Franciscan Studies

66 Book Reviews ments and new lines of development in future studies. Such a criticism was implied several times regarding the identification of scholasticism with one branch of it. This is not in accord with history, and Fr. Farrell went beyond the scope of his title when he spoke of scholasticism in general. We should not condemn Brownson because he did not appreciate scho­ lasticism. He was willing to adhere to the traditional philosphy of the Church if someone would tell him what it was (Works II, pp. 468-469). In deciding what is condemned it is necessary to be very precise. Phi­ losophy for Brownson cannot stand alone; it is the rational element of theology. He was not satisfied with the philosophy of his time. He took what he found and tried to use it in defence of the Church. He maintained that he had no right to introduce a new philosophy, even if it were to be scholastic philosophy (Works I, p. 279). Ma t t h e w M e n g e s , O .F.M . Cleveland Geschichle der christlichen Philosophie. I. Lieferung. B y Etienne Gilson & Philotheus Boehner. (Paderbom: Ferdinand Schóningh. 1952. (Available from St. Bonaventure Bookstore, St. Bonaventure, N. Y.) Pp. viii + 254.) This is the first section of a new and quite revised edition of the Geschichte der christlichen Philosophie, the first edition of which merited high praise when published in 1937. The second and third parts, on the thirteenth century and late Scholasticism respectively, will appear in the near future. Undoubtedly, the greatest revision will bear on the fourteenth century. In the Preface, Fr. Philotheus clears up the relation of the work to Professor Gilson: that much material was furnished for the first edition by that learned historian. However, Fr. Philotheus claims responsibility for all opinions expressed therein, especially for the second edition. How­ ever, the method used is that advocated and so successfully followed by Prof. Gilson, of a direct study of a philosopher through texts in an endeavor to discover his inner unity. The new edition, as far as concerns this first part, covers 254 pages as compared to 239 pages of the earlier edition. However, by the use of smaller type considerable material has been added under individual Christian philosophers. There is a thorough revision of the section on Origen and a complete re-organization of the chapter on Saint Augustine. Both are an improvement over the original edition. Students and teachers will eagerly await the completed work. It is an excellent introduction to Christian philosophers, from the Fathers through to the close of Scholasticism, an excellent means of learning the textmethod of studying Christian thinkers; and, we would add on the basis of personal experience, a very helpful way of learning philosophical German! I g n a t iu s B r a d y , O.F.M. Duns Scotus College, Detroit, Mich. ...