Fides et Ratio
TRS 101 AZ
Justin Danforth
Professor Rope
September 29th, 2013
Fides et Ratio
When looking at the context of the Fides et Ratio, John Paul II expresses on “crisis of meaning” in contemporary society. Throughout this section John Paul II offers examples on how the crisis of meaning has emerged. John Paul II touches on “scientism” and “pragmatism” and how these have affected modern society and are believed to be steering individuals in the wrong direction. John Paul II also includes other non-religious or philosophical based attitudes toward the contemporary society. John Paul II seems to be expressing his thoughts towards the “crisis of meaning” in hope to regain focus from individuals on the value of religion in contemporary society. Although John Paul II raises many well thought out reasons supporting the idea that there is what he calls a “crisis of meaning” in modern society, Sigmund Freud’s theories of how humanities’ desire for meaning in life is actually just delaying the inevitable and compounding the struggles of life The sooner people accept that in the end, everyone dies, and after that there is nothing, the sooner one can succeed without regret or worry, and the better society will be.
“Crisis of meaning” is stated by John Paul II to be one of the most important attributes in the current state of our society around the world. Pope John Paul II believes that people in contemporary society are beginning to question if it still makes sense to know the meaning of one’s life. When looking at “crisis of meaning” from a scientific perspective, the increase in knowledge on the subject makes the search for the meaning of life problematic. The amount of research and data introduced because of the increase in human knowledge in contemporary society has started to “compromise the fabric of life” (Fides et Ratio, #81). The display of theories that compete with one another, and how people view and interpret the world and human life serve to “aggravate the
Justin Danforth
Professor Rope
September 29th, 2013
Fides et Ratio
When looking at the context of the Fides et Ratio, John Paul II expresses on “crisis of meaning” in contemporary society. Throughout this section John Paul II offers examples on how the crisis of meaning has emerged. John Paul II touches on “scientism” and “pragmatism” and how these have affected modern society and are believed to be steering individuals in the wrong direction. John Paul II also includes other non-religious or philosophical based attitudes toward the contemporary society. John Paul II seems to be expressing his thoughts towards the “crisis of meaning” in hope to regain focus from individuals on the value of religion in contemporary society. Although John Paul II raises many well thought out reasons supporting the idea that there is what he calls a “crisis of meaning” in modern society, Sigmund Freud’s theories of how humanities’ desire for meaning in life is actually just delaying the inevitable and compounding the struggles of life The sooner people accept that in the end, everyone dies, and after that there is nothing, the sooner one can succeed without regret or worry, and the better society will be.
“Crisis of meaning” is stated by John Paul II to be one of the most important attributes in the current state of our society around the world. Pope John Paul II believes that people in contemporary society are beginning to question if it still makes sense to know the meaning of one’s life. When looking at “crisis of meaning” from a scientific perspective, the increase in knowledge on the subject makes the search for the meaning of life problematic. The amount of research and data introduced because of the increase in human knowledge in contemporary society has started to “compromise the fabric of life” (Fides et Ratio, #81). The display of theories that compete with one another, and how people view and interpret the world and human life serve to “aggravate the