https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/intellectual-maintenance

It seems reasonable to lament, on this feast of Thomas Aquinas, the state of intellectual curiosity and the ability of the mind to comprehend anything beyond a 4th grade reading level ( I might be generous on that account).

As one who is in the present task of finding another job. my days are occupied with resumes and letters,etc. But as today's feast enters our consciousness, it seem good to note with increasing sadness the ability of the general populace to think. And of course, this has direct bearing on what we, as musicians tasked with the sacred art of church music, contend with in our places of worship and the public square. As the link to the article refers, philosophy has grown increasingly distant from the education of our children and its presence in church discussions. Many of my older priest friends ( beyond 70) were formed with Thomistic manuals that were dry and staid. But they increasingly argued that at least it gave them the categories to think and see the Church's thought processes. But, as philosophy has grown neutral and even against faith and the Church, we do not have the intellectual capacity to even begin to talk about such categories at free will, consciousness and reason. The author in the link, who is a professor of Philosophy at Notre Dame in the US, is concerned as the school reduces its philosophy requirement from two courses to one.

I was fortunate to be required to take a number of classes as an undergraduate and some in my graduate school career. One might say, what does a church musician need philosophy? I look fondly over those years because they taught me to think formatively, critically and creatively. It also served me well as those categories allowed me to immerse myself in the theological thought of the great saints and theologians. I like to think that we cannot separate the church's prayer from the church's thinking and institutes. But increasingly, I see those pieces divorced from one another. There is nothing but cataclysmic loss if they are separated.

So, on this feast of Aquinas, the great theologian, let us pray for a recognition to recover the great traditions of thinking,reflecting and writing of philosophy. In doing so, we might assist Holy Mother Church to attain understandings of herself and also connect with the great saints and doctors who have proceeded us. Aquinas himself said, "beware of the one with just one book."

From the bourbon lands, but hopefully leaving soon,
Kevin