Free thought; Modernism (Christian theology) -- Catholic Church; Religion and science; Teaching, Freedom of
These examples will suffice, though volumes of them could be
written. They show us clearly a twofold certainty. The difference
between the natural and scientific certainty is not that the
former is a blind conviction formed at random, but only that one
is not clearly conscious of the reasons on which it rests, whereas
this is the case in scientific certitude. We see further the
untrained power of the intellect manifest itself in natural
knowledge and certainty; for this purpose it is primarily created;
philosophical thought is difficult for it, and many have no talent
at all for it. It is also unfailing in apprehending directly
things pertaining to human life. Here the mind is free of that
morbid scepticism of which it too easily becomes a prey when it
begins to investigate and probe scientifically. What it there sees
with certainty cannot always be found here distinctly, and thus
the mind begins to doubt things it was hitherto sure of, and which
often remain instinctively certain to the mind despite its
artificial doubts. Now we can also understand why philosophers so
often have doubts which to the untrained look absurd, and why
philosophers differ in their opinions on most important things,
whereas mankind guided by its natural certitude is unanimous in
them.
This certainty is destined to be the reliable guide of man through life.
It precedes science, and can even exist without it. Long before there was
a science of art and of jurisprudence the Babylonians and Egyptians had
built their monuments, and _Solon_ and _Lycurgus_ had given their wise
laws. And long before philosophers were disputing about the moral laws,
men had the right view in regard to virtue and vice (cf. _Cicero_, De
Oratore, I, 32). The same certitude is also destined to guide man in the
more important questions, in the questions of religion and morality. The
Creator of human nature and its destiny, who implanted instinct in the
animal to guide it unconsciously in the necessities of life, has also
given to man the necessary light to perceive with certainty truths without
which it would be impossible to live a life worthy of man.
It is just this natural knowledge and certitude that gives man certainty
of divine revelation, after God vouchsafed to give it to mankind for its
unfailing guidance and help. For revelation was not only intended for
theologians, Bible critics, philosophers, and Church-historians, but for
all. And God has taken care, as He had to do, that man has ample evidence
that God has spoken, and that the Church is the authorized Guardian of
this revelation, even without critical research in history and philosophy.
We have elsewhere briefly stated this evidence in the words of the Vatican
Council.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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