The Problem of the Idea of Culture in John Paul II: Exposing the Disruptive Agency of the Philosophy of Karol Wojtyla

The Problem of the Idea of Culture in John Paul II: Exposing the Disruptive Agency of the Philosophy of Karol Wojtyła exposes Wojtyła as a disruptive agency in contemporary philosophical debates, reformulating the problem of experience in light of the questions surrounding our idea of culture. Reconsidering the anthropological foundations of this idea, John Corrigan argues that the problem of experience manifests in the apparently divergent accounts of the meaning of human experience as presented by the philosophies of being and of consciousness. Wojtyła’s contemplation of the meaning of human existence led him to the problems of the structure of the person, human action, and the constitutive aspects of human culture. Analyzing the first two problems leads to an idea of the person capable of explaining human experience in relation to human culture; a proper understanding unfolds the experiences of self-knowledge, conscience, and the ontic-causal relationship of the person to human culture. The first part of the book concerns formal considerations regarding the constitutive aspects of Wojtyła’s approach, while the second part deals with pragmatic considerations drawn from his comments on culture. Corrigan provides a new lens with which to view and understand the philosophy of Karol Wojtyła/John Paul II.

Table of Contents:
Contents Preface Part I The Problem of the Constitution of Culture as Idea and Thing Introduction Chapter 1: Theoretical Components Chapter 2: A Proper Idea of Human Culture Requires a Proper Idea of the Humanum and of the Human Person Chapter 3: The Constitution of Human Culture Through Human Praxis Part II The Problem of The Idea of Culture: Considered Thematically Chapter 4: Critique of Errant Ideas in Relation to the Person and Culture Chapter 5: John Paul II’s “Definitions” of Culture Chapter 6: The “Culture of ‘X’ Expressions” of John Paul II Conclusion Appendix: Important Vocabulary Afterword: The Relationship Between Pope John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan Cold War Theo Drama by Robert Orlando

About the Author :
John Corrigan is professor of philosophy and theology at Immaculata University.

Review :
John Corrigan’s knowledge of the philosophical thought of Karol Wojtyla-John Paul II is difficult to surpass. His research and insights are at once fascinating and brilliant. He deserves our gratitude for pursuing this unique work on the late Pole’s profound thinking on the human person and human culture. This is a timeless examination needed just as badly in our time today as it was in the time of Wojtyla. In this book, Wojtyla’s philosophical reflections on human culture reveal more about him and his work thanks to the original treatment and enriched bibliography of John Corrigan. In his book, John Corrigan offers a comprehensive and well-researched insight into authentic human culture in light of Karol Wojtyla’s personalistic thought by exploring the intrinsic link between culture and the transcendent character of the human person.