Autor: Mehrere Autoren: Method, Journal of Lonergan Studies, 11,1

Buch: Method, Journal of Lonergan Studies, Volume 11, Number 1

Titel: Lonergan, Bernard - Analytic Concept of History

Stichwort: Geschichte: Niedergang des deduktiven und reflexiven Denkens (major decline); Sünde -> Legitimation; drei Elemente: Legitimation, zweite Realität (eg), Selbstaufgabe d. Vernunft

Kurzinhalt: ... the major decline is the gradual procession, from sins to sins on principle, and from sins on principle to the dethronement of reason and the emancipation of the beast ... In the reflex period we have: Christendom, Protestantism, rationalism ...

Textausschnitt: 6.5 Major decline
22b The essence of major decline is sin on principle. When men sin against their consciences, their sins are exceptions to a rule that is recognized and real. When they deform their consciences, sin from being the exception to the law becomes the law itself. This erection of sin into a law of action is the essence of major decline. (Fs)

There are three elements in the deformation of the conscience. (Fs)

22c First, there is the tendency to self-justification. The consciousness of man seeks the harmony of unity and consistency:1 by his actions man is sinful; therefore he will either reform his actions by doing penance or he will reform his conscience by denying sin to be sin. See Isaiah 5:20ff.2 (Fs)

22d Second, there is the objective foundation that gives this lie in the soul its color of truth. Men sin, and the effects of their sins are concrete and real and objective. They set a dilemma to the just man: for if he acknowledges the fait accompli he cooperates with injustice; and if he refuses to acknowledge it, then he lives in an imaginary world and cannot cope with the real one. But to the unjust such situations are but proof that justice is injustice, that good is evil and evil good, that right is wrong and wrong right. (Fs)

23a Third, as a combination and generalization of the preceding two: there is the discrediting of deductive knowledge. Socrates can demonstrate to his heart's content: it is obvious he is wrong and that's all about it (see Gorgias).1 Or in the period of reflex thought, philosophy turns from the contemplation of truth to the problem, Why are all the philosophers wrong?

23b Thus the major decline is the gradual procession, from sins to sins on principle, and from sins on principle to the dethronement of reason and the emancipation of the beast (see Nebuchadnezzar, Apocalypse).1 (Fs) (notabene)

23c But major decline may be viewed from another standpoint: that of the understanding. The yielding of deductive thought is marked by an invasion of understanding into the deductive field. The inertia of a culture makes for the preservation of all the good that can be saved at each stage of the wrecking process. Thus we have a series of lower syntheses.2 In the spontaneous period this is expressed by the gradual corruption of the gods. In the reflex period we have: Christendom, Protestantism, rationalism, liberalism, naturalism, communism, nationalism.3 (Fs)