Explanations and Similarities

 Justin Moses Vera

Ms. Angela Kendrick 

THEO 201

5 September 2018

Explanations and Similarities

Based on Aristotle’s Metaphysics, he claimed that man is a rational animal. If so, then we all rationalize or we all justify. To justify you have to think. To think you have to question. So if you question you end up with many bizarre a jarring questions. Have these questions ever popped in your mind:  “What are philosophy and theology, and why are they crucial to a young person’s education today?” or “Can’t you live a good life without believing in Christianity?” If those questions have ever been at least in the back of your mind, then Peter Kreeft and C. S. Lewis answered those questions brilliantly. The task at hand will be summarizing and explaining what both articles have to say and what they have in common. 

First of all in the paper by Peter Kreeft, “Why study Theology and Philosophy”, we learn once and for all why we need philosophy and theology now rather than later. He begins the paper by stating that many of the colleges in America have dropped both subjects and are thus not serious about a liberal arts education. So he raises two questions: (1) what are the subjects and why are they crucial? (2) Are they not irrelevant and outdated? So he defines Philosophy as “the love of wisdom” and through the love of wisdom the study explores questions as such: “What is the essence of a human being? What is the meaning (value, goal, purpose) of human life? Are we here by chance or design? How do we know anything? Is anything certain? Can reason prove (or disprove) the existence of God? Why do we suffer? Why do we die? Is there life after death?” He claims that one is not fully human if you find no interest in these questions. Theology though is divided in two: philosophical and religious. Philosophical (natural) “uses natural human reason to explore the greatest of all questions, the questions about God. Religious (revealed) is an exploration of the meaning and consequences of faith in a revealed religion. He continues and brings up how so many people invest so much but do not even bother to ask: “What is the purpose of the university?” and if they do ask, many times it just results in a circle of “study to get high grades to get an impressive resume to get a good job, to finance his family when it sends his kids to college to study, to get high grades, et cetera, et cetera.” After this he introduces the “whys” and the three kinds of “sciences” called “productive” “practical” and “theoretical”. He brings up also “The Big Picture” which is the primary question of philosophers which is: “What is the meaning of life, the reason for being, the point and purpose and end of human existence in this world?” The wisdom Philosophy pursues is not factual knowledge but Knowledge. He even answers to the objections of philosophy by saying things like: “But philosophy is a dinosaur – it isn't up to date, modern, popular, etc. No. Neither is wisdom, virtue, happiness, piety, fidelity, courage, peace or contentment.” And his final words came after an anecdote and they are: “You need philosophy and theology now because you will need it on your deathbed later.”

Secondly, in “Man or Rabbit?” by C.S. Lewis when asked “Can’t you live a good life without believing in Christianity?” he straight away commented that the person was not being genuine in his question. Humans Lewis says, want to know! In fact, Christianity claims even to give account of certain facts. He brings up the concept that, “Knowing the facts make a difference on your actions.” According to Lewis, Christians find happiness through being united to God. On the other hand, the view of happiness of non-Christians differs because it can end. It will inevitably pass and Christianity offers perpetual happiness, the other not so much. However, Lewis does agree that both can agree to a certain extent in life on good works such as: hospitals, or healthy diets. But, differences will arise, the materialist will want to please the many, whilst the Christian will say it is unjust. For example: Mass genocide, a majority has more resources, but it is unjust to kill. Lewis re-asks the question, but says it is “Can I?”  And he brings up honest ignorance, for those who did not know the faith. Also, he brings up the lazy man who only asks but does not try to find out for himself. He illustrates it like not checking a notice board, bank account, or going to the doctor, you do not want to know the truth, so you do not try. One who does that is in dishonest error. Lewis says also that the job of every man is to find out which is it: Fraud or Truth, and serve the one true to self fully. We are all called to immortality in the presence of God. Beyond living a decent or moral life, live a Christian life. Without Christianity we are not redeemed, and without redemption we would forever fall short, it is only through Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection that we live forever.

Third, both these papers seem to be intertwined because of one principle…knowledge. Examine “Man or Rabbit” what it is saying is that man needs religion, ultimately because he needs God. It transcends morals because it is not because of good, but because of happiness. Look at “Why study philosophy and theology?” what it is defending is that you not only get to God because of innate knowledge, you need to learn these truths to be fully human, to be fully satisfied and happy at the end of your life. So, one defends the other. One is the mode and the other the means. Together they defend knowledge, freedom and happiness, all traits of a true liberal education.

In conclusion, the words of Lewis and Kreeft resonate to us because they speak of things that truly make us…us, and what we truly are is Human. So if there remains a shadow of a doubt, fulfill what we are called to do, and search for the truth. We will only find the truth by means of a liberal education. Because as Kreeft says, “You need Philosophy and Theology now because you will need it on your deathbed later.”