Comments for On Philosophical Eros at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 10 out of 10 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Sat, 25 May 2013 07:58:02 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/on-philosophical-eros.html#comment-14928 @senex: Let me reinforce what Bob Royal said in his editor's note at the top of the column. Fr. Schall has retired from his teaching position at Georgetown. He has not stepped aside from The Catholic Thing, and you'll be able to read him here every other Tuesday. - Brad Miner Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:16:21 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/on-philosophical-eros.html#comment-14924 The Last Hurrah of Fr. Schall (TCT, 12-11-12) reiterated the message that I have seen consistently in his writings, especially on TCT: “Truth is that which is.”, not opinions, desires, consensus, probabilities, poll results, etc., not even facts (because facts can be false in their conclusions and implications). He has consistently had the courage to challenge the emperors who have no clothes: the politicians, academics, the opinion makers and dissident Catholics. We will miss you, Father, and the inspiration that you have given us to pursue the truth wherever it may lead. - senex Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:33:02 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/on-philosophical-eros.html#comment-14912 Your careful work drawing the lines and correspondences between reason and revelation have been of incalculable guidance to me and to my students. The strength of your character and the shine of your soul raises my hope and quickens my heart. Thank you, Fr. Schall. Gratefully, Ginny - Virginia Arbery Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:16:40 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/on-philosophical-eros.html#comment-14889 God Bless You Father! I look forward to your continued writings here! Jack - Jack,CT Tue, 11 Dec 2012 08:00:33 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/on-philosophical-eros.html#comment-14888 I love Fr. Schall. He speaks the language of the academia. Another priest who uses more modern language but communicates this same message is Fr. Ronald Rohlheiser. His book: "The Holy Longing" was for me - a breakthrough moment in my spiritual life...a realization that the hunger in my soul for Truth, a hunger that was virtually insatiable, a hunger which brought tears when it touched my heart through music, or a sunset, or my love for my children...was what Fr. Schall refers to as 'philosophical eros'. Thanks to Rohlheiser - I got a translation-language, a first step, to not only understand Fr. Schall, but embrace his wisdom with joy, gratitude and wonder. May all of us who live in Christ grow into BEING souls, filled with THY glory, O Lord. - Diane Peske Tue, 11 Dec 2012 05:52:18 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/on-philosophical-eros.html#comment-14887 The most important question of our time: Can moral absolutes be re-established in a society where moral relativism has become the law of the land? - William Manley Tue, 11 Dec 2012 05:05:32 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/on-philosophical-eros.html#comment-14886 Any "progressive" project in history has led to an environment in which no two groups can agree upon a single truth. They always suggest this mass disagreement will somehow lead to utopia but it doesn't, it leads to the rise of the pragmatist--whoever is the most ruthless is silently assented to by the (fed up with bickering) majority, and proceeds to marginalize and delegitimize the minority opposition. Your current Pragmatist in Chief most certainly believes in truth, whatever he says in public. He's working for the 52-55% majority and their cold, calculating, rational plan involves breaking the back of the minority. But they believe in truth. They believe it's true that a woman should be able to kill her child and that people with morals should just go on working hard and paying for the people who don't have them, no matter how close society comes to the brink. - Jacob Tue, 11 Dec 2012 04:21:19 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/on-philosophical-eros.html#comment-14883 Huzzah for Fr Schall! Ad Multos Annos! - Stephen MacLean Tue, 11 Dec 2012 03:20:12 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/on-philosophical-eros.html#comment-14881 If you love and pursue the truth your passion will conseive and your Father will be your mother and your progeny will be Christ who is in all and is all, and the truth shall set you free . Thank you for your thoughtful essay. May we learn from the consequences of our sins that the folly of God is wiser than the wisdom of men . - Richard Smiley Tue, 11 Dec 2012 01:57:16 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/on-philosophical-eros.html#comment-14880 Diogenes Laertius relates a "happy saying" of Aristotle's in his "Lives of Eminent Philosophers," (Book V, Ch 1, §17): "To the question, 'What do people gain by telling lies?' his answer was, 'Just this, that when they speak the truth they are not believed.'" All our institutions lose credibility through the implementation of relativized ethical standards. But, as we've seen from the examples of Islamic politics, the solution is not the imposition of blasphemy codes. These are simply irrational and barbaric, and in the end no more satisfactory to what Fr. Schall terms "philosophical eros" than relativism. The centrality of Reason in the pursuit of Truth is what makes communication (and persuasion) possible. Without Reason, we end up with irrational rules or irrational relativism. Such practices are inimical to the Roman Catholic mind. - Ib Tue, 11 Dec 2012 01:55:06 +0100