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Antología Juan Donoso Cortés: Ensayo sobre el catolicismo, el liberalismo y el socialismo (con notas)
Ensayo sobre el catolicismo, el liberalismo y el socialismo. Juan Donoso Cortés
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1851
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 5, 2019
89/100 (= 5.3/6) ≈ 5 Stars
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Brilliant! Absolutely worth the read. It paints such a beautiful picture of Catholicism, a loud and unabashed declaration of the brilliance of our faith -- it doesn't simply show that it's wrong to think Catholicism has been made obsolete by reason (the Enlightenment, rationalism, liberalism, science) -- no, it goes much further in showing how Catholicism towers above all of these other systems!
A beautiful picture is painted of the incredible Catholic mysteries, how they all fit together so coherently, solving the most monumental, fundamental questions ever to have been conceived.
Some individual thoughts are just amazing and might not be found too quickly in other sources: on free will, sin, order, redemption, God's Will.
Prophetic in some ways, extremely difficult in others, long and drawn out at times, decorated with flowery passages at others -- in the end, it's grand.
Recommended to religious nay-sayers to see what Catholicism really has to say.
Recommended to Catholics for some brain exercise and to be inspired to praise God in his marvellous mysteries.
Recommended to Jordan Peterson fans. Donoso Cortes can brilliantly answer the questions that Jordan Peterson can brilliantly pose!! Whoever starts this book, should also finish it!!
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Brilliant! Absolutely worth the read. It paints such a beautiful picture of Catholicism, a loud and unabashed declaration of the brilliance of our faith -- it doesn't simply show that it's wrong to think Catholicism has been made obsolete by reason (the Enlightenment, rationalism, liberalism, science) -- no, it goes much further in showing how Catholicism towers above all of these other systems!
A beautiful picture is painted of the incredible Catholic mysteries, how they all fit together so coherently, solving the most monumental, fundamental questions ever to have been conceived.
Some individual thoughts are just amazing and might not be found too quickly in other sources: on free will, sin, order, redemption, God's Will.
Prophetic in some ways, extremely difficult in others, long and drawn out at times, decorated with flowery passages at others -- in the end, it's grand.
Recommended to religious nay-sayers to see what Catholicism really has to say.
Recommended to Catholics for some brain exercise and to be inspired to praise God in his marvellous mysteries.
Recommended to Jordan Peterson fans. Donoso Cortes can brilliantly answer the questions that Jordan Peterson can brilliantly pose!! Whoever starts this book, should also finish it!!
October 2, 2024
Ya dijo don Ramiro de Maeztu que en España solo han tenido reconocimiento internacional los pensadores tradicionales, ya que es nuestro terreno apropiado, este es el caso de Donoso Cortés.
Si muy brillante es su célebre discurso sobre la dictadura (especialmente cuando dice lo de las temperaturas religiosas y políticas) aquí tenemos extendida la visión alternativa a esos absurdos de las ideologías socialistas y liberales.
Acierta plenamente al ver en el socialismo un planteamiento que lleva hasta sus últimas consecuencias la revolución liberal (como ya apuntaban revolucionarios como Babeuf). El liberalismo en ese tiempo era para Donoso más cobarde, al fomentar unos principios y rechazar sus consecuencias (como hoy les ocurre a los conservadores).
Como toda cuestión política está envuelta en una cuestión teológica, las ideologías al haber desterrado a Dios se desquician, ya que solo pueden aspirar a una visión mutilada e incoherente de los problemas sociales. Así el autor es especialmente hábil al mostrar la unidad y coherencia del pensamiento católico tradicional.
Por otra parte parece un profeta cuando habla de las grandes penurias que vendrían en el futuro de Europa.
Y mientras tanto, los españolitos continúan ignorándolo.
——-
Añadimos la glosa de esta fascinante mujer:
https://youtu.be/EyQNBsGmvyI?si=6HcGo...
A sus pies, doña JA.
Si muy brillante es su célebre discurso sobre la dictadura (especialmente cuando dice lo de las temperaturas religiosas y políticas) aquí tenemos extendida la visión alternativa a esos absurdos de las ideologías socialistas y liberales.
