Marc A. Pugliese and John Becker, eds.: Process Thought and Roman Catholicism: Challenges and Promises

Abstract

This book review by Neil Ormerod discusses the reception of process thought, a metaphysical system developed by Alfred North Whitehead, among Catholic theologians. Process thought, also known as process philosophy or philosophy of organism, challenges traditional notions of God as omnipotent, omniscient, unchanging, and all-loving. The book provides an overview of Whitehead's approach and its complex terminology, as well as various levels of engagement and extensions of his ideas by different authors. The review includes discussions on objections to process thought raised by Catholic theologians, links between Whitehead's ideas and medieval Franciscan thinker Duns Scotus, the contribution of Charles Hartshorne in popularizing Whitehead's ideas, and similarities and tensions between Whitehead's thought and key Catholic positions. The book also delves into topics such as the problem of evil, the concept of "objective immortality," and the implications of Whitehead's ideas for traditional Christian beliefs such as creation ex nihilo. Overall, the review provides a comprehensive analysis of the reception of process thought among Catholic theologians and its implications for traditional Christian theology.