Catholicism and the Making of Continental Philosophy with Edward Baring
Dec 8, 2021
auto_awesome
Edward Baring, an intellectual historian, discusses his book on the influence of Catholicism on 20th-century European philosophers. They explore the role of Catholicism in the development of continental philosophy and its impact on philosopher Jacques Derrida's ideas. The guest also delves into the divide within the Catholic Church during a specific historical context and the relationship between Catholicism and Heideggerian philosophy. They conclude by mentioning the speaker's new project on Marxism.
The Catholic Church sought to demonstrate compatibility between Thomism and modern science by embracing phenomenology, particularly Husserl's ideas.
Heidegger was initially hopeful of aligning his philosophy with Catholic thought but turned towards an atheistic ontology, critiquing traditional Catholic philosophy.
Some Catholics sought to find theological possibilities within Heidegger's philosophy, reinterpreting it through a Catholic lens and extracting theistic implications.
Deep dives
The Progressive Project and Engaging Modernity
The Catholic Church embarked on a progressive project to engage with modernity and convert modern thinkers to Catholicism. Progressive Catholics sought to demonstrate the compatibility between Thomism and modern science, emphasizing the realism and rationality of Thomistic philosophy. They saw phenomenology, particularly Husserl's ideas, as a way to establish a connection between Catholicism and mainstream philosophy. However, as Husserl's ideas evolved, with the introduction of his concept of constituting subjectivity, tensions arose within Catholic circles. The emphasis on the constituting subject and the rejection of an extra-mental world challenged the foundational basis for a cosmological proof and disheartened some Catholics. The division between those who saw phenomenology as leading to Catholicism and those who felt it undermined traditional Catholic beliefs became apparent.
Heidegger's Conversion and Atheistic Direction
Heidegger, initially engaged with Catholicism and had hopes of taking a Catholic philosophy chair but faced disappointment. He embraced Husserl's ideas, initially hoping that they aligned with Catholic thought. However, as Husserl's phenomenology turned towards the emphasis on the constituting subject, Heidegger's aspirations for the chair were dashed. Feeling marginalized, Heidegger delved deeper into existential ontology, an ontology of existence. He argued for the need to focus on the concrete human subject and critiqued traditional Catholic philosophy centered on dogmatic enclosures and proofs. Disillusioned with the limitations of Thomism and the ontological arguments for God's existence, Heidegger embraced an atheistic philosophy that aimed to bracket off theistic concerns entirely.
The Reaffirmation of Heideggerian Philosophy in a Catholic Context
While Heidegger's atheistic turn initially alienated Catholics, some sought to find theological possibilities within his philosophy. They recognized the importance of his focus on existence and being but wanted to reinterpret it through a Catholic lens. They explored ideas such as the notion of being thrown into the world as a sign of a divine thrower and the existential angst reflecting a yearning for God. By separating Heidegger's philosophy from its Protestant influences, these Catholics proposed theological readings of his work. They aimed to extract the theistic implications from Heidegger's philosophy and find compatibility with Catholic theology.
The Influence of Husserl on Catholicism
Husserl's shift away from his earlier work has prompted critical responses from Catholics. Catholics have grappled with how to engage with these changes and have proposed various strategies. Edith Stein suggests emphasizing a concrete subject imbued with faith. Another approach is to supplement phenomenology with metaphysics, as seen in John Paul II's work. Additionally, some Catholics argue for an existential philosophy that describes the existing world. Despite differing responses, there is a recognition of the importance of engaging with modern thought.
The Historical and Social Context
The historical and social context of the early 20th century, including World War I and the rise of fascism, played a role in shaping the Catholic response to philosophical debates. The war heightened skepticism about modernity and prompted a return to religious origins. Fascism, on the other hand, presented challenges in aligning with authoritarianism and pagan ideologies. The Catholic Church itself exhibited philosophical diversity, with various factions expressing differing views on engagement with secular philosophy. Context and institutions have influenced the primacy of secular philosophy over Catholic philosophy in contemporary times.
Edward Baring is an intellectual historian specializing in twentieth-century Europe. He is Associate Professor of History and Human Values at Princeton University. In this episode we discuss his book Converts to the Real: Catholicism and the Making of Continental Philosophy, alongside discussions on Heidegger, Maritain, Edith Stein, Husserl, Phenomenology and more.
