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The Order of Things
Father James Schall, the well-known author and professor of philosophy at Georgetown University, inquires about the various orders found in the cosmos, the human mind, the human body, the city, and he seeks to reflect upon the unity of these orders.In a world in which the presence of reason and order are denied � presumably in the name of science � in favor of chance explanations of why things are as they are, it is surprising to find that, in the various realms open to the human intellect, we find a persistent order revealed. At first sight, it may seem that this reality can be explained by chance occurrence, but after a point, there is a growing sense that behind things there is, in fact, an order. This order can be traced in the many areas that are open to the human mind. As Aquinas has noted, the order within the cosmos points to an order outside of it, since the cosmos cannot be the cause of its own internal order. Philosophers have long inquired about the curious fact that the order of things implies not a mere relationship of one thing to another, but a hint that the universe is created with a certain superabundance. Why is the universe, and the things within it, not only ordered but, ordered with a sense of beauty? Not only is there an order in things, but also the human mind seems attuned to this order as something it delights in discovering. This relationship implies that there is some correspondence between mind and reality. What is the relationship between the mind and reality? The Order of Things explores this question. Relying on common sense and the experience available to everyone, Schall concludes that it requires more credulity to disbelieve in order than to experience it. Finally, Schall explores the fundamental cause of order, what it is like? Having looked at the order of the created universe, it is not surprising that the revelation of the Godhead is itself ordered in terms of an inner relationship of Persons.
225 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2007
21 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
James V. Schall
91 books86 followersFr. James V. Schall, SJ was Professor of Political Philosophy at Georgetown University.
He was born in Pocahontas, Iowa, January 20, 1928. Educated in public schools in Iowa, he graduated in 1945 from Knoxville, Iowa High, and then attended University of Santa Clara. He earned an MA in Philosophy from Gonzaga University in 1945.
After time in the U.S. Army (1946-47), he joined the Society of Jesus (California Province) in 1948. He received a PhD in Political Theory from Georgetown University in 1960, and an MST from University of Santa Clara four years later. Fr. Schall was a member of the Faculty of Institute of Social Sciences, Gregorian University, Rome, from 1964-77, and a member of the Government Department, University of San Francisco, from 1968-77. He has been a member of the Government Department at Georgetown University since 1977.
Fr. Schall has written hundreds of essays on political, theological, literary, and philosophical issues in such journals as The Review of Politics, Social Survey (Melbourne), Studies (Dublin), The Thomist, Divus Thomas (Piacenza), Divinitas (Rome), The Commonweal, Thought, Modern Age, Faith and Reason, The Way (London), The New Oxford Review, University Bookman, Worldview, and many others. He contributes regularly to Crisis and Homiletic & Pastoral Review.
He iss the author of numerous books on social issues, spirituality, culture, and literature.
He was born in Pocahontas, Iowa, January 20, 1928. Educated in public schools in Iowa, he graduated in 1945 from Knoxville, Iowa High, and then attended University of Santa Clara. He earned an MA in Philosophy from Gonzaga University in 1945.
After time in the U.S. Army (1946-47), he joined the Society of Jesus (California Province) in 1948. He received a PhD in Political Theory from Georgetown University in 1960, and an MST from University of Santa Clara four years later. Fr. Schall was a member of the Faculty of Institute of Social Sciences, Gregorian University, Rome, from 1964-77, and a member of the Government Department, University of San Francisco, from 1968-77. He has been a member of the Government Department at Georgetown University since 1977.
Fr. Schall has written hundreds of essays on political, theological, literary, and philosophical issues in such journals as The Review of Politics, Social Survey (Melbourne), Studies (Dublin), The Thomist, Divus Thomas (Piacenza), Divinitas (Rome), The Commonweal, Thought, Modern Age, Faith and Reason, The Way (London), The New Oxford Review, University Bookman, Worldview, and many others. He contributes regularly to Crisis and Homiletic & Pastoral Review.
He iss the author of numerous books on social issues, spirituality, culture, and literature.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 31, 2021
A philosophical look at order in the universe, from God down to political philosophy. The mind, beauty, discussion of various philosophers and exactly what is meant by rule.
August 17, 2023
A superb primer on the spirit undergirding classical education. It would be an ideal resource for an Intro to Philosophy course or for anyone who's interested in what we mean when we talk about "the human things" and "the transcendent"—it's much more accessible for this purpose, say, than Wilson's The Vision of the Soul (even though Schall occasionally still does that annoying academic thing where he says "of course" to things that the average Westerner has no idea about). If you already have a basic grounding in logic, philosophy, aesthetics, and theology; most of it will be familiar, but that doesn't make it any less worthwhile to have on the shelf.
May 12, 2022
I loved this book, even when it was a very weighty read at times. Hence, taking me a few weeks to read. It made me think, this is the way we should be thinking about our world today – the order and meaning of things in a spiritual outlook, instead of the chaos we see all around us. I felt it was more of a philosophy book, instead of a theology one. Yet, this book should be read by all students today in High School, or College to give them a clear view on the order of things, that connect the whole human experience, that links the body, soul and mind, into the full relationship of the unity of the whole cosmos, that has Holy Trinity at the centre of it.
June 1, 2025
It was heavy but really thoughtful. I already have plans to re-read it and look through my pencilled highlights. Fr. Schall is unparalleled. Highly recommended. Just know that this isn't the kind of book that you can listen to as an audiobook while doing other things or enjoy while music is in the background. It demands and deserves your full attention.
