Class 17: Spirituality and Philosophy in France Ann T. Orlando 22 February 2006

Introduction Francis de Sales Descartes Philosophy and Theology: Pascal Midterm Review

St Francis de Sales ( ) Born in eastern France, educated by Jesuits As a young man studying theology, we was very concerned about predestination  In prayer before a statue of Mary, his fears were relieved  Decided to lead a celibate life Over his father’s objection entered ecclesial life As a priest he was known for the insight of his confessions, and the force of his preaching He was named bishop of Geneva (in absentia) in 1602  Lived a very simple life as bishop  Great care for poor  Known for kindness  Along with St, Jean de Chantal founded Visitation sisters  Started catechetical programs for lay people Died praying “God’s will be done; Jesus my God and my all” Canonized 1665; declared doctor of Church 1877

Introduction to the Devout Life Hugely influential in his own time Introduction was translated into every European language almost immediately Why such an impact then (and now)  Written for layman (really woman)  Written in a spirit of understanding and gentleness with the human condition Nothing really new, but repackaged in the light of Reformation and Trent  Emphasis on Confession  Emphasis on authority of Fathers

Philosophical Developments During the 17 th C Rationalist: Knowledge is from innate ideas  Rene Descartes ( )  Blaise Pascal ( )  Gottfried Leibniz ( ) Empiricists: Knowledge is from senses  Francis Bacon ( )  John Locke ( )  Isaac Newton ( )

17 th C Philosophy: Rationalists Rationalist: Knowledge is from ideas Rene Descartes ( )  Mathematician and founder of analytic geometry and algebra  “I think, therefore I am”  Dualistic approach to mind and body Blaise Pascal ( )  Mathematician and discoverer of many of laws of probability  Member of Jansenists: heretical Catholic group that was very Augustinian  Pascal’s Wager on the existence of God Gottfried Leibniz ( )  Mathematician and co-discoverer of calculus  Because God is all good, this must be the best of all possible worlds  Complex metaphysics; many similarities to Stoicism  Coined term theodicy

Jansenism Cornelius Jansenius ( )  Belgian bishop  Opposed to policies of Louis XIV Wrote Augustinus, published after his death  The ‘Catholic Calvinism’  Supported Augustine’s view of corruption of man’s nature, and double predestination  Very influential in France, especially against Jesuit more optimistic view of human nature Condemned by Pope Innocent X in 1653, and French Assembly of Clergy in 1681

Convent at Port Royal and Pascal Center for spiritual and intellectual elite of France Most famous follower was Blaise Pascal, whose sister was head of convent Pascal opposed Jesuit view that man could come to some certain knowledge of God and morality through his natural reason. Pascal accepted the paradox that man was at the same time made in God’s image and man had a corrupted nature after the fall.  So man had a simultaneous claim to glory and depravity But Pascal was not just writing against the Jesuits; also against rising tide of atheism that developed after the Thirty Years War

Pascal’s Wager Can not prove with certainty that God exists But one must chose; cannot live in a state of agnosticism (same as atheism) Observing the universe would lead one to at least chance that God does exist What is lost if I believe in God, and He does not exist? What is at stake if I do not believe and He does exist? Therefore the rational thing to do is to wager for God

Quiz Review: Quiz Structure 50 minutes Closed book, closed notes Matching people and events with descriptions (25 pts) Definitions (25 pts) Match quotes from readings to authors (25 pts) Two Essays (25 pts)

Definitions: One or Two Sentence Definitions of Following (25 free points) Line of Demarcation Enculturation Baroque art Treaty of Westphalia Consubstantiation 95 Theses Edict of Nantes Anabaptists The King’s Great Matter Justification

Quotes Will not be tricky Five quotes, 9 authors If you were paying attention during class and discussions, this should not be hard Do not feel like you must go back and carefully re-read everything What were some of the most important things we read?  Albert of Mainz: Commission of Indulgences  Luther: 95 Theses; Freedom of a Christian  Calvin: Institutes; Letter on Usury  Ignatius Loyola: Spiritual Exercises  Teresa of Avila: Way of Perfection  Bartolome de las Casas: On the Indians  Francis Xavier: Letter from India  Pascal: Pensees  Francis de Sales: Introduction to Devout Life

Quiz Essay Questions Another Free 25 Points; I will select two of the following questions to which you should respond with a brief essay  Describe the historical events leading up to Luther’s revolt from Catholicism. What were some of the significant doctrinal changes that resulted from this?  Describe how Calvin’s view of Church was different from Luther’s. What were some of the doctrinal similarities and differences between them  Pick one: Teresa of Avila, Ignatius Loyola, Francis de Sales. Describe their spirituality and its impact in its own time  Describe Trent’s response to Luther on justification  Briefly describe EITHER the Spanish missionary activity in 16 th C Western Hemisphere OR the Portuguese missionary activity in 16 th C in the Orient Answers must be very specific, with many names, places, and thought as to how they relate.

Assignments 1. Bokenkotter, Chapter Francis De Sales Devout Life, Prayer, Preface and First Part of Introduction in Introduction to the Devout Life tran. John Ryan. New York: Image, Blaise Pascal Pensees Series III available at ensees03.htm ensees03.htm 4. Extra Credit: Short Paper on Missionary activities or French Spirituality; due before May 1 Good luck studying for quiz