The Dearest Freshness Deep Down Things: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Being

by Pierre-Marie Emonet

In a series of three small books, Pierre-Marie Emonet brings the riches of philosophy within the reach of all, not just those with the time and inclination to work through erudite philosophical treatises. Reaching out to the ordinary person unfamiliar with technical philosophical language, he frequently turns to the words of the poets in order to approach the same truths investigated by the philosophers, recognizing that "the poets also are attracted - like the bee by the flower - by what is most profound, most hidden, most substantial in the things of nature." In this first volume, Emonet introduces the basic principles of classical Thomistic metaphysics using clear, simple language, exploring the mystery of the origin of things in the world, their purpose, and their final end. The following two volumes will treat the philosophy of the human person and the philosophy of God.

Genres: Philosophy

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 25, 1999

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sublime little book! In attempting to give a non-technical introduction to some of the basic principles of Thomist/Aristotelian metaphysics, this book can be compared to works like Adler's Aristotle for Everybody, though Emonet is much more focused on explaining metaphysics as a propadeutic for theology. Yet where Adler aims to give a sober, systematic treatise, Emonet writes a sort of love letter to reality, suffused with an unpretentious mysticism and absorbed in wonder, eager to find parallels in poetry and theology for the insights of metaphysics. An excellent introduction to philosophy as the love of wisdom and prelude to theology, it is also a great review and meditation even for those familiar with far more technical approaches to this subject matter.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a regular day in the rural mountains of Western South Carolina sipping Rosé Vin de France, listening to Requiem K. 626, and reading Thomist metaphysics.

But this book is actually really good in capturing how art and philosophy are so integrally related. The prose style is so beautiful; it makes philosophy so fun to read.

[sch · Rating 5 out of 5]

2021 Aug. Excited about this volume.

A few chapters in I was skeptical, but then Chapter 9 ("The Language of Things") summarized the preceding eight parts into a clear whole: seven elaborations on "being," the subject of the first chapter. The next three chapters have a clear unity of their own (vestiges of the Trinity within each created thing), so at this point I'm pretty much sold: this is a GREAT book. The brevity of each chapter (never more than four pages), and the frequent use of poetry (mostly French and German) are the two most important features of each individual chapter. Not at all an intimidating work, easy to digest, illuminating. I'll take it slow.

Finished, and my earlier judgments apply to the whole book. He has filled in a few small but significant gaps in my education, and whetted my appetite for more.

[Grace]

Not a bad book to choose for the beginning of a self-directed inquiry into Thomistic metaphysics—not because it explains things, but because it raises questions in a new light.

—

Would probably be worth revisiting after a more technical, systematic treatment.