The Concept of Sin

by Josef Pieper, Edward T.S.J. Oakes

In ordinary conversation, including among the "educated", the word "sin" rarely gets mentioned except when one is trying to be coy or facetious. As Thomas Mann once said, "sin" is nowadays "an amusing word used only when one is trying to get a laugh". But this small work will interpret sin in its true -- that is, serious -- meaning. What will emerge from its analysis is the discovery that the concept of sin can still serve to unlock the mystery of existence, at least for a thinking that wants to press down to the very foundations. Needless to say, such an effort will require a kind of "mining energy" of an archeologist of ideas who knows how to recover what was once known (or at least suspected) from time immemorial but has now been forgotten. But Josef Pieper does more than bring to bear on this issue his famous powers of excavation; he also makes meaningful the concept of sin to the ways of thinking and speaking of our time. Readers of his work already know Pieper as an extraordinarily fitting master in this art of making "the wisdom of the ages" a living reality today. And in this work he brings Plato, Augustine, and Thomas Aquinas into a living dialogue with T. S. Eliot, Andre Gide, even with Jean-Paul Sartre. As he shows in this powerful work, none of these writers leaves any doubt that the fact of sin is It is the willful denial of one's own life-ground, a denial that alone rightly bears the name of "sin". Paradoxically, this reality is both willed and yet also pre-given, that is, both adventitious and yet somehow innate to our existence -- a paradox which, next to the mystery of existence itself, is the most impenetrable mystery of all.

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Religion, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Josef Pieper was a German Catholic philosopher and an important figure in the resurgence of interest in the thought of Thomas Aquinas in early-to-mid 20th-century philosophy. Among his most notable works are The Four Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance; Leisure, the Basis of Culture; and Guide to Thomas Aquinas (published in England as Introduction to Thomas Aquinas).

Reviews

[Nathan White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A penetrating work on the concept and nature of sin. It isn't a work of explicitly Christian theology. The author, who was Roman Catholic, relies more on natural revelation and insight in writing on the issues of sin, guilt, the human condition, etc. He quotes the ancient Greeks all throughout, as well as those in the Christian tradition such as Thomas Aquinas. And rarely does his Catholic theology show up. I highly recommend as a fascinating and thought-provoking read to the Christian and the non-Christian alike. It is short and accessible, and will undoubtedly leave you deeply impacted. [Edit - Let me also add a small word of caution: his Roman theology slightly appears at times, specifically in relation to attributing sin as an integral aspect of being a created being, and perhaps his distinction of mortal sins. These are potentially dangerous errors when taken to their logical conclusion, but thankfully they only briefly appear in this work.]

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be read by everyone, it takes the Philosophical reflections as well as cultural reflections on the meaning of sin. By the time your done reading this modern Thomist on the concept of sin as it relates to God, Nature, and Reason you'll be quite surprised to see that it is a real. Using even referring to both ancient Greek Philosophers as well as modern secular humanists like Sartre to paint the picture of the reality of sin. The ending of the book is of course, fitting leading into theology of the Christian religion.

[Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this short work, Pieper clarifies some of the notions of sin. He uses a philosophical standpoint, clearly illustrating how the concept of sin, and even the difference between venial and mortal sin is something that is present in the writings of many times and cultures, though certainly Christianity brings it into a new dimension. His development in this work provides many insights and approaches to pondering these questions that ultimately approach eternity.