Acierta plenamente al ver en el socialismo un planteamiento que lleva hasta sus últimas consecuencias la revolución liberal (como ya apuntaban revolucionarios como Babeuf). El liberalismo en ese tiempo era para Donoso más cobarde, al fomentar unos principios y rechazar sus consecuencias (como hoy les ocurre a los conservadores).
Como toda cuestión política está envuelta en una cuestión teológica, las ideologías al haber desterrado a Dios se desquician, ya que solo pueden aspirar a una visión mutilada e incoherente de los problemas sociales. Así el autor es especialmente hábil al mostrar la unidad y coherencia del pensamiento católico tradicional.
Por otra parte parece un profeta cuando habla de las grandes penurias que vendrían en el futuro de Europa.
Y mientras tanto, los españolitos continúan ignorándolo.
——-
Añadimos la glosa de esta fascinante mujer:
https://youtu.be/EyQNBsGmvyI?si=6HcGo...
A sus pies, doña JA.
May 8, 2025
Algunos pasajes apologéticos de hinchada retórica y árida lectura son el precio a pagar por adentrarse en la sabrosa doctrina contenida en los más famosos teoremas del pensamiento donosiano: que en toda gran cuestión política va envuelta siempre una gran cuestión teológica; que la oscuridad dogmática del catolicismo ha salvado a la razón humana de su naufragio, otorgándole un sistema civilizacional universalista; que la libertad no consiste en la facultad de escoger, sino en la facultad de querer y de entender; que la escuela liberal atribuye importancia únicamente a las cosas de gobierno y descuida las de orden religioso y social, dando la falsa apariencia de que carece de una teología política; que el socialismo, cuya ventaja radica en que no oculta su naturaleza teológica, deriva de las premisas del liberalismo, y que concretamente de la premisa liberal de la igualdad nativa de todos los hombres deriva la negación socialista de la familia, de la patria y de Dios.
March 11, 2021
Donoso Cortés börjar sin bok med generella konservativa ståndpunkter, som ingen till höger om den politiska mittlinjen kan ha något emot, baserade i historiska uttalanden och antik filosofi. Han arbetar där i den teokratiska liberal-religiösa traditionen från Salamancaskolan, som menar att frihet och ordning existerar genom gud, eftersom guds närvaro är förutsättningen för det omdöme som skapar objektiva värden, och hindrar zeloter från att förvrida dessa objektiva goda från goda till onda överdrifter. Så långt gott och väl.
Kring sida 30 övergår boken i en feberartad paian över katolisismens företräden, och över segervissheten som den kristne behöver uppleva, och över hur alla andra politiska åskådningar är förtappade. Därifrån går boken utför.
Boken lyckas inte nå sitt mål, utan är minst lika mycket en klagoskrift över att andra inte förstår författaren, som den är ett försök till bevis på katolikernas samhällsordnings överlägsenhet. Jag rekommenderar den bara så till vida att den är en instruktiv beskrivning av den spanska religiösa tradtionens filosofiska efterföljare, och så till vida att Carl Schmitt läste och övertygades av boken.
Kring sida 30 övergår boken i en feberartad paian över katolisismens företräden, och över segervissheten som den kristne behöver uppleva, och över hur alla andra politiska åskådningar är förtappade. Därifrån går boken utför.
Boken lyckas inte nå sitt mål, utan är minst lika mycket en klagoskrift över att andra inte förstår författaren, som den är ett försök till bevis på katolikernas samhällsordnings överlägsenhet. Jag rekommenderar den bara så till vida att den är en instruktiv beskrivning av den spanska religiösa tradtionens filosofiska efterföljare, och så till vida att Carl Schmitt läste och övertygades av boken.
July 23, 2021
A serious conteder to be the worst book I have ever read.
In the beginning pages, Cortés is already lamenting that with faith going into decline the same happens with the truth (no argument or any example inserted), but soon he admits that truth emerges only from God through faith, that believer is right even if stupid, while non-believer is wrong even if smart, and truth is the same as faith. If it's the same, instead of asserting that in the beginning, author tries to create appearance that we are observing as a fact (it's empirical!) the decline of the truth entailed by the decline of the faith. That's a straight sophism! And he dares to write next about denunciation of sophists who are followed by executioners.
