Michel de Certeau

[DanielJT]

I am taking a class and had to read and write a paper on Michel de Certeau (don’t worry, I already did my homework. I am looking for some outside voices on what I have learned).

De Certeau was a Jesuit priest who wrote about a lot of things in society (I’m pretty sure). What I read was on his distinction between “strategies” and “tactics” or how the powerful and weak, kind of, interact.

My question is for anyone familiar with de Certeua’s ideas and how they align themselves with the Church, if at all.

Any comments?

 

[Jim_Baur]

From what I understand, his ideas are interesting.

He gives his ideas of how some make it in the world. His ideas may or may not apply to the City of God or the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Using one of Benedict’s regular tactics, it has merit as to some extent. But does he go far enough and connect his ideas to the reality of Jesus Christ. Jesus is absolute love and beauty. Are his ideas only relativistic? Does he recognize the reality of the law of love? Does discard the reality of love and how it influences our rational nature? Do he allow Incarnate Love to incarnate the world? Does he go that far?

Does he do social science?

Does he do social science that rules over his theology?

Does he do theology that orders his social science?

Does his Catholic belief rule his social sciences?

 

[Jim_Baur]

I hope that this gets to you.

What the good Pope does is absolutely beautiful.

He correct the ideas of scientists, historian, and fellow theologians in a gentle manner.

Examples: the physical scientists that will only do science, he says you have not gone far enough. They should turn to the ideal philosophers–Socrates through to today. Those philosophers can see that all of this was thought into existence.

Then he corrects the ideal philosophers and yes, what you have is great, but you did not go far enough. We Christians know the there is a Logos, but He revealed Himself to us and He has a loving relationship with us. He knows and loves us. He cares for us, but we have to accept His care.

His name is Jesus Christ, and He has given us another name: Father.