At The Center Of The Human Drama

Finding that a coherent philosophical view is present throughout much of Wojtyla's work, Schmitz also discovers that Wojtyla's sensitivity to both modern and ancient thought and culture was already vividly present in his work as a young student in Cracow. As Pope John Paul II continues to make his mark in the history of the Roman Catholic Church and of the world, this book will prove invaluable to philosophers, theologians, and the educated reader who wishes learn more about his thought.

Human consciousness is one of the most fascinating mysteries sheltered by the brain, evidencing that what happens between our ears is more important than what happens outside our skull. In addition, how do we know whether someone other than ourselves is conscious? This book offers a compelling bioethical analysis of one of the most intriguing topics of neuroscience: states of consciousness. It brings together the thought-provoking contributions of international experts concerning the role of bioethics in fostering dialogue between different, but related, fields of study concerning human consciousness and its altered states, including ethics of neuroscience, psychology, philosophy and anthropology, theology, clinical ethics, law and social studies.

Deeply touched by the tragedies of botched abortions that they witnessed as medical students and young physicians in Chile in the 1970s and later around the world, the authors have attempted in this book, to establish a framework for dialogue to replace the polarization that exists today.

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER "A remarkable book. Weigel's biography is likely to remain the standard one-volume reference on John Paul II for many years to come." — Pittsburg Post-Gazette ?“Fascinating. . . sheds light on the history of the twentieth century for everyone.” —New York Times Book Review The definitive biography of Pope John Paul II that explores how influential he was on the world stage and in some of the most historic events of the twentieth century that can still be felt today Witness to Hope is the authoritative biography of one of the singular figures—some might argue the singular figure—of our time. With unprecedented cooperation from John Paul II and the people who knew and worked with him throughout his life, George Weigel offers a groundbreaking portrait of the Pope as a man, a thinker, and a leader whose religious convictions defined a new approach to world politics—and changed the course of history. As even his critics concede, John Paul II occupied a unique place on the world stage and put down intellectual markers that no one could ignore or avoid as humanity entered a new millennium fraught with possibility and danger. The Pope was a man of prodigious energy who played a crucial, yet insufficiently explored, role in some of the most momentous events of our time, including the collapse of European communism, the quest for peace in the Middle East, and the democratic transformation of Latin America. With an updated preface, this edition of Witness to Hope explains how this “man from a far country” did all of that, and much more—and what both his accomplishments and the unfinished business of his pontificate mean for the future of the Church and the world.

A guide to how Socratic principles of dialogue can be used for improving communication and developing satisfying relationships. • Shows how to develop methods of dialogue for growth in personal and business relationships. • Includes clear and detailed lessons on how to begin and hold a dialogue on important issues. • Of great relevance to anyone seeking a higher level of communication. The Spiritual Art of Dialogue introduces the reader to the lost art of dialogue--an art once used by such master philosophers as Socrates and Plato--as a present-day alternative to the therapist's couch. With straightforward examples and invaluable step-by-step instruction, the author shows how we can take control of our own lives when we understand the strength that resides in our ability to communicate, and how the very forms into which we place our words can improve--and empower--our personal and professional lives. The frustration we experience in our relationships with lovers, family and friends, and in the workplace often results from our inability to talk productively with one another. The principles of dialogue can help us to identify negativity, unsound reasoning, and misplaced criticism, and to understand how we can use discussion as a form of play and as a means of discovering our true inner voice. The Spiritual Art of Dialogue highlights the importance of being truthful with ourselves, and about ourselves, so that we resist falling into old and destructive patterns of communication, and shows how dialogue has the power to help us achieve personal and spiritual growth by bringing us together--as friends--in a shared search for the truth and genuine understanding.

This distinctive and contemporary departure from hackneyed discussions of political theory introduces readers to a contemporary personalism rooted in the work of Bartolome de Las Casas and emerging again in the contributions of Dorothy Day, Peter Maurin as well as the liberation theology of Gustavo Guiterrez and Jon Sobrino. Thomas R. Rourke and Rosita A. Chazarreta Rourke introduce readers to new sources of personalism by investigating and revising the intellectual history of this theory and its development.

The challenge of promoting the "new feminism" has barely been addressed since it was first launched by Pope John Paul II in his 1995 encyclical Evangelium vitae. The thirteen contributors in this book, all outstanding international scholars, take up this task, together laying the necessary theoretical foundation for the new feminism. These chapters articulate an integral philosophical and theological understanding of persons that moves beyond patriarchy on the one hand and traditional feminism on the other. Central to the new perspective offered here is the biblical revelation of the human person - man and woman - in Christ, a vision that directs women beyond the "male" standard against which they have too often been measured. Far from constraining women to an "eternal essence," the dynamic view presented here encourages each woman to realize herself in perfect Christian freedom.

The culmination of a lifetime's scholarly work, this pioneering study by Sister Prudence Allen traces the concept of woman in relation to man in Western thought from ancient times to the present. Volume I uncovers four general categories of questions asked by philosophers for two thousand years. These are the categories of opposites, of generation, of wisdom, and of virtue. Sister Prudence Allen traces several recurring strands of sexual and gender identity within this period. Ultimately, she shows the paradoxical influence of Aristotle on the question of woman and on a philosophical understanding of sexual coomplemenarity. Supplemented throughout with helpful charts, diagrams, and illustrations, this volume will be an important resource for scholars and students in the fields of women's studies, philosophy, history, theology, literary studies, and political science. In Volume 2, Sister Prudence Allen explores claims about sex and gender identity in the works of over fifty philosophers (both men and women) in the late medieval and early Renaissance periods. Touching on the thought of every philosopher who considered sex or gender identity between A.D. 1250 and 1500, The Concept of Woman provides the analytical categories necessary for situating contemporary discussion of women in relation to men. Adding to the accessibility of this fine discussion are informative illustrations, helpful summary charts, and extracts of original source material (some not previously available in English). In her third and final volume Allen covers the years 1500--2015, continuing her chronological approach to individual authors and also offering systematic arguments to defend certain philosophical positions over against others.