It would be bearable if Cortés at least would be writing by theses, insights, purposefully without arguments. But no, he says he has already proved something or showed that there's a contradiction, or he says that he demonstrated something to be undeniable. Bet he does so with no arguments, speaks by theses followed by other theses (which usually are not logically following from the first ones), and then he says, look, I have proved it. That's a complete sophistry and manipulation. Not because of content but because of form of so called "thinking".
The whole problem is that the author is trying to deceive his readers by implying that he is speaking with iron logic and undeniable arguments. And in reality his main argument is that he is right because his truth are given to him by God. A sheer charlatan!
Look how he "crushes" socialism and Proudhon: "That wretch, without leaving earth, is already in hell. Those muscular, violent, and impotent contractions, this cynical phrenzy, that mad rage, that violent and tempestuous wrath, are already the contractions, the phrenzy, the rage, and the wrath of the reprobate." "It is not he who speaks then ; no, it is another who is in him, who holds him in his bonds, who has possession of him, and throws him into epileptic convulsions".
Is that even moral to denounce your opponent this way, let alone consistent with Catholicism, instead of confronting his arguments for real? Fallacy after fallacy and open intellectual fraud all the way through the book.
This is the case where supposedly demolished quotations sound considerably stronger and more serious than its critique.
Cortés is neither philosopher, nor theologian, nor historian. He is just a low-minded charlatan, a manipulator, and a narrow-minded prude. And, considering his manipulatory, condemnatory and self-rightous writing, you could even end up with conclusion that he is a really immoral man, not only with a low IQ.
If this is the best of what Catholic traditionalism has, then it is utterly failed. Not even failed but it has already been born dead.
So if you want to end up thinking that political philosophy is just a subtype of fiction literature or to end up with sympathies to liberal, socialist or atheist thought, you should definitely read this wonderful (in the worst sense of the word) book.
In the beginning pages, Cortés is already lamenting that with faith going into decline the same happens with the truth (no argument or any example inserted), but soon he admits that truth emerges only from God through faith, that believer is right even if stupid, while non-believer is wrong even if smart, and truth is the same as faith. If it's the same, instead of asserting that in the beginning, author tries to create appearance that we are observing as a fact (it's empirical!) the decline of the truth entailed by the decline of the faith. That's a straight sophism! And he dares to write next about denunciation of sophists who are followed by executioners.
It would be bearable if Cortés at least would be writing by theses, insights, purposefully without arguments. But no, he says he has already proved something or showed that there's a contradiction, or he says that he demonstrated something to be undeniable. Bet he does so with no arguments, speaks by theses followed by other theses (which usually are not logically following from the first ones), and then he says, look, I have proved it. That's a complete sophistry and manipulation. Not because of content but because of form of so called "thinking".
The whole problem is that the author is trying to deceive his readers by implying that he is speaking with iron logic and undeniable arguments. And in reality his main argument is that he is right because his truth are given to him by God. A sheer charlatan!
Look how he "crushes" socialism and Proudhon: "That wretch, without leaving earth, is already in hell. Those muscular, violent, and impotent contractions, this cynical phrenzy, that mad rage, that violent and tempestuous wrath, are already the contractions, the phrenzy, the rage, and the wrath of the reprobate." "It is not he who speaks then ; no, it is another who is in him, who holds him in his bonds, who has possession of him, and throws him into epileptic convulsions".
Is that even moral to denounce your opponent this way, let alone consistent with Catholicism, instead of confronting his arguments for real? Fallacy after fallacy and open intellectual fraud all the way through the book.
This is the case where supposedly demolished quotations sound considerably stronger and more serious than its critique.
Cortés is neither philosopher, nor theologian, nor historian. He is just a low-minded charlatan, a manipulator, and a narrow-minded prude. And, considering his manipulatory, condemnatory and self-rightous writing, you could even end up with conclusion that he is a really immoral man, not only with a low IQ.
If this is the best of what Catholic traditionalism has, then it is utterly failed. Not even failed but it has already been born dead.
So if you want to end up thinking that political philosophy is just a subtype of fiction literature or to end up with sympathies to liberal, socialist or atheist thought, you should definitely read this wonderful (in the worst sense of the word) book.
