Ever Ancient, Ever New: Ruminations on the City, the Soul, and the Church (Ernest L. Fortin: Collected Essays, 4) - Hardcover

Fortin, Ernest L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 074255919X ISBN 13: 9780742559196

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2007

Synopsis

More than any other thinker in the twentieth century, Ernest L. Fortin, A.A. (1923-2002) resuscitated the study of political philosophy for Catholic theology. Fortin's interests and accomplishments were vast, ranging from the Church Fathers, to Dante and Aquinas, to modern rights, American democracy, and Catholic social justice. His dispassionate scholarly heft was animated by a pressing drive to understand and rise above the crises of our times, and it was applied with a gingerly and accessible touch. Consequently, Fortin's writings are among the most lucid, perceptive, and enjoyable that one will ever read.

Ever Ancient Ever New is the fourth and final volume of Ernest Fortin's collected essays, compiled and edited after his death by his archivist and student Michael Foley. While it echoes the themes of the earlier three volumes-showcasing the essays that made Fortin such an authority in his field-Ever Ancient Ever New also includes articles never before published as well as articles on topics not represented in the earlier collections. Ever Ancient Ever New is indispensable for anyone wishing to continue their education in the wit and wisdom of Ernest Fortin or to begin learning from him for the first time.

About this title

About the Author

Michael P. Foley is Assistant Professor of Patristics in the Great Texts Program at Baylor University, where he has been teaching since 2004. He is co-editor of Gladly to Learn and Gladly to Teach: Essays on Religion and Political Philosophy in Honor of Ernest L. Fortin, A.A.

Review

Such deep and wide learning is rare enough. But the cumulative effect of bringing together all these valuable contributions is to let us see something rarer still: the life of a mind that is humane, lucid, and wise. (Mary Ann Glendon, Learned Hand Professor of Law, Harvard University, former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See)

Ernest Fortin has a place of honor at the table of quiet erudition and uncompromising curiosity, where adults try to understand how the world went crazy and what might be done about it. If we are ever so much more fortunate than we deserve, younger scholars will follow Fortin in what is best described as the path of wisdom. (Rev. Richard John Neuhaus, First Things)

The first three volumes of Ernest Fortin's works are fundamental contributions to the problem of modernity. In his analysis of rights, Catholic social thought, the state, and general questions of justice, Fortin has penetrated to the core of the misplaced ideologies and enthusiasms that have appeared in religious circles. The welcome fourth volume of Fortin's works again covers the vast range that a political philosopher-theologian must cover to make the whole intelligible. Fortin's essays are a direct challenge to, and redirection of, the major trends in political philosophy in the modern era. Few writing in intellectual circles today have Fortin's breadth of interest and profundity of analysis; his grasp of the classics and of modern theory is incomparable. Fortin is one of the few thinkers who take everything into consideration-experience, history, philosophy, revelation, the tradition of reason. His is a remarkable example of an active philosophic mind at work which knows that the pursuit of truth is both difficult and exhilarating. Fortin's works are not to be missed. (James V. Schall, S.J., Georgetown University)

Provide[s] readers with a personal and inside look at the man so many admired and loved. (Summaries and Comments / Brandon Zimmerman and Staff, September 2008)

This fourth volume of the papers of the late Father Fortin underscores what a loss it is no longer to have him among us. This is simply the obverse of realizing what a blessing he was; and through his writings he will continue to influence, stimulate, and delight. And another thought comes: 'The Importance of Being Ernest' could be the title of the whole collection. Many thanks to Brian Benestad and Michael Foley. (Ralph McInerny, University of Notre Dame)

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 074255919X
• ISBN 13: 9780742559196
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 388
• Editor: Foley Baylor University Michael P.