Roman Catholic Political Philosophy

Fr. Schall's meditations on the profoundest themes of western civilization are essential reading for anyone interested in its fate regardless of their religious convictions or lack thereof. And it would be a rare creature who would not beforced to re-examine the depths and dimensions of his soul to take account of Fr. Schall's powerful argumentation. His book is especially welcome at a time the west faces yet another challenge from radical Islam and its own continuing deterioration from its own nihilism within. -- Ken Masugi, Claremont Institute James Schall is one of the giants of contemporary Catholic thought. This volume is essential reading not just for Catholics but for anyone interested in the nature of political philosophy as a tradition of inquiry and the vitally important question of the relationship of faith and reason. -- Kenneth Grasso, Texas State University - San Marcos Here in large part is what makes Schall unique; his best friends in politics, philosophy, literature, history, and theology make his interpretation of reality sole occupant of the field. With their help he undertakes in these pages the central task of Catholic political philosophy-to spell out the true enlightenment of which Chesterton was a herald in the way he courageously faced, loudly proclaimed, and galantly challenged all the errors that ever were. * Gilbert Magazine * A lively and spirited defense of Roman Catholic political philosophy that exemplifies what it describes. James Schall understands the presumption against any attempt to link the worlds of faith and reason. He shows that the most powerful argument for convergence arises from the side of reason itself. Political philosophy is most true to itself when it preserves its openness to revelation. -- David Walsh, Catholic University of America Tertullian asked: "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?" James V. Schall goes one step further and asks: "What have Athens and Jerusalem to do with Rome?" Serious and playful, witty and wise, Roman Catholic Political Philosophy is essential reading for anyone exploring the question of reason and revelation and how it relates to the nature of political things. -- William P. Haggerty, Gannon University Roman Catholic Political Philosophy will provide rewarding reading to any student, professor, or lay reader who is interested in the relationship between religion and philosophy, especially as this has developed within the Catholic tradition. * Review of Metaphysics * This book is a magisterial summation of Fr. Schall's lifelong reflections on political philosophy in relation to the Catholic tradition. Readers will be impressed by the constructive dialogue he establishes between Reason and Revelation in relation to understanding the nature of politics. His command of the classic works, both ancient and modern, and his knowledge of contemporary political theorists, both Catholic and non-Catholic, is equal to any. -- Timothy Fuller, Colorado College Despite various qualms and trepidations, philosophy has been rediscoving revelation for some time. Political philosophers dig in their heels, though, and Schall shows why this is misguided. By accepting revelation, reason actually becomes more reasonable; revelation makes the intellectual life more intellectual. Of course philosophy is not theology and cannot "prove" the truths of revelation, but it denies itself if it does not take the possibility of revelation seriously. This is a searching, reflective book in the spirit of Fides et Ratio, an essay to be meditated, not merely read. -- Jay Budziszewski, University of Texas, Austin Fr. Schall argues that the purpose of Roman Catholic political philosophy is to inquire about the relation of politics to the teaching of Revelation, as preserved and interpreted in the Catholic Church. In carry out this philosophical inquiry he ackowledges his debt to Leo Strauss and Eric Voegelin, but then argues that polit

James V. Schall is Professor in the Department of Government at Georgetown University.

1 Introduction 2 Why Is Political Philosophy Different? 3 On the Paradoxical Place of Political Philosophy in the Structure of Reality 4 The Philosopher's Study of Political Things 5 The Role of Christian Philosophy in Politics 6 On How Revelation Addresses Itself to Politics 7 The Relation of Political Philosophy to Metaphysics and Theology 8 From Curiosity to Pride: On the Experience of Our Own Existence 9 Modernity: What Is It? 10 Revelation, Political Philosophy, and the Generation of Morality 11 Worship and Political Philosophy 12 Roman Catholic Political Philosophy 13 Conclusion Chapter 14 Thirty-three Summary and Concluding Maxims, Principles, and Aphorisms Concerning Roman Catholic Political Philosophy