Thomism and Theology

2019 marks the 90thanniversary of Jacques Maritain’s The Angelic Doctor and the 70thanniversary of his Twilight of Civilization. The juxtaposition of titles suggests some pointed questions. What does the Common Doctor offer to those who fear a dark night of civilization? Or if this be its twilight, though given a reprieve, what can philosophers and theologians say about what our civilization means? How we answer such questions leads to a more general question: how might the sometimes-troubled conversation between Thomism and theology contribute to both the shifting present and the uncertain future?   

From his early and extraordinary synthesis, Distinguish to Unite or the Degrees of Knowledge (4thed., 1959) to his final and controversial publication Untrammeled Approaches (1973), Jacques Maritain proved to be a philosopher engaged with theology as well as a close friend of both philosophers and theologians. He would not shrink from the questions that challenge us, and he would address them in the company of friends.

We invite proposals on topics in philosophical theology and the epistemology of religion, as well as in philosophical and theological anthropology and ethics. We welcome proposals on such figures as Nicholas Berdyaev, Martin Buber, Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, Étienne Gilson, and Emmanuel Mounier. We also encourage proposals on Eastern philosophies and religions. 

As always, we look forward to proposals that further the understanding of the work of St. Thomas Aquinas, of Jacques and Raïssa Maritain, and of other thinkers, writers, and artists who help to clarify our chiaroscuro times.  

Proposals, of no more than 500 words, should be sent to Dr. James M. Jacobs at [email protected]. Submissions are due December 15, 2018. There is a $250 prize for the best graduate student paper; this paper is to be submitted by January 15, 2019. For more information, see https://maritainassociation.com/