Can anybody clue me in on the overlap between Catholicism and Phenomenology? It seems to me that Catholic Universities have a choice between Neo-Thomism and Phenomenology and that the ones that choose N-T’ism are completely sidelined, whereas the Schools (The Loyola’s, G-Town, and BC) that pursue P’logy are able to participate. Perhaps it is a question of orders. All the above named unis are Jesuit.
Any answers?
Jack
Jack,
I can really only speculate about this. The reasons are going to be sociological more than anything I else. Fellows like Jean-Luc Marion have done work on the idea of ‘God beyond being’, taking cues from the later Heidegger, and being informed by religious concerns that are distinctly Catholic in nature, being that they are, after all, French. The relationship between Catholic thought and phenomenology seems to me to stem from this fact. It is strange though, since Aquinas was heavily influenced by Aristotle, as was Heidegger. In fact the biography of the latter is probably sufficient in itself to answer your question.
Regards,
James
yeah the Heideggerian thing and his early exposure to Jesuit seminarians (SJ right? I can’t remember everything about the early lives of evil german philosophers.) has come to me a couple of times.This is going to be my winter project. I’ve got some Hans Jonas coming in the mail to start, so I’ll keep you posted.
jack
Sounds like a plan. 
As I hear it, one of Husserl’s secretaries, Edith Stein, converted to Catholacism, became a nun, was killed in the Holocaust (as she was still Jewish by race), and has been named a Catholic saint. This probably says that Phenomenology is safe philosophy as a saint used it. (Works of those considered for canonization are scrutinized for errors.)
I’ve also heard it said Phenomenology is a lot of work to get where Aristotle started from.
I think Max Scheler was a Catholic and a Phenomenologist, and I find what little I’ve read of his thought compatible with the Catholic philosophical tradition. An issue dedicated to his thought appeared a little while back as the American Catholic Philosophical Association’s publication – whence I heard of his work.
mrn
Now, maybe you can answer me a question…
What is the link between Phenomenology and Existentialism?
I’ve heard of a philosophic organization which sponsors both fields.
Well? What is the relationship between Christianity and existentialism? Have you read any Kierkegaard? I think it was Karl Barth who said ‘Every theologian should study Kierkegaard, but none should be Kierkegaardian.’ In any case, you might also take a look at Badiou’s book on St. Paul.
James