The Christian Faith In The Doctrinal Documents Of The Catholic Faith ed. by J. Neuner, S. J., J. Dupuis, S. J.

Abstract

BOOK REVIEWS 8~5 This is the best part of the book and a necessary introduction to the problem of philosophy of nature in its relation to modem science, for science and philosophy had been considered to be the same discipline until the sixteenth century. Scientists were philosophers of nature, and philosophers of nature considered themselves scientists. Now, however, the majority of scientists and philosophers believe that science and philosophy are essentially two independent disciplines. This is paradoxical because even now it is difficult to perceive concrete scientific problems which are not, at the same time, problems of philosophy. True, the methodology of science is different from the methodology of philosophy, but both science and philosophy study the same subject matter, namely, the cosmos, man, and God. Hence the artificial dichotomy which started chiefly with Descartes and which has harmed philosophy as well as science. More than ever the insight of philosophy is necessary for the better understanding of science, and equally the data of contemporary science should be taken into consideration by philosophy if philosophy is to be worthy of its name. All the great scientists have been outstanding philosophers of nature. This book helps us to understand this historical conclusion. We must bear in mind that strictly speaking, the problem of science and philosophy is not a problem between scientists and philosophers but of philosophy and science as such. Hense it is crucial for the sake of clarity to set up the philosophical principles of the division and specification of the sciences as they are found in Aristotle's Posterior Analytics. In this sense the book is somewhat incomplete. The author shows too much dependence on Vincent Smith and Charles De Koninck. Perhaps more explanation based on original sources would have improved the understanding of the philosophical principles involved in this thorny problem. The volume is recommended to all those who are seeking a brief historical and philosophical introduction to the philosophy of nature. Graduate Theological UniO'T& Berkeley, California ANTONIO MORENO, 0. P. The Christian Faith In The Doctrinal Dow,ments Of The Catholic Faith. Edited by J. NEUNER, S. J. and J. DUPuis, S. J. BANGALORE: Theological Publications in India, 1973. Pp. 710. This new collection of the Church's doctrinal documents is the fruit of the collaborated effort of the professors of the two theological faculties of Vidyajyoti, Institute of Religious Studies, Delhi, and of Juana-Deepa, 826 BOOK REVIEWS Institute of Philosophy and Religion, Pune, under the able editorship of the Jesuit professors Joseph Neuner and James Dupuis. Stemming from the 1938 publication by J. Neuner and H. Roos of Der Glaube der Kirche in den Urkunden der Lehrverkundigung and down through the 1967 and 1969 English The Teaching of the Catholic Church, deriving in a measure from other collections, especially Denziger-Schonmetzer , the present book provides a number of more relevant and recent documents. A long introduction on the value, limitations, and use of such a collection of doctrinal texts is a sound contribution and caution, and a valuable guideline for the reader. Chapters have been rearranged and new ones inserted. The prefaces to the chapters and the evaluations of the individual documents or offerings have been in great part presented to reflect later scholarship and the viewpoint of Vatican II. A concordance with other familiar collections follows the usual indexes. This new collection may be used with profit by those who are interested in an authoritative guidance provided by doctrinal documents which serve as witness of the Faith. Dominican House of Studit!8 W1Uhington, D. C. NICHOLAS HALLIGAN, 0. P. A Reply to Vernon J. Bourke's final judgment-" an example of how not to interpret a philosophical classic "-on: Aquinas On Metaphysics. A historicodoctrinal study of the Commentary on the Metaphysics. By JAMES C. Dow. When I first read Prof. Bourke's review of my historical study of Aquinas's Commentary on the Metaphysics, I became concerned. I am still concerned, and not because of the statement I have chosen as a title, nor for these other words either: " This is a grandiose project: it would take a marvelous mind and very mature scholarship. . • " etc.1 I, no more than anyone else...