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Ordering Love: Liberal Societies and the Memory of God
Metaphysical study of God, love, technology, and culture in modern society
Reality most basically and properly considered, says David L. Schindler, is an order of love ― a gift that finds its objective only in an entire way of life. Love is what first brings things into existence, and everything exists in, through, and for love. With this understanding of reality, Schindler explores how modern culture marginalizes love, regarding it at best as a matter of piety or goodwill rather than as the very stuff that makes our lives and the things of the world real.
Schindler examines how Western civilization’s fixation with technology ― especially its displacement of experience with experiment and its privileging of knowing and making ― has undermined its capacity to build an authentic human culture. Schindler sees this as a technological age not simply because of technological advancements but because of the way we think as the result of our technological orientation. He shows, within the context of politics, economics, science, and cultural and professional life generally, that God-centered love is what gives things their deepest and most proper order and meaning.
Reality most basically and properly considered, says David L. Schindler, is an order of love ― a gift that finds its objective only in an entire way of life. Love is what first brings things into existence, and everything exists in, through, and for love. With this understanding of reality, Schindler explores how modern culture marginalizes love, regarding it at best as a matter of piety or goodwill rather than as the very stuff that makes our lives and the things of the world real.
Schindler examines how Western civilization’s fixation with technology ― especially its displacement of experience with experiment and its privileging of knowing and making ― has undermined its capacity to build an authentic human culture. Schindler sees this as a technological age not simply because of technological advancements but because of the way we think as the result of our technological orientation. He shows, within the context of politics, economics, science, and cultural and professional life generally, that God-centered love is what gives things their deepest and most proper order and meaning.
- GenresPhilosophyTheology
469 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2011
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About the author
David L. Schindler
30 books12 followersDavid L. Schindler is Edouard Cardinal Gagnon Professor of Fundamental Theology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. He is the editor of Communio: International Catholic Review (Anglo-American edition).
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 13, 2024
Last month, someone asked me what social issues I care about, and I responded by emphasizing the importance of stillness, rest, wonder, and surprise. It's such a delight to discover that I have a kindred spirit in David Schindler.
May 15, 2016
One of the most profound and most important books I've ever read.
September 16, 2020
our love narrows to the size of our truth
economics and politics - Christian difference: not merely additional motivation, but inner transformation
"...love...is...filial: we are not the unoriginated origins of love but participants in a love that is always first given to us by God. And this love is by nature radically social: it is at once God-centered and inclusive of the whole of creation..." pp.436-7.
"...man was created [for] ... participation in God's love.... [which is] ...patient and prudential rather than coercive action toward others in one's economic and political activity... [and this] involves sacrifice and suffering." p.439.
"...the Church affirms the notion of the common good, rather than that of public order, and the proper purpose of political and economic activity." p.443.
"Rights...are properly invested in every person, but no person is a solitary agent who can be abstracted from relations." p.446.
"technology is never merely technology" n. 69 Caritas in Veritate
"Technology...[should be] integrated into the idea of creation as something first given to man, as gift, "not something self-generated (n. 68 [Caritas in Veritate]) or produced by man." p.448.
economics and politics - Christian difference: not merely additional motivation, but inner transformation
"...love...is...filial: we are not the unoriginated origins of love but participants in a love that is always first given to us by God. And this love is by nature radically social: it is at once God-centered and inclusive of the whole of creation..." pp.436-7.
"...man was created [for] ... participation in God's love.... [which is] ...patient and prudential rather than coercive action toward others in one's economic and political activity... [and this] involves sacrifice and suffering." p.439.
"...the Church affirms the notion of the common good, rather than that of public order, and the proper purpose of political and economic activity." p.443.
"Rights...are properly invested in every person, but no person is a solitary agent who can be abstracted from relations." p.446.
"technology is never merely technology" n. 69 Caritas in Veritate
"Technology...[should be] integrated into the idea of creation as something first given to man, as gift, "not something self-generated (n. 68 [Caritas in Veritate]) or produced by man." p.448.
July 17, 2013
It is refreshing to read a philosopher who doesn't try to check his theology at the door. His theological moorings allow him to mount a serious challenge to contemporary liberalism.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews