The Pope’s Encyclical Letter
Fides begins the encyclical with an introduction called “Know yourself”, otherwise called the Socratic injunction about the function of in questioning and giving answers to questions regarding human life.[1] The directive states that Christianity perceives philosophy as a way that leads humanity to the understanding of the essential facts about life as well as providing vital help to Christians to clearly and vividly understand their faith and enable them to preach the Gospel as accurate as it is to unbelievers. Regrettably, the present-day philosophy has failed to measure up to the standards and to stand up for the truth as it is. As a result, it is languishing in relativism and uncertainty.[2] This unsatisfying situation led the Pope to script the encyclical letter with the aim to restore to the current generations an honest conviction in their aptitude to understand and question lamentable aspects of philosophy to reinstate and improve their poise.
The Relationship between Religion and Science
Regarding whether or not there is a relationship between science and religion, the Pope emphasized that the existing relationship between religion and science can only be determined through witty dimensions and positive perception of science. Science is best known for its ability to deal with weak and incomplete knowledge, and contingent and experiential discoveries. Moreover, it deals with subjective certainty or utilitarian objectives which may deprive ethical knowledge, theological, religious, metaphysics, and can as well influence a person’s ultimate search for truth. In proper relation of religion and science, the Pope claims that Jesus Christ per se revealed the truth. He further maintains that religion Theology does not conflict with the fact which is searched by scientists.[3] The Pope believes that there is only one God and He has the power to guarantee and establish the reasonableness and intelligibility of the natural order which forms the foundation on which researchers confidently depend.
The relationship between self and world knowledge
On the relationship between world knowledge and self-knowledge, the Pope claims that the people search to determine the ultimate facts about the meaning of their being, the ultimate truths about the world, and themselves. They hunt to discover the basis of their very existence and the purpose of the world that they find themselves.[4] This is seen during the temple of Delphi and in the ancient history during from whence came Pope’s title ‘man knows thyself.’ This is used as a reprimand to people who may dream of learning the reality within the limits of personal consciousness the pursuit for humanity.
Theology and Philosophy
Pope highlighted many aspects in which theology and philosophy complement and interact with each other. The Pope claims that philosophy deals with the study of intelligent questioning, logical analysis, ultimate truth, interpretation of facts and critical inquiry within the acceptable light of thought. He maintains that philosophy is sovereign both in method and principle. On the contrary, the Pope posits that theology deals with the study of Christianity and the Catholic faith basing on revelation as the principal component. It the follows that:
Theology’s source and starting-point must always be the word of God revealed in history, while its final goal will be an understanding of that word which increases with each passing generation of that word which increases with each passing generation.[5]
This defines the evident relationship between theology and philosophy. However, philosophy has further come up with two discrete strategies to theology that facilitate a better understanding of faith thus, the intellectus fidei and the auditus Fidei.
Bibliography
Paul II, Catholic Church: John Paul II). 1998. Faith And Reason : Encyclical Letter Fides Et Ratio Of The Supreme Pontiff John Paul II To The Bishops Of The Catholic Church On The Relationship Between Faith And Reason.. Dublin: Veritas.
Paul, John. 1999. The Splendor Of Truth : Veritatis Splendor, Encyclical Letter. Boston: Pauline Books & Media.
Sala, Giovanni. 2002. “The Encyclical Letter Of Pope John Paul II, Fides Et Ratio”. Lonergan Workshop 17: 197-208. doi:10.5840/lw20021712.
Ślipko, Tadeusz. 2003. “Marian I. Morawski’s Conception Of Philosophy As Applied To Contemporary Discussion Of John Paul II Encyclical Fides Et Ratio”. Forum Philosophicum 8: 76-80. doi:10.5840/forphil2003810.
[1] The Splendor Of Truth : Veritatis Splendor, Encyclical Letter
[2] Faith And Reason
[3] Encyclical Letter Fides Et Ratio Of The Supreme Pontiff John Paul II To The Bishops Of The Catholic Church On The Relationship Between Faith And Reason.
[4] The Encyclical Letter Of Pope John Paul II, Fides Et Ratio
[5] Marian I. Morawski’s Conception Of Philosophy As Applied To Contemporary Discussion Of John Paul II Encyclical Fides Et Ratio
