Excellent4.8 out of 5On Trustpilot
  1. Christian Academic Books/
  2. Philosophy

Exercises in the Elements: Essays, Speeches, Notes

  • Hardback
  • Publisher: St. Augustine's Press
  • 14.5 x 21.9 x 1.6 cm

£15.14

Save 41% | Free UK Delivery

Available - Usually dispatched within 4 days

Buying for a school or church? Upgrade to a FREE Eden Advance Account

This title, which at first sight seems curious, shows Pieper's philosophical work as rooted in the basics. He takes his inspiration from Plato - and his Socrates - and Thomas Aquinas. With them, he is interested in philosophy as pure theory, the theoretical being precisely the non-practical. The philosophizer wants to know what all existence is fundamentally about, what "reality" "really" means. With Plato, Pieper eschews the use of language to convince an audience of anything which is not the truth. If Plato was opposed to the sophists - amongst them the politicians -, Pieper is likewise opposed to discourse that leads to the "use" of philosophy to bolster a totalitarian regime or any political or economic system.

A fundamental issue for Pieper is "createdness." He sees this as the fundamental truth of our being - all being - and the fundamental virtue we can practise is the striving to live according to our perception of real truth in any given situation.

The strength and attraction of Pieper's writing is its direct and intuitive character which is independent of abstract systematization. He advocates staying in touch with the "real" as we experience it deep within ourselves. Openness to the totality of being - in no matter what context being reveals itself - and the affirmation of all that is founded in this totality are central pillars of all his thinking. Given the "simplicity" of this stance, it is no surprise that much of it is communicated - and successfully - through his gift for illustration by anecdote. Like Plato, this philosopher is a story-teller and, like him, very readable.

Exercises in the Elements: Essays, Speeches, Notes and Guide to Thomas Aquinas
Guide to Thomas AquinasExercises in the Elements: Essays, Speeches, Notes
  • Author

    Josef Pieper

  • Book Format

    Hardcover

  • Publisher

    St. Augustine's Press

  • Published

    October 2019

  • Weight

    400g

  • Dimensions

    14.5 x 21.9 x 1.6 cm

  • ISBN

    9781587312311

  • ISBN-10

    158731231X

  • Eden Code

    5126026

Over 14,000 churches and schools have upgraded to an Advance Account and we‘d love to welcome you into this free program. We know that church volunteers and school teachers often use their own money, then have claim it back on on an expense form. We can take all of that hassle away by invoicing your church or school directly and delivering your order straight away.

Opening an account is quick and easy, with most accounts being approved and setup within a few hours of filling in the form below (on weekdays, not weekends). As soon as we‘ve approved the application we‘ll send you an email to let you know that its done.

Upgrade to a FREE Eden Advance Account
Open Doors Ad