July 11, 2025
This book should have been named "Essays on Catholicism that mentions liberalism 2-3 times along with a few essays on socialism in reference to Catholicism". As an Orthodox Christian I enjoy reading Catholic thinkers since there is a beauty and depth to them that is entirely lacking in their wayward and superficial offspring known to the world as Protestants. That said this book was not one of those. The author uses verbose and convoluted word pictures along with tedious Hegelian like rationalizing to explain how Catholicism explains everything but what the Orthodox find most important, how to be a Saint deep down in the depths of one's being. I found the writing to be tedious and laborious to read, sometimes this is ok but once you decipher it you uncover a great nugget worth digging out, that was not the case, the verbose and tedious the language the more trivial and unnecessary the nugget to the point where I just started plowing though large sections looking for those rare fragments where the author wanted to be clearly understood and had something serious to say.
I have been slowly arriving at the conclusion that Western Civ, in all it's beauty and horror is really a Catholic civilization (with all subsequent revolutions being heresies of Catholicism) and this book almost completely confirms that impression. pg. 24 "Catholicity is a complete system of civilization, so complete, that in its immensity it embraces everything- the science of God, the science of the angel, the science of universe, and the science of man." He truly means that it embraces though reason everything under the sun and some. The author takes great delight in meticulously explaining just how Catholicism can explain everything too.
The West is obsessed with how to organize society so our problems go away which seems to be from this a book a very Catholic obsession. I think Catholics, Protestants, Socialists and Liberals (as in Liberalism) miss the point that what makes a state or culture Christian is not how society is organized but by the fact that everyone is acting and living in a Christian way. Like Byzantium or even more so Tsarist Russia, you can say many things about it but you can't say it wasn't a Christian state and culture when the entire society is permeated with religion.
One of his early points that I very firmly agree with is that religion is the foundation of all societies. Which is something we have totally forgotten since the peace of Prague and Westphalia and the rise of "secular" nation states or global empires. pg. 10 "This explains why, in proportion to the diminution of faith, truths diminish in the world; and why the society which turns its back on God, beholds all its horizons suddenly obscured by terrifying darkness. For this reason, religion has been considered by all men, and in all times, as the indestructible foundation of human society."
I really wished he talked more about Liberalism and Socialism. He basically dismisses Liberalism as the most contradictory, and the weakest. Socialism he mainly discusses Proudhon, mentions communism but never really talks about Marx or his ideas. His basic complaint is that they fail because they fail to answer the major theological questions.
pg. 11 Rome was the greatest because it was the most religious. The loss of faith leads to the loss of truth but not the diminution of intellect but the extravagance of intellect.
pg. "Rome succumbed because her gods succumbed; her empire came to an end because her theology ended." Is very close to something I have said for years that the dream of Rome died and so Rome died.
pg. 42 The church has placed political, domestic, social and religious truths outside of discussion because they are the source of all discussion and cannot be questioned. Something we have forgotten entirely much to our own destruction.
pg. 51 The government of the Church can be described as "an immense aristocracy, directed by an oligarchical power placed in the hands of an absolute king". Catholicity has established order in all things human.
pg. 57 he says that only the Catholics can love since only they receive knowledge from supernatural sources. This is profound hubris to my ears. Who would dare claim a monopoly on any of the virtues is absurd.
pg. 61 Man is not attracted to the truth but often runs from it or fights it. "On the contrary, between human reason and the absurd there is a secret affinity and a close relationship." An almost absurd thing to say by someone who is using human reason to flesh out theology.
pg. 62 "In the act of creation man is like unto God, and calls himself God." If you contradict truth and common sense by justifying the absurd the world will call you a magnanimous genius.
pg. 82 "The Church is perfect and holy, as her divine Founder was perfect and holy. She also, and she alone, pronounces in presence of the world that word never before heard, 'Who will accuse me of error? Who will accuse me of sin?'" The audacity is astounding to my Orthodox ears. Sure we might agree that parts of the Church and Tradition are without error but we quickly add we human representatives are nothing but error and sin. We know that the world can justly accuse us of many sins otherwise they would be part of the church.
pg. 167 "The science of the mysteries, if well considered, is nothing else but the science of all solutions." My Orthodox ears are bleeding haha. Science has no business dealing with the mysteries and human reason only in certain areas and at certain times. This sentence is really the thesis of the whole book as the entire book is extrapolating from the mysteries to the science of all solutions. I will admit it is a beautiful delusion but still delusion.
