He's obviously a brilliant theologian, and would have quite liked to hear his take on the more metaphysical topics. I know he's not a philosopher, but a great many theologians end up doing work on philosophical topics, and often quite good work. Even the much of the philosophy behind Catholicism has been settled, I imagine there are still plenty who venture into the field, if only to combat some of the more heretical Process Theologians.
With respect to the former, Ratzinger takes a believer's approach to being and existence but seems to studiously avoid questions such as the preexistence of the soul, the nature of reality, the concept of something being uncreated but always existent, etc.
With respect to the latter, the Catholic Church has righted course and is now generally in agreement with science with respect to the way the universe was created and is continually expanding. The only distinction is that the Church sees a divine plan that set everything in motion (i.e., "Let there be light" in broader terms) and continues to be active to this day. As such, I don't think Ratzinger feels much of a need to discuss it.
He's not a philosopher, after all. He's a theologian working within a set of beliefs where much of the philosophy has already been resolved.
With respect to the latter, the Catholic Church has righted course and is now generally in agreement with science with respect to the way the universe was created and is continually expanding. The only distinction is that the Church sees a divine plan that set everything in motion (i.e., "Let there be light" in broader terms) and continues to be active to this day. As such, I don't think Ratzinger feels much of a need to discuss it.
He's not a philosopher, after all. He's a theologian working within a set of beliefs where much of the philosophy has already been resolved.
Jesus von Nazareth (Book I), by Joseph Ratzinger
- 12/02/2012 12:52:30 AM
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Do you know of any works by Ratzinger that directly address Ontological and Cosmological issues? *NM*
- 12/02/2012 01:54:08 PM
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Not that I am aware of.
- 12/02/2012 02:18:47 PM
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Ah, that's a pity.
- 12/02/2012 09:11:18 PM
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Re: Jesus von Nazareth (Book I), by Joseph Ratzinger
- 12/02/2012 11:11:45 PM
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For the record, I was Catholic for the first 19 years of my life.
- 12/02/2012 11:35:16 PM
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That hardly counts: I'm talking about the degree to which one accepts the doctrines & perspective
- 14/02/2012 12:59:08 PM
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I meant that Paul refuted reincarnation.
- 14/02/2012 01:59:06 PM
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Potato-potahto. You're still the type who'd be set on fire in a more civilized time and place.
- 17/02/2012 11:51:50 PM
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You mean when the Church ignored Christ's teachings and burned people? Probably.
- 18/02/2012 02:17:12 AM
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