Piotr Jaroszynski, Beauty and Being: Thomistic Perspectives

Product Description

This book represents an attempt to distinguish and define what beauty is in metaphysical terms, to arrive at a better understanding of beauty as a transcendental property of being, and to establish beauty’s place in philosophy alongside truth and the good through an exploration of whether there can truly be a philosophy of beauty, or whether beauty is merely a type of aesthetic. The first part of this work outlines the history of philosophical thought on the subject, through an introduction to three great theories of beauty – harmony, form, and relationism – and a discussion of the evolution of the fine arts. The second part introduces first the theory of aesthetics, then the relationship between nature, being, and beauty, and finally the controversy over whether beauty is natural or a product of human knowledge and experience. The third part moves towards a philosophy of beauty in a first sense: something that is real but immaterial, something that can be understood but not seen. This idea is constructed through an examination of beauty’s relation to beings and existence, and finally through a juxtaposition of beauty with ugliness.

Found Here: http://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Being-Thomistic-Perspectives-Etienne/dp/0888447337

“We ask why the Philosopher has so often used such an obscure mode of teaching. Here is the reason: in temples, one uses veils to prevent anyone, even the profane, from approaching what they are not worthy to approach. So too, Aristotle used obscurity as a veil for his philosophy in such a way that, just for this reason, the most excellent of his students would give their souls to his teaching with yet more ardor, and the slothful and the vain, when they approached such a discourse, would be turned away by its obscurity.”

(Commentary on the Categories, Introduction)

Abstract

An atheist known for satirical videos on Christianity recently released an update to “The Story of Suzie” video, which depicts Christians as delusional for praying to God for help amid tragedies.

The animated video features a devout religious character named Suzie who sees divine love and intervention everywhere while the narrator suggests otherwise.

Before going to bed, Suzie prays asking Jesus to heal the sick and ease the suffering in the world. But when she wakes up, “the problems of the world were still there,” said the narrator. Suzie rationalizes the result by believing that “somehow it was all part of God’s plan.”

Produced by The Thinking Atheist, the video implies that while Suzie continues to seek God when there is violence, natural disasters, or illness, her prayers only serve to bring her comfort, not produce any real effect.

Dr. Normal L. Geisler, author of If God, Why Evil?, said the video contains a lot of misconceptions.

“You look at all of that [and] you sympathize with Susie because you think they (disasters, illnesses, etc.) are evil,” he said. “But if it’s evil, then there must be a standard for good. If there is a crooked line in this world then there must be a straight line. If there is a straight line then there must be God.”

Order Online: If God, Why Evil?

Continue reading at The Christian Post

The Thomistic Institute of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and theCatholic and Dominican Institute of Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY jointly present an inaugural workshop on Thomas Aquinas & Contemporary Philosophy.

This workshop will bring together scholars and students interested in philosophy, especially the work of Thomas Aquinas. It will also consider the values and goals of philosophy in the Catholic tradition, and the engagement of these ideas within the context of the contemporary academy.

The Conference will be June 23-26, 2011 at Mount Saint Mary College, 330 Powell Ave., Newburgh, NY 12550.

The Keynote Speaker will be Fr. Charles Morerod, O.P., Rector of the Angelicum University, Rome, and Secretary of the International Theological Commission.

Other speakers include:

• Fr. James Brent, O.P., the Catholic University of America
• Fr. Lawrence Dewan, O.P., Dominican University College, Ottawa, Canada
• Dr. Alfred J. Freddoso, Notre Dame University
• Dr. Joshua Hochschild, Mount St. Mary University (MD)
• Dr. Gyula Klima, Fordham University
• Fr. Joseph Koterski, S.J., Fordham University
• Dr. John O’Callaghan, Notre Dame University
• Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P., Director of the Thomistic Institute

The brochure can be found here: http://www.op-stjoseph.org/media/more/thomas_aquinas_contemporary_scholarship_brochure/