pg. 178 "Evil cannot be conceived except as an organic vice of society, or as a constitutional vice of human nature; and in this case the remedy is not in a change of government, but in changing the social organization or the constitution of man." On the one hand I agree and on the other the author himself disagrees with himself.
pg. 192 Perfection is only completed in Heaven. The knowing reader can guess my opinion. While in one sense true or beautiful Saints say otherwise.
pg. 199 Socialistic schools deify the passions. A very astute observation if somewhat obvious today. The next page elaborates and says Socialism will rebel against all traditions that oppress the divine passions. Welcome to modern madness and decadence.
pg. 233 and 237 about pain and voluntary acceptance and greatness.
pg. 267 "The real danger to human societies commenced on the day the great heresy of the sixteenth century acquired the right of citizenship in Europe. since that, there is no revolution which does not involve for society a danger of death. This consists in the fact, that as they are all founded on the Protestant heresy, they are all fundamentally heretical." Agree!
pg. 284 Socialisms practice condemns it's theories and it's theories condemn its practice. He says this over and over in slightly different ways but the rejection of sin and responsibility ends in Nihilism.
pg. 304 He is making the case that the removal of the death penalty in both civil and political areas destroys the idea that some actions are able to be judged as evil and the entire system begins to collapse. Then he says "The day shall come when the government will pass into the hands of the unfortunate(meaning the criminal), and then there will be no other crime but innocence." Welcome to today! Just a few days after Epstein not only didn't kill himself but was not guilty of any crimes either.
I have been slowly arriving at the conclusion that Western Civ, in all it's beauty and horror is really a Catholic civilization (with all subsequent revolutions being heresies of Catholicism) and this book almost completely confirms that impression. pg. 24 "Catholicity is a complete system of civilization, so complete, that in its immensity it embraces everything- the science of God, the science of the angel, the science of universe, and the science of man." He truly means that it embraces though reason everything under the sun and some. The author takes great delight in meticulously explaining just how Catholicism can explain everything too.
The West is obsessed with how to organize society so our problems go away which seems to be from this a book a very Catholic obsession. I think Catholics, Protestants, Socialists and Liberals (as in Liberalism) miss the point that what makes a state or culture Christian is not how society is organized but by the fact that everyone is acting and living in a Christian way. Like Byzantium or even more so Tsarist Russia, you can say many things about it but you can't say it wasn't a Christian state and culture when the entire society is permeated with religion.
One of his early points that I very firmly agree with is that religion is the foundation of all societies. Which is something we have totally forgotten since the peace of Prague and Westphalia and the rise of "secular" nation states or global empires. pg. 10 "This explains why, in proportion to the diminution of faith, truths diminish in the world; and why the society which turns its back on God, beholds all its horizons suddenly obscured by terrifying darkness. For this reason, religion has been considered by all men, and in all times, as the indestructible foundation of human society."
I really wished he talked more about Liberalism and Socialism. He basically dismisses Liberalism as the most contradictory, and the weakest. Socialism he mainly discusses Proudhon, mentions communism but never really talks about Marx or his ideas. His basic complaint is that they fail because they fail to answer the major theological questions.
pg. 11 Rome was the greatest because it was the most religious. The loss of faith leads to the loss of truth but not the diminution of intellect but the extravagance of intellect.
pg. "Rome succumbed because her gods succumbed; her empire came to an end because her theology ended." Is very close to something I have said for years that the dream of Rome died and so Rome died.
pg. 42 The church has placed political, domestic, social and religious truths outside of discussion because they are the source of all discussion and cannot be questioned. Something we have forgotten entirely much to our own destruction.
pg. 51 The government of the Church can be described as "an immense aristocracy, directed by an oligarchical power placed in the hands of an absolute king". Catholicity has established order in all things human.
pg. 57 he says that only the Catholics can love since only they receive knowledge from supernatural sources. This is profound hubris to my ears. Who would dare claim a monopoly on any of the virtues is absurd.
pg. 61 Man is not attracted to the truth but often runs from it or fights it. "On the contrary, between human reason and the absurd there is a secret affinity and a close relationship." An almost absurd thing to say by someone who is using human reason to flesh out theology.
pg. 62 "In the act of creation man is like unto God, and calls himself God." If you contradict truth and common sense by justifying the absurd the world will call you a magnanimous genius.
pg. 82 "The Church is perfect and holy, as her divine Founder was perfect and holy. She also, and she alone, pronounces in presence of the world that word never before heard, 'Who will accuse me of error? Who will accuse me of sin?'" The audacity is astounding to my Orthodox ears. Sure we might agree that parts of the Church and Tradition are without error but we quickly add we human representatives are nothing but error and sin. We know that the world can justly accuse us of many sins otherwise they would be part of the church.
pg. 167 "The science of the mysteries, if well considered, is nothing else but the science of all solutions." My Orthodox ears are bleeding haha. Science has no business dealing with the mysteries and human reason only in certain areas and at certain times. This sentence is really the thesis of the whole book as the entire book is extrapolating from the mysteries to the science of all solutions. I will admit it is a beautiful delusion but still delusion.
pg. 178 "Evil cannot be conceived except as an organic vice of society, or as a constitutional vice of human nature; and in this case the remedy is not in a change of government, but in changing the social organization or the constitution of man." On the one hand I agree and on the other the author himself disagrees with himself.
pg. 192 Perfection is only completed in Heaven. The knowing reader can guess my opinion. While in one sense true or beautiful Saints say otherwise.
pg. 199 Socialistic schools deify the passions. A very astute observation if somewhat obvious today. The next page elaborates and says Socialism will rebel against all traditions that oppress the divine passions. Welcome to modern madness and decadence.
pg. 233 and 237 about pain and voluntary acceptance and greatness.
pg. 267 "The real danger to human societies commenced on the day the great heresy of the sixteenth century acquired the right of citizenship in Europe. since that, there is no revolution which does not involve for society a danger of death. This consists in the fact, that as they are all founded on the Protestant heresy, they are all fundamentally heretical." Agree!
pg. 284 Socialisms practice condemns it's theories and it's theories condemn its practice. He says this over and over in slightly different ways but the rejection of sin and responsibility ends in Nihilism.
pg. 304 He is making the case that the removal of the death penalty in both civil and political areas destroys the idea that some actions are able to be judged as evil and the entire system begins to collapse. Then he says "The day shall come when the government will pass into the hands of the unfortunate(meaning the criminal), and then there will be no other crime but innocence." Welcome to today! Just a few days after Epstein not only didn't kill himself but was not guilty of any crimes either.
July 13, 2020
The first half of the book is a paen to the glories of the Faith and Incarnation. The other half is an extended discourse against the ideas of anarcho socialist liberal M Proudhon. Marx does not figure into this book, nor does any discussion of economics.
Rather, Donoso Cortes traces a history of the disturbance of the peace of society from Original Sin to the first Protestant Revolt through the French Revolution, culminating in the revolutionary Socialist movement of his time. He issues a cursory dismissal of the shallow Liberals, clearly not expecting Liberal ideology to conquer the globe. At the time Socialism certainly seemed more dangerous than Liberalism as it was direct in beliefs when the latter dithered in its inclusivity. He points out the nihilism of the socialist, who dreams of the abolition of government and of the classes - their obsession with achieving an impossibility leading then to accept unjust means of action towards that end. The weakest point of his analysis may seem to be an ignorance of the material reasons why persons may tend towards socialist movements. However, this is an analysis of ideology not policy - Liberalism and Socialism as totalizing systems of thought directly opposing Christianity.
Rather, Donoso Cortes traces a history of the disturbance of the peace of society from Original Sin to the first Protestant Revolt through the French Revolution, culminating in the revolutionary Socialist movement of his time. He issues a cursory dismissal of the shallow Liberals, clearly not expecting Liberal ideology to conquer the globe. At the time Socialism certainly seemed more dangerous than Liberalism as it was direct in beliefs when the latter dithered in its inclusivity. He points out the nihilism of the socialist, who dreams of the abolition of government and of the classes - their obsession with achieving an impossibility leading then to accept unjust means of action towards that end. The weakest point of his analysis may seem to be an ignorance of the material reasons why persons may tend towards socialist movements. However, this is an analysis of ideology not policy - Liberalism and Socialism as totalizing systems of thought directly opposing Christianity.
February 7, 2019
Cortés offers a rather rambling and effusive account of political Catholicism, against Liberalism and Socialism. Cortés makes a number of stricking criticisms of the early conceptions of Socialism offered by Proudhon, Saint-Simon, Fourier etc.. Even a short section on Robert Owen. It is striking as Marx is will also make some of the same criticisms later.
And in fact One of the oddities of the book is the broad use of a kind of Hegelian language and pseudo-logic. I don't think Cortés quite understands fully the Hegelian logic, but he seems quite acquainted with some of its more obvious modes. Cortés uses the formula Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis throughout. (without mentioning Hegel at all).
This is the Rev. William M'Donald translation.
And in fact One of the oddities of the book is the broad use of a kind of Hegelian language and pseudo-logic. I don't think Cortés quite understands fully the Hegelian logic, but he seems quite acquainted with some of its more obvious modes. Cortés uses the formula Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis throughout. (without mentioning Hegel at all).
This is the Rev. William M'Donald translation.
June 1, 2019
Um muy bueno libro. Las primeras partes son las mejores pues de manera directa explica la lógica católica en su teor político y doctrinário bien como las caracteristicas contradictórias de los socialistas y anarquistas (en especial de Proudhon). Una de las partes mas brillantes del libro son el argumento sobre la pena de muerte, sobre las cuestiones de solidariedad, reversibilidad y unidad entre los hombres. Claramente un libro escrito por un gênio (o alguién muy inspirado).
July 30, 2020
The essay is an interesting and useful introduction to the most important ideas of modernism: political traditionalism (Christianity / conservatism), liberalism and socialism. Their beginning.
However, Cortes tends to repeat itself and deviate to the pathos of Christianity. Such deviations were probably a characteristic feature of that age.
However, Cortes tends to repeat itself and deviate to the pathos of Christianity. Such deviations were probably a characteristic feature of that age.
October 30, 2021
Sintetizando: Proudhon es un endemoniado y los liberales unos herejes mediocres.
April 19, 2024
Un clásico.
Read
January 3, 2025Tanto por refutar a tantas ideas en este ensayo...
Sirve como fuente de comprensión de las teologías políticas, de la españa católica y de la reacción a los sucesos de 1848
Sirve como fuente de comprensión de las teologías políticas, de la españa católica y de la reacción a los sucesos de 1848
March 1, 2025
Juan Donoso siempre claro y con un vocabulario tan profundo que te hace leer su obra con facilidad, gran forma de abordar las problemáticas que resuelve el catolicismo
June 20, 2023
“Catholicism, Liberalism and Socialism: Considered in Their Fundamental Principles" by Juan Donoso Cortes presents a critical examination of the ideological pillars of Catholicism, liberalism, and socialism. Cortes delves into the philosophical underpinnings of these ideologies, analyzing their fundamental principles and highlighting their implications for society, morality, and governance. This review aims to provide an academic evaluation of Cortes' arguments, discussing the book's strengths, weaknesses, and its significance within the fields of political theory, philosophy, and intellectual history.
In "Catholicism, Liberalism and Socialism," Cortes engages in a comprehensive analysis of three prominent political ideologies, offering a profound critique of their fundamental principles. He explores the tension between Catholicism's emphasis on authority and tradition, liberalism's focus on individual liberty and limited government, and socialism's pursuit of collective equality and social justice. Cortes examines the ideological conflicts arising from these divergent principles, particularly regarding the role of the state, the nature of human rights, and the relationship between religion and politics.
One of the notable strengths of Cortes' work lies in his deep understanding of the intellectual foundations of Catholicism, liberalism, and socialism. He offers incisive arguments that challenge the assumptions and logic of each ideology, providing thought-provoking insights into their potential pitfalls and contradictions. Cortes' analysis serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to unravel the complexities of political thought and its intersection with religious beliefs and social ideals.
Cortes' book is characterized by its rigor and intellectual depth. His meticulous analysis of the ideological principles of Catholicism, liberalism, and socialism demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the historical, philosophical, and theological contexts in which these ideologies emerged. Cortes' ability to distill complex ideas into clear and concise arguments contributes to the book's scholarly value.
