Faith & the Life of the Intellect

Is it possible to be both a religious believer and a professional philosopher? This book brings together a distinguished group of Catholic philosophers concerned with the intriguing question of the proper relationship between faith and the life of the intellect. The contributors raise and discuss, from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and philosophical and religious interests, the central question of how philosophers who are religious believers deal with the relationship between their religious beliefs and their research and scholarly work. The essays consider such questions as: What is the correct relationship between one's religion and one's research aims and objectives? Does one's religious belief complement, or conflict with, one's scholarship and teaching? To what extent are Christian philosophers motivated in their work by religious faith?

This book is the first to introduce the long and rich Catholic tradition and perspective into the broader debate concerning faith and the life of the intellect. The contributors--younger scholars and older scholars, liberals and conservatives, priests, consecrated religious, and lay people, men and women--offer personal reflections on the way in which faith and philosophy are integrated in their own lives. Many of the authors discuss those events and experiences that helped shape their responses to the general issue of faith seeking understanding.

"For Christians who cannot help thinking about the truth of what they believe to be true, the philosophical task is inescapable. The authors of this book represent different 'schools' of philosophy, but for each the life of faith and the life of the intellect is one life. Which is how it must be, if ever we are to overcome the tragic bifurcation of recent centuries and restore to public reason wisdom and wonder."--From the Foreword by Richard John Neuhaus

Curtis L. Hancock is Professor of Philosophy at Rockhurst University, coauthor of How Should I Live? and coeditor of Freedom, Virtue and the Common Good. Brendan Sweetman is Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Rockhurst University, and coeditor of Contemporary Perspectives on Religious Epistemology. Hancock and Sweetman are coauthors of Truth and Religious Belief.

Contributors

Patrick L. Bourgeois, John D. Caputo, Jude P. Dougherty, Thomas R. Flynn, Curtis L. Hancock, Mary Elizabeth Ingham, C.S.J., Ralph McInerny, Richard John Neuhuas, Alice Ramos, Peter A. Redpath, Mary F. Rousseau, James V. Schall, S.J., and Brendan Sweetman

Praise for the book:

" Speaking as Catholic philosophers, these authors cite texts, mentors, and career decisions which significantly influenced their growth. Readers who are Catholic philosophers will be able to identify readily with many of these references and thereby personalize the authors' stories of their integration of faith and philosophy. It is these stories which not only instruct but can also edify.... Given the timeliness of this collection for Catholic philosophy professors in need of intellectual and moral support, one hopes that there will be a follow-up volume with more authors' stories. It is indeed such stories which most poignantly inspire Catholic philosophers to continue philosophandum in fide."--Thomas A. Michaud, Review of Metaphysics

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An insightful examination of the way Christian scholars integrate their religious faith with their professional life. Readers will find that these essays go far in challenging the prevailing suspicion between reason and faith by drawing on the enormous resources of the Catholic tradition."--Linda Zagzebski, Kingfisher College Chair of the Philosophy of Religion and Ethics, University of Oklahoma

"Thought-provoking. The list of authors is impressive. This valuable collection will be sure to stimulate debate

Curtis L. Hancock is Professor of Philosophy at Rockhurst University, coauthor of "How Should I Live?" and coeditor of "Freedom, Virtue and the Common Good." Brendan Sweetman is Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Rockhurst University, and coeditor of "Contemporary Perspectives on Religious Epistemology." Hancock and Sweetman are coauthors of "Truth and Religious Belief."