The Most Important Philosophy Book of the 21st Century (So Far)
I had been hoping to do a lengthy review of Msgr. Robert Sokolowski’s newly released book The Phenomenology of the Human Person. It is a masterpiece and the most important philosophy title, so far, of the 21st century. In it Fr. Sokolowki achieves no less of a task than the rescue of both philosophy and the human person. We have here, in the past few days, given a couple of posts that question the modern attempt to reduce the person or human life to the active brain. Well, Fr. Sokolowski shows, through a clear and profound phenomenological analysis of human communication and consciousness, that the person is much more than a brain, or psychlogical system, or a lump of matter. The person is, he shows conclusively, an agent of truth. Through a study of the nature of language and influenced by both Husserl and the Thomist tradition, Fr. Sokolowski demonstrates that the world is made present to human experience, that it is understood by man, and that this understanding is publically available to human reason and inevitably communicated. These may seem like rather basic conclusions to reach and hardly worth one’s time. But they are conclusions that run counter to most modern and postmodern philosophy. Sokolowski unveils the beauty of the truth that human beings are rational agents.
As I said, I was going to do a larger post reviewing this book. But Fr. Schall, a Professor at Georgetown and a contributor at Ignatius Insight, has given a thorough review to which I shall refer you.
Fr. Schall suggests that everyone who is currently studying philosophy should drop what they’re doing and turn to this book. I concur wholeheartedly. Enjoy!
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I would recommend that, as a primer, anyone interested in this title should also read Sokolowski’s excellent Introduction to Phenomenology. No single book has had a greater impact on my philosophical outlook.
Comment by Josh Miller — June 21, 2008 @ 10:32 am
Josh - yes; his Intro book is a phenomenal book, so to speak. We actually have Msgr. Sokolowski speaking as the Institute of Catholic Thought fall distinguished speaker on Oct 13th. I don’t know if you have that day off, UIUC doesn’t but if you do…. It is a long drive down from Mundelein I know but just to let you know you and anyone whom you know who might be interested are invited.
Comment by David — June 21, 2008 @ 4:01 pm
I was blessed to take a couple classes with Msgr. Sokolowski at CUA. Learning Aristotle’s ‘Ethics’ from him was like learning directly from the ‘virtuous agent’. Amazing man and a born teacher.
His new book should be arriving in my mail any day now.
Comment by Nathan — June 23, 2008 @ 8:31 am
Nathan - I also took Msgr. for a couple of classes at CUA, though I was at the time transitioning from an engineering career to theology.
Comment by David — June 23, 2008 @ 9:12 am
Is this book accessible for someone who doesn’t have a whole lot of philosophy? Should I definitely read the aforementioned Intro to Phenomenology first?
Comment by JB — June 26, 2008 @ 11:12 am
The intro would definitely help. Also helpful as a starter would be Sokolowski’s book “Christian Faith and Human Understanding.” There’s a brief article in this latter book entitled “Soul and the Transcendence of the Human Person” that would help you to grasp of the full significance of Sokolowski’s “Phenomenology of the Human Person.”
Msgr. Sokolowski writes in a very clear style, accessible to anyone. Be sure to read Fr. Schall’s review.
Comment by hierothee — June 27, 2008 @ 2:08 am