but also as a defender of conservative views on questions of morality. A. W. Müeller will suggest that she has contributed to current intellectual life in three ways: 1) by initiating a philosophy of action that helps us to argue responsibly about moral […]

“From Natural Law to Human Rights in Jewish Thought”

Co-sponsored by the Ethics Club and Jewish Studies and the Hebrew Bible Workshop TO LISTEN: right click on below links to download or open in new window “From Natural Law to Human Rights in Jewish Thought,” David Novak (part 1) “From Natural Law to Human Rights in Jewish Thought,” David Novak (part 2) “From Natural Law to Human Rights in Jewish Thought,” David Novak (part 3)

“Right Reason”

“Right Reason”

Co-sponsored by the Ancient Philosophy Workshop and the Practical Philosophy Workshop