September 27, 2011
That mythological works begin with man and continue on to God, wherein Schall begins with God and continues on to man, shows the author truly does know the Order of Things.
This is an age, as we all know, in which the irrational seems to reign supreme, but whence? Schall argues when man dreams up alternative provisional truths to Ultimate Truth, all manner of things can become disordered, not last, man's soul.
The argument is, there is an Order to things, even a Meta-Order to the physical order we encounter in everyday life.
To begin, God, in Trinitarian form, consisting of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is Wholly complete, internally consistent, and in need of nothing. Creation, the Cosmos, is created out of mercy rather than Justice or even Necessity. The order of things, and our relation to God is not to be surmised by measuring the distances and weights of the Cosmos, but rather Intent. Though we may come later naturally, God had us in mind at the beginning of Creation. We are the reason for the Cosmos, in fact. Shocking? In this day and age, surely, though this idea shouldn't be.
More, this Creation is a Cosmos as the Ancients saw it, an intelligible Whole, and not a Chaos. Though through the Fall, we may not see or experience things in their proper relationship to one another, there is Hope in Redemption (of which also has an order.)
Beginning with the order of the Godhead and culminating in the order of Beauty, Schall makes the argument cogently and consistently we are not here by accident. Besides explaining the order of things, the author explains in seconds many tenets of Faith that have been argued for centuries. Most importantly to me, Free Will is breezily expounded upon, wherein I am sucker-punched into understanding it.
They say when the student is ready, the teacher arrives. Thank you, Mr. Schall for reminding me of what I already knew.
This is an age, as we all know, in which the irrational seems to reign supreme, but whence? Schall argues when man dreams up alternative provisional truths to Ultimate Truth, all manner of things can become disordered, not last, man's soul.
The argument is, there is an Order to things, even a Meta-Order to the physical order we encounter in everyday life.
To begin, God, in Trinitarian form, consisting of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is Wholly complete, internally consistent, and in need of nothing. Creation, the Cosmos, is created out of mercy rather than Justice or even Necessity. The order of things, and our relation to God is not to be surmised by measuring the distances and weights of the Cosmos, but rather Intent. Though we may come later naturally, God had us in mind at the beginning of Creation. We are the reason for the Cosmos, in fact. Shocking? In this day and age, surely, though this idea shouldn't be.
More, this Creation is a Cosmos as the Ancients saw it, an intelligible Whole, and not a Chaos. Though through the Fall, we may not see or experience things in their proper relationship to one another, there is Hope in Redemption (of which also has an order.)
Beginning with the order of the Godhead and culminating in the order of Beauty, Schall makes the argument cogently and consistently we are not here by accident. Besides explaining the order of things, the author explains in seconds many tenets of Faith that have been argued for centuries. Most importantly to me, Free Will is breezily expounded upon, wherein I am sucker-punched into understanding it.
They say when the student is ready, the teacher arrives. Thank you, Mr. Schall for reminding me of what I already knew.
November 5, 2012
With interest in reading theologians who explore a 'theology of order,' I found this title by James Schall. Knowing given things, both physical and spiritual, as they are is the key ingredient to wisdom and happiness. This is Schall's thesis. Understanding given realities in this world according to their own particularity and their participation in a greater whole is the means by which one sees the beauty of God's creation. In a way, this book could be perceived as an outgrowth from Proverbs 8: the world was made by the Wisdom of God. Schall desires to know that wisdom, discovering given things as they disclose themselves in the act of contemplation.
Schall's brief work is philosophical in nature, but not overly technical for one who doesn't have much training in philosophy. He writes in the Thomistic/Aristotelian tradition and it is that tradition which produces his work. For anyone who has been interested in St. Thomas Aquinas this is an excellent primer to further Thomistic studies.
While this book is not practical, it provides a way of seeing that should give Christians a new interpretive key to conflicts and dilemmas in everyday life. To see order is the first step in addressing disorder, whether in the life of the soul, the life of a family, or a city. To glimpse the arrangement of this grand creation in all her constituent parts, great and small, relating in harmony--this is the vision we seek. For in seeing these as they were intended in their essence and their relations, we glimpse the mind of the Maker which inspires us to the worship and contemplation of God.
Schall's brief work is philosophical in nature, but not overly technical for one who doesn't have much training in philosophy. He writes in the Thomistic/Aristotelian tradition and it is that tradition which produces his work. For anyone who has been interested in St. Thomas Aquinas this is an excellent primer to further Thomistic studies.
While this book is not practical, it provides a way of seeing that should give Christians a new interpretive key to conflicts and dilemmas in everyday life. To see order is the first step in addressing disorder, whether in the life of the soul, the life of a family, or a city. To glimpse the arrangement of this grand creation in all her constituent parts, great and small, relating in harmony--this is the vision we seek. For in seeing these as they were intended in their essence and their relations, we glimpse the mind of the Maker which inspires us to the worship and contemplation of God.
September 28, 2014
The author of this book, Fr. James Schall, is a professor of political science at Georgetown University. So far, so good....
December 25, 2012
An Amazing Read, making the case for a Rational Creation, Creator and His Plan for Redemption of fallen Creation.
Currently reading
May 24, 2012This is one of those books where just the title and TOC cause me to say: "hey, I was going to write that!"
December 26, 2013
Top 10 all time I think...
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews