Tuesday, December 20, 2005
OT 15: The Study of Philosophy
Optatam Totius 15:
The philosophical disciplines are to be taught in such a way that the students are first of all led to acquire a solid and coherent knowledge of man, the world, and of God, relying on a philosophical patrimony which is perennially valid and taking into account the philosophical investigations of later ages.
Okay. Like many other Vatican II teachings, the notion of continuity with the past, yet an openness to the present.
This is especially true of those investigations which exercise a greater influence in their own nations. Account should also be taken of the more recent progress of the sciences. The net result should be that the students, correctly understanding the characteristics of the contemporary mind, will be duly prepared for dialogue with men of their time.
Another neo-con cuss word: dialogue. What does it mean? The context in this document is that the priest needs to be prepared for flexibility in dealing with people. Rather than see non-Catholics as adversaries, dialogue implies a quiet confidence about the Gospel and the way of life it demands. The Christian message is (or could be) so strong, so self-evident, that dialogue is initiated by non-believers. When that happens, apply honey, not vinegar, I suppose.
The history of philosophy should be so taught that the students, while reaching the ultimate principles of the various systems, will hold on to what is proven to be true therein and will be able to detect the roots of errors and to refute them. In the very manner of teaching there should be stirred up in the students a love of rigorously searching for the truth and of maintaining and demonstrating it, together with an honest recognition of the limits of human knowledge. Attention must be carefully drawn to the necessary connection between philosophy and the true problems of life, as well as the questions which preoccupy the minds of the students. Likewise students should be helped to perceive the links between the subject-matter of philosophy and the mysteries of salvation which are considered in theology under the higher light of faith.
Only mentioning the integration of the affective and the intellectual in that phrase, "a love of rigorously searching for the truth." Do we see ourselves as messengers for the truth? Or does our own need for performance get in the way?
Thoughts?
