Etienne Gilson

The Middle Ages witnessed tremendous strides in the development of Western philosophical thought, culminating in the arrival of Aristotelianism, the installation of Scholasticism, and the great triumph of Thomism. Conventional wisdom on the topic, however, often elides an essential element of the Medieval philosophical project: namely, in Étienne Gilson’s powerful phrasing, that it was “crowned by mysticism, [as] numberless living souls were on the watch, seeking an order of ideas and things ...

Discover the modern relevance of Pope Leo XIII's encyclicals in The Church Speaks to the Modern World by Etienne Gilson. This powerful book presents the papal pronouncements of Leo XIII as arranged and indicated by the pope himself – with each one clearly explained by Gilson's insightful introduction, notes, summarization and study. For individuals of all faiths seeking valuable spiritual instruction and guidance, this unique volume provides insights into topics including social justice, edu...

A Journey in Final Causality, Species, and Evolution Darwin's theory of evolution remains controversial, even though most scientists, philosophers, and even theologians accept it, in some form, as an explanation for the variety of organisms. The controversy erupts when the theory is used to try to explain everything, including every aspect of human life, and to deny the role of a Creator or a purpose to life. The overreaching of many scientists into matters beyond the self-imposed limits of s...

The highly regarded French philosopher, Etienne Gilson, brilliantly plumbs the depths of Thomistic Realism, and false Thomisms as well, in this answer to Kantian modernism. The important work, exquisitely translated by Mark Wauck, brings the essential elements of philosophy into view as a cohesive, readily understandable, and erudite structure, and does so rigorously in the best tradition of St. Thomas. Written as the definitive answer to those philosophers who sought to reconcile critical ph...