Transcendence & ground (Karl Rahner)

A couple of paragraphs from Rahner's "introduction to the idea of Christianity" that take us beyond naive theism into a reflection that may speak to the current debate

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• transcendence
• experience
• being
• infinity
• reality
• consciousness

[0ThouArtThat0]

Rahner sounds like he was influenced by many of the same thinkers as myself, or at least he has come to similar conclusions regarding the nature of transcendence. I wrote a paper a few years ago called "The Essence of Religion," that is very similar to the ideas you expressed here. the paper is linked to this video: watch?v=pnB6uD_osJg

[thomasmatus]

Watched your video and read your paper - splendid! "Doubt" as point of departure for philosophy, or for science? (cf. Descartes) "Wonder" is, I think, the stimulus for the wisdom quest = philosophy. Direct experience of God: point of departure for religion. Composer Sofia Gubaidulina calls religion (religare) "the legato of life," using the musical term for linking separate notes into one phrase. Or God (absolute Mystery) is the tonic note of my scale, the first interval of my tone row.

[ChristoEtEcclesiae]

Studying Catholic Theology in Austria (but am American) and despite being fluent in German, I'm having a hard time comprehending Rahner. So I REALLY appreciated your English explanation of transcendental theology. Thank you!

[LooksAeterna]

To think one could demonstrate our experience of transcendence by our "Vorgriff" to it is completely circular. Equally you might say that any erotic fantasy would demonstrate that such love making would necessarily take place. But it doesn't even demonstrate that the partner in that fantasy exists at all.

I am saying this although I do believe in transcendence and actually tasted the salty waters of the ocean spray (how is that for a Vorgriff ?) but this isn't common experience based on words.

[LooksAeterna]

My difficulties with Rahner apparently parallel my dislike for Heidegger. I feel they should both have sat at the feet of Wittgenstein to wean themselves of the idea that you could say something meaningful by piling layer after layer of ill-defined abstractions on top of each other and thereby overwhelm and intimidate the listener into supposing that he may be just too stupid to grasp the profundity.

[drogoscg1]

I agree with this vid.  It states many of my inner feelings that I have never put words to.

[Israe5l]

I must admit the thesis that "the ultimate unanswerable question is unavoidable" is a deep one; but its not a rational logic. Its an agape logic (or logic of life). Interesting.

In general, in your videos, your presence excessively radiates with agape. I am not sure I can follow you on that. (But then I am hooked.)

[Israe5l]

Thats Nietzsche.

[menkbabe1]

Dear Father Thomas:

That hope is a blessing, and there is a there there in the contemplative experience interests me. It is also heartening and encouraging for a contemplative.

That is what I found in your talk on Christianity, a heartening; thank you for commenting on the subject.

Peter Menkin, Obl Cam OSB

Mill Valley, CA USA

(north of San Francisco)

P.S. I think there is a boldness in approaching God, and in the transcendence of this desire a courage, too. Questions, yes.

[Zeitschen]

To live longer than forty years is bad manners, is vulgar, immoral. Who does live beyond forty? Answer that, sincerely and honestly I will tell you who do: fools and worthless fellows. I tell all old men that to their face, all these venerable old men, all these silver-haired and reverend seniors! I tell the whole world that to its face! I have a right to say so, for I shall go on living to sixty myself. To seventy! To eighty! ... Stay, let me take breath ...

[Zeitschen]

When I feel the absolute that waits before the question why is there something rather than nothing I am mislead. That I feel amazed that I live while so many have died and die is no succour for me, though it is amazing considering all that that we are still alive when one really aught not unless I conspire in the amazement the spirit of living off the dead. It is really as a neighbour of mine said...

[0ThouArtThat0]

Thanks for reading : ), "Doubt" is the starting point for Modern Philosophy, which is basically to say for Cartesian science. I had just finished reading Kierkegaard's 'Johannes Climacus,' and adopted a bit of his terminology.