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Class 17: Spirituality and Philosophy in France

Class 17: Spirituality and Philosophy in France. Ann T. Orlando 22 February 2006. Introduction. Francis de Sales Descartes Philosophy and Theology: Pascal Midterm Review. St Francis de Sales (1567-1622). Born in eastern France, educated by Jesuits

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Class 17: Spirituality and Philosophy in France

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  1. Class 17: Spirituality and Philosophy in France Ann T. Orlando 22 February 2006

  2. Introduction • Francis de Sales • Descartes • Philosophy and Theology: Pascal • Midterm Review

  3. St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) • Born in eastern France, educated by Jesuits • As a young man studying theology, we was very concerned about predestination • In prayer before a statue of Mary, his fears were relieved • Decided to lead a celibate life • Over his father’s objection entered ecclesial life • As a priest he was known for the insight of his confessions, and the force of his preaching • He was named bishop of Geneva (in absentia) in 1602 • Lived a very simple life as bishop • Great care for poor • Known for kindness • Along with St, Jean de Chantal founded Visitation sisters • Started catechetical programs for lay people • Died praying “God’s will be done; Jesus my God and my all” • Canonized 1665; declared doctor of Church 1877

  4. Introduction to the Devout Life • Hugely influential in his own time • Introduction was translated into every European language almost immediately • Why such an impact then (and now) • Written for layman (really woman) • Written in a spirit of understanding and gentleness with the human condition • Nothing really new, but repackaged in the light of Reformation and Trent • Emphasis on Confession • Emphasis on authority of Fathers

  5. Philosophical Developments During the 17th C • Rationalist: Knowledge is from innate ideas • Rene Descartes (1596-1650) • Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) • Gottfried Leibniz (1646-1716) • Empiricists: Knowledge is from senses • Francis Bacon (1561-1626) • John Locke (1632-1704) • Isaac Newton (1642-1727)

  6. 17th C Philosophy: Rationalists • Rationalist: Knowledge is from ideas • Rene Descartes (1596-1650) • Mathematician and founder of analytic geometry and algebra • “I think, therefore I am” • Dualistic approach to mind and body • Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) • Mathematician and discoverer of many of laws of probability • Member of Jansenists: heretical Catholic group that was very Augustinian • Pascal’s Wager on the existence of God • Gottfried Leibniz (1646-1716) • Mathematician and co-discoverer of calculus • Because God is all good, this must be the best of all possible worlds • Complex metaphysics; many similarities to Stoicism • Coined term theodicy

  7. Jansenism • Cornelius Jansenius (1585-1638) • Belgian bishop • Opposed to policies of Louis XIV • Wrote Augustinus, published after his death • The ‘Catholic Calvinism’ • Supported Augustine’s view of corruption of man’s nature, and double predestination • Very influential in France, especially against Jesuit more optimistic view of human nature • Condemned by Pope Innocent X in 1653, and French Assembly of Clergy in 1681

  8. Convent at Port Royal and Pascal • Center for spiritual and intellectual elite of France • Most famous follower was Blaise Pascal, whose sister was head of convent • Pascal opposed Jesuit view that man could come to some certain knowledge of God and morality through his natural reason. • Pascal accepted the paradox that man was at the same time made in God’s image and man had a corrupted nature after the fall. • So man had a simultaneous claim to glory and depravity • But Pascal was not just writing against the Jesuits; also against rising tide of atheism that developed after the Thirty Years War

  9. Pascal’s Wager • Can not prove with certainty that God exists • But one must chose; cannot live in a state of agnosticism (same as atheism) • Observing the universe would lead one to at least 50-50 chance that God does exist • What is lost if I believe in God, and He does not exist? What is at stake if I do not believe and He does exist? • Therefore the rational thing to do is to wager for God

  10. Quiz Review: Quiz Structure • 50 minutes • Closed book, closed notes • Matching people and events with descriptions (25 pts) • Definitions (25 pts) • Match quotes from readings to authors (25 pts) • Two Essays (25 pts)

  11. Line of Demarcation Enculturation Baroque art Treaty of Westphalia Consubstantiation 95 Theses Edict of Nantes Anabaptists The King’s Great Matter Justification Definitions: One or Two Sentence Definitions of Following (25 free points)

  12. Quotes • Will not be tricky • Five quotes, 9 authors • If you were paying attention during class and discussions, this should not be hard • Do not feel like you must go back and carefully re-read everything • What were some of the most important things we read? • Albert of Mainz: Commission of Indulgences • Luther: 95 Theses; Freedom of a Christian • Calvin: Institutes; Letter on Usury • Ignatius Loyola: Spiritual Exercises • Teresa of Avila: Way of Perfection • Bartolome de las Casas: On the Indians • Francis Xavier: Letter from India • Pascal: Pensees • Francis de Sales: Introduction to Devout Life

  13. Quiz Essay Questions • Another Free 25 Points; I will select two of the following questions to which you should respond with a brief essay • Describe the historical events leading up to Luther’s revolt from Catholicism. What were some of the significant doctrinal changes that resulted from this? • Describe how Calvin’s view of Church was different from Luther’s. What were some of the doctrinal similarities and differences between them • Pick one: Teresa of Avila, Ignatius Loyola, Francis de Sales. Describe their spirituality and its impact in its own time • Describe Trent’s response to Luther on justification • Briefly describe EITHER the Spanish missionary activity in 16th C Western Hemisphere OR the Portuguese missionary activity in 16th C in the Orient • Answers must be very specific, with many names, places, and thought as to how they relate.

  14. Assignments • 1. Bokenkotter, Chapter 23. • 2. Francis De Sales Devout Life, Prayer, Preface and First Part of Introduction in Introduction to the Devout Life tran. John Ryan. New York: Image, 1950. 31-79. • 3. Blaise Pascal Pensees Series III available at http://www.classicallibrary.org/pascal/pensees/pensees03.htm • 4. Extra Credit: Short Paper on Missionary activities or French Spirituality; due before May 1 • Good luck studying for quiz

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