Complete Bibliography of Lonergan Studies

Publications

‘I...have questions concerning the way MacIntyre handles the treatment of animal reasoning and its similarity and dissimilarity to human knowing and reasoning. While I agree with many points he makes in his discussion, and share his “high doctrine” of animal knowing, a Thomistic doctrine, I wish to point out that there are ambiguities which emerge from his treatment which he does not resolve. I will suggest that such matters can be clarified if we turn to the work of Bernard Lonergan and therefore I will devote some space...to a discussion of Lonergan’s position on animal consciousness.’

Beards, Andrew. ‘Rahner’s Philosophy: A Lonerganian Critique.’ Gregorianum 87/2 (2006) 262-83.

‘Among theological commentators from the 1960’s [sic] onward it was largely taken for granted that Rahner and Lonergan were fellow travelers along...[the] path of retrieving and adapting Aquinas’ philosophy and theology under the influence of Maréchal’s philosophy of the dynamic, God-oriented intellect.... [D]uring the last three decades philosophers such as Giovanni Sala have identified significant differences between Lonergan’s philosophy and that of Coreth (to some extent influenced by Rahner)_[,] and theologians including Raymond Molony, Guy Mansini, and Neil Ormerod have drawn attention to quite profound differences between Rahner’s theological positions and those of Lonergan which stem from differences in philosophical viewpoint.’

Boilieu, Richard L. ‘A Lonergan View on Francis of Assisi on Consciousness, Conversion, and Communication.’ The Cord 56:1 (2006), 3-22

Brennan, Patrick McKinley. ‘Asking the Right Questions: Harnessing the Insights of Bernard Lonergan for the Rule of Law.’ Journal of Religion and Law 21/1 (2005-2006) 1-38.

‘ “[P]rior to the criteria of truth invented by philosophers,” observes Bernard Lonergan, “there is the dynamic criterion of the further questions immanent in intelligence itself.” That criterion I shall refer to as inner law...The law of any community, I shall argue, is what is generated by and only by human operators faithful to the foundational operator that is inner law. For that desire, rather than something external to us, is our “natural law.” Failure to acknowledge the dynamic, inner source of the rule of law leads to dead ends...’

Byrne, Patrick H. ‘Evolution, Randomness, and Divine Purpose: A Reply to Cardinal Schönborn.’ Theological Studies 67/3 (2006) 653-65.

‘Responding to a recent article by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, the author argues that evolution of the world and life, through random processes rightly understood, is indeed consistent with divine, transcendent meaning, value, and purpose of creation. After criticizing traditional “intelligent design” arguments, the article analyzes the key notions of design and randomness. It then draws on the work of Bernard Lonergan to show how it is possible to reconcile the affirmation of divine purpose and the randomness of the evolving world.’ (From the Abstract.)

Coelho, Ivo, S.D.B. ‘Applying Lonergan’s Method: The Case of an Indian Theology.’ Method: Journal of Lonergan Studies 22:1 (Spring 2004) 1-22.

‘…I attempt to work out steps for applying the method [Lonergan’s] toward the generation of an Indian Christian theology.’

Coghlan, David, S.J. ‘Towards a Spirituality of Academic Work: Lessons from Action Research.’ Human Development 27:2 (2006).

‘Helps readers, whether academics or students, to find God in the everyday of their academic life.’ The author proposes an ‘action research’ that promotes action and creates knowledge or theory about that action, following the practice of the social psychologist, Kurt Lewin.

Cronin, Brian, CS.Sp. ‘Deliberative Insights: A Sketch.’ Method: Journal of Lonergan Studies 22:1 (Spring 2004) 23-56.

An elaboration on Lonergan’s view of the components of a judgment of value. Draws in part on on Michael Vertin’s ‘Judgments of Value in the Later Lonergan’ (Method: Journal of Lonergan Studies 13:2 (1995) 221-48.)

Cronin, Brian. Value Ethics: A Lonergan Perspective. Langata-Nairobi: Consolata Institute of Philosophy Press, 2006.

‘This text is designed to promote...ethical self-discovery. We have privileged access to our own values, to our reception of values from parents and society, to our own critique of values, our internalization of values and our hesitant, partial, implementation of values in the concrete realities of life. The method does not provide a simple, magic solution, but sets up a slow, painstaking process of discovery of what it is...[to] be a free and responsible human person, motivated by moral obligation and equipped with an ability to discern good from evil.’ (From the Preface.)

Drage, Alessandra Gillis. Thinking Woman. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia: Axial Publishing, 2006.

