God and Philosophy

Etienne Gilson (1884-1978) wrote a good summary about philosophy/theology, and Ultimate Being. Gilson presented problems posed by the Ancient Greeks and modern philosophers. While Gilson was a devout Catholic, he "gave credit where credit was due." He also effectively answered challenges to Catholic teaching. Jaroslav Pelikan (1923-2006) wrote a useful Forward to Gilson's book titled GOD AND PHILOSOPHY.Gilson started this book by explaining the insights of Ancient Greek philosophers. For example, Thales of Miletus (c.623-c.546 BC) argued that water had divine qualities and contained deities or that water was possibly a god. However, Thales never reached a clear point of origin. As Gilson noted, the Judeo-Christian view had an a priori view as "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 6:2). Plato (428-347 BC) viewed the celestial bodies as gods, but he also argued that the IDEA or ideas were above the gods. Aristotle (384-322 BC) made reference to a Supreme Being, but he held the gods "at arms length."Gilson treated modern philosophy with careful attention. He criticized Descartes (1506-1650) for trying to prove for what was obvious, namely physical reality. Descartes was too self absorbed to allow other a priori causes. Gilson wrote St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) had already answered Descartes questions of a starting point.Gilson further assessed the thinking of Kant (1720-1804) and Compte The views of Kant and Compte relied too much on physical science . Gilson thought that Ultimate Reality or God was avoided and the metaphysics were just as much a part of reality as physical science. In other words men and women were more than just "technocrats." Metaphysics and abstract thought helped people become human and humane and not members of an insect colony.Gilson wrote a good explanation of Neo-Scholastic thought vs. contending and often conflicting thinking. Yet, as noted above, Gilson gave credit when necessary, and his book is not only a good introduction to Catholic philosophy/theology, but his book is helpful to understand "other schools of thought."James E. EgolfMarch 3,2015.

I am currently studying philosophy at a seminary, and in the throws of this endeavor, it is clear that philosophy has a lot to say about religion. But, I was unclear how religion could enhance ones philosophy with out adopting a divine command theory. This book is the answer to the question "how does religion provide value to philosophy?". Chapter 2 of the book is probably the best chapter of the book in regards to the impact of Judeo-Christian views of philosophy. The rest of the chapters explain the progress that philosophy made in other religions, including Christianity. But, for a clear and robust presentation of the purpose of philosophy and religion and the explanatory power of the two together, this book is the book that you need to read. Especially if you are studying philosophy and feeling as though it is sucking the life out of your faith. Hope you purchase this book and find it beneficial.

Gilson's book is a very rewarding read. Much is made of the influence of Greek philosophy on Christianity, butGilson pinpoints the key difference between the two: "He who is" (Christianity) versus "that which is" (Greek philosophy).What's significant too in a book of this kind, as Jaroslav Pelikan points out in the forward, is that Gilson does notfocus on the usual suspects -- Marx, Freud, Darwin, and Nietzsche. But instead focuses on Kant.Towards the end of the book, Gilson offers what Presbyterian theologian R.C. Sproul has called Gilson's choice:"Today our only choice is not Kant or Descartes; it is rather Kant or Thomas Aquinas.All other positions are but halfway houses on the roads which lead either to absolutereligious agnosticism or to the natural theology of Christian metaphysics."This book has many merits, not the least of which is to give the reader a deepappreciation of Christian metaphysics and how it can be a natural fit with one'sChristian faith. Although I've sampled Aquinas, I finished the book feeling challengedto read him more extensively.

The Greeks' philosophy found "That Which Is", and the Jews' religion found "He Who Is". St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas mended the two and showed us the One True God in His magnificent entirety. Descartes unintentionally demolished the philosophical and theological school of thought that was classical theism, while Hume and Kant just had to go and bury it under their "purely rational" philosophy which holds nearly every intellectual today in bondage. Thank God Etienne Gilson wasn't one of them. This is a powerful little read.

For the new student learning philosophy, Gilson is very readable and the necessary starting point. He presents a comprehensive review of western philosophy, which is not easy. Nonetheless he gives a baseline from which to assess the various philosophies that developed and deviated over the centuries. Gilson left me wanting to learn more about the great Scholastic philosophers and thus read more of the subject, especially his work. I think this book is a great place for wanna-be serious thinkers to get their philosophical legs under them.

This review is about the very poor publishing. The text/font is small, dark, and fuzzy making it difficult to read. After reading a few pages I gave up frustrated. It seems like it would have been so easy to pick a crisp clear easy to print and read font but no. Wide margins with cramped over inked print is what we get. Obviously published to sell not to read.

Great book, great author, great subject

I couldn't stop reading as soon as I began to read the book. Very interesting facts. Etienne Gilson, a brilliant philosopher !!!