The Splendor of Truth: Encyclical Letter of John Paul II

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Summary: A Worthy Defense of TRUTH & Freedom
Review: Pope John Paul II's THE SPLENDOR OF TRUTH is a clear and unpretentious dissertation on the nature of TRUTH as a subsistent reality upon which human freedom, and concommitant dignity, derive their subsequent claims and integrity. Axiom: Subsistent Truth is precedent to Human freedom. That is: Truth prescribes freedom; freedom does NOT define Truth...or disavow its absolute claim on finite man. In the Christian tradition TRUTH is identified with THE LOGOS. ( In Greek traditon "Logos" is the principle of intelligibility which allows reality to be analyzed and validated) In Christian traditon THE LOGOS is an actualizing principle of the Nature of God, and the sustaining principle of Reality and Truth. This belief is a metaphysical act of FAITH. Pope John Paul II asserts this axiom over against Post-Modern Relativism that posits Man's Freedom as ultimate arbiter of Truth. The latter belief is a meta-ethical assertion of Will-to- Power. Articles 84, 86, 99, 101 and 105 are key explications provided in this Encyclical that forcefully defend what has been a traditional definition and exlanation of Truth in the West for more than 2000 years as well as rebuking the radical efforts of Post-Modernists (beginning with Schopenhauer, Nietzsche and particularly Martin Heidegger)to reverse not only THE ORDER OF KNOWING (ontological epistemology or simply "science")but THE ORDER OF BEING (the etiology of right conduct, or simply ethics). THE SPLENDOR OF TRUTH is an important document in the history of ideas and philosophy. Not because it is highly original, but on the contrary, because it adresses perhaps the most crucial issue humanity must contend with. Is man humble enough to accept limits as a creature blessed with (created/given)Freedom to conform himself...as best he can...to the Image and Likeness of the Creator who made him? Or shall he launch himself into (what Heiddeger called Das Ereignis) NOTHINGNESS, attempting to devise an "Image" worthy of self-homage to aspire to and celebrate? John Paul is not "preaching to the choir" in this effort. Nor is this a catechism for convinced (or would-be)Catholics. This is a well-reasoned philosophical essay that presents arguments, counters; consequences and probable outcomes in a battle against what C. S. Lewis called THE ABOLITION OF MAN. Pope John Paul II wrote a supporting encyclical, FIDES ET RATIO...On the Relationship between Faith & Reason. This is also recommended to readers who are encouraged by THE SPLENDOR OF TRUTH. For those who are not, or for those who have been beguiled by the headiness of the apparent approach of (self-)Apotheosis, I propose to you a quip from St. Augustine, a man who certainly knew how to abuse both Truth & Freedom by "wandering in self-willed error" (The Confessions: XV): DO NOT GO LOOKING FOR A LIBERATION WHICH WILL LEAD YOU FAR FROM THE HOUSE OF YOUR LIBERATOR!" (Commentaries on the Psalms,St. Augustine AD 1397). If I said to to you, Truth is Truth when it participates in THE LOGOS which is...among other qualities...SUBSISTENT TRUTH, you might well retort: So what? Pope John Paul II's essay of expert opinion and HIGHER AUTHORITY may be worthy enough to convince you of the necessity of knowing and defending Truth if we are to remain free and human...Amen?

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Summary: A very deep book full of truth about life
Review: Pope John Paul is a brillian writer who brings us an excellent summary of truth as it has been discerned over the last 2000 years of Christianity. This book is true to Scripture, the tradition of the early Church Fathers and Catholic Doctrine. It speaks strongly against modern tendencies to deny the concept of absolute truth found in moral relativism. This is a must reading for all who are seeking the truth revealed to us by Christianity.

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Summary: Comments from a Graduate Student in Literature..
Review: The combination of the 'Catechism' and The Spendor of Truth are, perhaps, the most necessary tools for any and all Catholic thinkers/scholars; as well as anyone interested in discovering the authentic teachings of the Church - minus the broad-stroked misinformation of the mass media.