 Written as a possible introductory foundational text in undergraduate women's studies and feminism, this book draws on two key areas of Lonergan's work. Part One, consisting of seven chapters, introduces the elements of meaning as operating within a specifically female pattern of experience and invites the reader to discover in herself her own dynamic structure of consciousness. Part Two, consisting of five chapters, develops on Part One: it considers women's development and questions of women in culture and history from a critical position of basic self-knowledge. It explores the significance of the rise of feminism at this particular time in human history and introduces Lonergan's method of Functional Specialization as a hopeful means of unifying a vibrant though at times problematic global feminism.

Maillet, Gregory. ‘ “A Poem Should Not Mean / But Be”: Lonergan and Literary Aesthetics.’ Method: Journal of Lonergan Studies 22:1 (Spring 2004) 57-91.

To propose a ‘transcendental literary criticism,’ the author explores Lonergan’s aesthetics, comparing his earlier and later views. Relates this to poetry, with an emphasis on Coleridge’s ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner.’

McShane, Philip. Lack in the Beingstalk, Axial Publishing, Cape Breton, 2006. 

The work fosters interest in, and implementation of, the functional division of labour suggested by Lonergan in Method in Theology. While the work ranges over many disciplines, early chapters add enrichments of the existential dimensions of the various conversions. The final chapter five includes the original lengthy Appendix A to volume 18 of Lonergan's Complete Works, Phenomenology and Logic.

Murray, Elizabeth. ‘The Unity of the Self as Given.’ Method: Journal of Lonergan Studies 22:1 (Spring 2004) 93-104.

The author relies on Lonergan, particularly his four-page discussion of the meaning of the word I, in De constitutione Christi to engage the views of Husserl and Sartre.

Ormerod, Neil. ‘Chance and Necessity, Providence and God.’ Irish Theological Quarterly 70 (2005) 263-78.

‘The article addresses the issue of difficulties raised by process theology for the traditional understanding of God. Far from new, the issues raised by process thinkers were not unknown to past thinkers, such as Aquinas, who dealt adequately with them. The author argues that the classical view of God, more recently expressed by Lonergan in a more modern idiom, is more in accordance with contemporary scientific thinking on space, time, and matter, than the view of its detractors.’

Swan, Michael. ‘Lonergan Scholars Descend on Toronto.’ The Catholic Register, Weeks of August 20-27 (2006) 5.

An interview with Chris Jacobs-Vandegeer, one of the organizers of the ‘Week-end Conversation,’ titled ‘Lonergan on the Edge,’ held at Regis College, Toronto, on August 11-13, 2006. (See below, under Conferences.)

Walmsley, G[erard]. ‘Integral Self-Appropriation and the Science-Religion Encounter: Lonergan’s Methodological Mediation.’ In The Integrity of the Human Person in an African Context: Perspectives from Science and Religion. Edited by C.W. du Toit. Pretoria: Research Institute for Theology and Religion, University of South Africa, 2004, 205-64.

‘My overall aim is to show the relevance of Lonergan’s philosophy of consciousness to the ongoing science-religion debate, including the unfolding of the debate in an African context. I argue that if the debate is to be effective and worthwhile there is need for a philosophical framework capable of mediating between the two sides of the dialogue. I argue that Lonergan’s nuanced account of integral self-appropriation...provides unique resources for facilitating dialogue between the realm of science and the realm of religion. It does this by identifying points of contact between science and religion within the conscious intellectual operations of scientists and theologians.’

Walmsley, G[erard]. ‘The Problem(s) of Evil in the Context of the Science-Religion Dialogue: The Role of Cosmology.’ In Can Nature be Evil or Evil Natural? A Science-and-Religion View on Suffering and Evil. Edited by Cornel W. Toit. Pretoria: Research Institute for Theology and Religion, University of South Africa, 2006, 189-227.

‘...I want to explain how the science-religion dialogue makes a distinctive contribution to reflection on the problem(s) of evil. In particular I want to highlight the special contribution of a science-based cosmology to the discussion.’ Section 5 (pp. 204-16) deals specifically with ‘Lonergan’s World View of Emergent Probability,’ and [in] section 6 (pp. 216-24) the author argues that this [Lonergan’s] account of world process throws light on natural evil and how we should respond to it [and] even on moral-spiritual and how we might find a solution to it.’

Ysaac, Walter L., SJ. A Prayer Catechism: A Contemporary Pasiong Mahal to be Pondered-Prayerd by Both Catechuman and Catechist. Lonergan Center Kalooban Series III,1. Quezon City, Manila, 2006.

‘The book heavily relies on my understanding of Bernie's seminal insight on mutual self-mediation from his talk on ‘The Mediation of Christ in Prayer,’ … on the five levels of self-transcendence from Insight and Method … on "being in Christ in the being of subject," from "Existenz and Aggiornamento," and on … Tad [Dunne’s] We Cannot Find Word: the Foundations of Prayer, as well as on many other books on Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises mostly by Lonergan scholars.’