Furthermore, Cortes' critique of the potential dangers inherent in the ideologies under examination is thought-provoking. He raises important questions about the moral foundations, societal consequences, and potential conflicts arising from the adoption of these ideologies. Cortes' critical evaluation challenges readers to reassess their assumptions and engage in robust intellectual discourse.
While "Catholicism, Liberalism and Socialism" provides a comprehensive analysis of the ideological principles under scrutiny, some critics argue that Cortes' critique leans toward a conservative bias, limiting the scope for a more balanced examination. A more nuanced consideration of the merits and positive contributions of each ideology would enhance the book's analytical breadth.
Additionally, scholars contend that the book's historical focus could benefit from a more comprehensive examination of contemporary manifestations of these ideologies. An exploration of their evolution and adaptations in the modern world would provide a more relevant and up-to-date analysis of their impact on political and social thought.
"Catholicism, Liberalism and Socialism: Considered in Their Fundamental Principles" holds significant importance within the fields of political theory, philosophy, and intellectual history. Cortes' critique of these ideologies challenges prevailing assumptions and prompts critical reflections on their philosophical foundations and practical implications. The book's enduring significance lies in its ability to stimulate scholarly debates and encourage nuanced discussions on the complex relationship between political ideologies, morality, and societal organization.
GPT
In "Catholicism, Liberalism and Socialism," Cortes engages in a comprehensive analysis of three prominent political ideologies, offering a profound critique of their fundamental principles. He explores the tension between Catholicism's emphasis on authority and tradition, liberalism's focus on individual liberty and limited government, and socialism's pursuit of collective equality and social justice. Cortes examines the ideological conflicts arising from these divergent principles, particularly regarding the role of the state, the nature of human rights, and the relationship between religion and politics.
One of the notable strengths of Cortes' work lies in his deep understanding of the intellectual foundations of Catholicism, liberalism, and socialism. He offers incisive arguments that challenge the assumptions and logic of each ideology, providing thought-provoking insights into their potential pitfalls and contradictions. Cortes' analysis serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to unravel the complexities of political thought and its intersection with religious beliefs and social ideals.
Cortes' book is characterized by its rigor and intellectual depth. His meticulous analysis of the ideological principles of Catholicism, liberalism, and socialism demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the historical, philosophical, and theological contexts in which these ideologies emerged. Cortes' ability to distill complex ideas into clear and concise arguments contributes to the book's scholarly value.
Furthermore, Cortes' critique of the potential dangers inherent in the ideologies under examination is thought-provoking. He raises important questions about the moral foundations, societal consequences, and potential conflicts arising from the adoption of these ideologies. Cortes' critical evaluation challenges readers to reassess their assumptions and engage in robust intellectual discourse.
While "Catholicism, Liberalism and Socialism" provides a comprehensive analysis of the ideological principles under scrutiny, some critics argue that Cortes' critique leans toward a conservative bias, limiting the scope for a more balanced examination. A more nuanced consideration of the merits and positive contributions of each ideology would enhance the book's analytical breadth.
Additionally, scholars contend that the book's historical focus could benefit from a more comprehensive examination of contemporary manifestations of these ideologies. An exploration of their evolution and adaptations in the modern world would provide a more relevant and up-to-date analysis of their impact on political and social thought.
"Catholicism, Liberalism and Socialism: Considered in Their Fundamental Principles" holds significant importance within the fields of political theory, philosophy, and intellectual history. Cortes' critique of these ideologies challenges prevailing assumptions and prompts critical reflections on their philosophical foundations and practical implications. The book's enduring significance lies in its ability to stimulate scholarly debates and encourage nuanced discussions on the complex relationship between political ideologies, morality, and societal organization.
GPT
January 2, 2015
5 stars for the quality of the prose; 1 for that of its arguments. In this Donoso Cortes is rather like that other famous Catholic apologist, G.K. Chesterton; they are unlike in that I would much rather have Mr. Chesterton than Marques Cortes over for dinner, but that hardly impugns the quality of the work itself.
August 8, 2015
Some outstanding insights in this book. However large tracts are what I would call 'baroque.' Cortes flies into mystic and elaborate language that is difficult to follow. At times compelling at times quite boring.
September 5, 2015
Even through it's baroque language (usual in his time), Donoso's fine and logical reasonings turn the chaos in actual world in a ver clear and a consistente effect of what we are and what we are done.
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