The Thought of John Henry Newman
Professor: | Jules van Schaijik, Ph.D. |
When: | to be announced |
Where: | 519 N. High St., West Chester, PA |
Cost: | $250.00 |
Course description:
An introduction to the major works and philosophical themes of John Henry Newman. The course will be conducted in a seminar style, and consist in a close reading of the major philosophical works of John Henry Newman. Some of the important themes include, 1) the relation between faith and reason, 2) religious epistemology, 3) philosophy of education, 4) personalism, 5) the nature of conscience, 6) the historical development of ideas.
Primary Texts of Newman:
- Five of the Fifteen Sermons Preached before the University of Oxford
- An Essay in aid of a Grammar of Assent
- The Idea of a University
- An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine
- Some of his best essays:
- "The Introduction of Rationalistic Principles into Revealed Religion”
- "The Tamworth Reading Room”
- "Millman’s View of Christianity”
- "On Consulting the Faithful in Matters of Doctrine”
- Section 5 from the “Letter to the Duke of Norfolk”
Optional Recommended Reading:
- Ian Kerr, John Henry Newman: A Biography
- John Henry Newman: Apologia Pro Vita Sua
- His collection of Parochial and Plain Sermons, particularly the following sermons: Vol. I: 1,2,24; Vol. II: 10,14,15,23; Vol. IV: 6,13,14,17,20; Vol. V: 9
* Most of Newman’s writings (and more) can be found online at: http://www.newmanreader.org
Jules van Schaijik received his MA and PhD from the International Academy of Philosophy in Liechtenstein. While there, he took a course on John Henry Newman from John F. Crosby, which sparked a life-long, dedicated interest in Newman’s thought. His Master’s thesis compared Newman and Rudolf Otto on the relation between rational knowledge and religious experience in religion. Dr. van Schaijik has taught in the Netherlands, Austria and the U.S. He and his wife, Katie, are co-founders of the Personalist Project.