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From the origin of universities through their first six hundred years of existence, philosophy and theology were the central disciplines. That changed dramatically in the nineteenth century. As German universities started to establish chairs in mathematics, chemistry, and philology, new academic departments became more distinct and religious issues formerly addressed gradually receded into the background.
This book focuses on religious issues relating to current academic disciplines. Contributors draw upon insights from two theological essays to address religious themes, especially Catholic ones, pertinent to their discipline as it is taught on the undergraduate level.
In addition to Catholic anthropology and theology, the chapters address Catholic issues in English literature, philosophy, political theory, history, mathematics, biology, physics and astronomy, psychology, environmental studies, art, music, business and economics, education, medicine, and law.
List of contents
- Introduction, The Editors
- Part I Foundations
- Chapter 1: Fundamental Catholic Theology
- David Gentry-Akin
- Chapter 2: Catholic Anthropology
- Rev. Thomas P. Rausch, S.J.
- Chapter 3: Perspectives in Catholic Theology
- Lawrence Cunningham
- Chapter 4: Perspectives in Catholic Philosophy I
- Rev. Brian Shanley, O.P.
- Chapter 5: Perspectives in Catholic Philosophy II
- Rev. David B. Burrell, C.S.C
- Part II The Catholic Intellectual Tradition in the Humanities
- Chapter 6: Poetry and Catholic Themes
- Angela Alaimo O'Donnell
- Chapter 7: Drama and Catholic Themes
- Ed Block, Jr.
- Chapter 8: Fiction and Catholic Themes
- Paul Contino
- Chapter 9: Part I - Christian Literature in a Secular University
- Robert Kiely
- Part II - The View From a Church-Related University
- Paul J. Contino
- Chapter 10: Political Theory and Catholic Themes
- Jeanne Heffernan Schindler
- Chapter 11: History in a Catholic Perspective
- Glenn Olsen
- Chapter 12: Mathematics, Reality, and God
- Rev. Paul Schweitzer, S.J.
- Chapter 13: Catholic Themes in Art and Music
- Charles Scribner III
- Part III Religious Themes Related to the Sciences
- Chapter 14: Psychology's in a Catholic Perspective
- Jeffrey Adams
- Chapter 15: Evolutionary Biology in a Catholic Framework
- Oliver Putz
- Chapter 16: Environmental Studies in a Catholic Framework
- Elaine Grose
- Chapter 17: Physics and Astronomy in a Catholic Framework
- Rev. William Stoeger, S.J.
- Part IV The Good Life in the Professions
- Chapter 18: Economics and Business in a Catholic Perspective
- Rev. John Piderit, S.J
- Chapter 19: Education in a Catholic Framework
- Melanie M. Morey
- Chapter 20: Medicine, Health, and Catholic Themes
- Rev. Myles Sheehan, S.J., M.D.
- Chapter 21: Law in a Catholic Framework
- Patrick McKinley Brennan
About the author
M.M.M.: Senior Director for Research and Consulting, Catholic Education Institute; J.J.P; President, Catholic Education Institute and former President of Loyala University Chicago
Summary
The Catholic intellectual tradition is broad, and covers a wide array of academic disciplines. From the origin of universities and through their first six hundred years of existence, philosophy and theology were the central disciplines. However, with the establishment of chairs in mathematics and others in chemistry at German universities in the nineteenth century, new academic disciplines started to be acknowledged and, in the following two hundred years, the modern array of academic departments gradually emerged. Many of the topics covered in these emerging disciplines, however, had earlier been addressed in theology or philosophy, and it is from here that the Catholic intellectual tradition made important contributions and distinctions in many of the most popular undergraduate academic departments.
Structured around two lead essays on Catholic anthropology and Catholic theology, this volume focuses on important religious themes and how they appear in various academic disciplines. John Piderit, Melanie Morey, and their contributors take a disciplinary approach to the Catholic intellectual tradition. Each chapter focuses on one academic discipline or major that is taught at the undergraduate level in most colleges or universities; the book is primarily intended for Catholic institutions who teach undergraduates and have an interest in showing students how various topics in their disciplines are related to Christian belief and the Catholic tradition in particular.
Additional text
This book is a profound resource for primarily Catholic institutions to revisit the core of their existence as a platform to critically reflect on a faith journey.
