Collingwood and the Magdalen Metaphysicals

I begin with two autobiographical comments in explanation of my title. In 1986 reviewed for The Expository Times the excellent book by Dr James Patrick, Magdalen Metaphysicals: Idealism and Orthodoxy at Oxford, 1901-1945.1 This prompted a series cards, notes, letters from Donald MacKinnon. He wanted to read because it was an American publication he thought easier borrow me. Those who remember that great dear man will not need be told this operation borrowing returning is story itself; but relevant point correspondence which went on until 1989 made some very interesting important what described as ‘a book’. Since subject idealism its relation orthodoxy has, recent years, has been so thoroughly discussed may worth making these available wider audience. second comment way leads first; MacKinnon wrote me saying contributing essay R.G. Collingwood's philosophy religion Oxford University Press volume mark centenary. Collingwood had always something hero mine invariably started students course or directing them his Autobiography. His historical contextual approach study classical philosophers indelible impression have adopted principle one's guidance any such exposition, whether theology. fairly recollection early influence reinforced being obliged years ago review Religion Philosophy.2 Rather than really only bibliographical notice; did reread originally student. So wish revisit Metaphysicals particular say about Christian philosophy. (1) An interest sources typified revival Aristotelian studies persistence Plato's Republic; (2) participation studies, especially mediaeval status character history discipline; (3) belief essentially literary, affinities poetry; (4) conviction though might experience finally matter truth.3 adds rejecting realist epistemology thus each ‘would defended idealist axiom knowledge leaves neither knower nor known unchanged’.4 we come back: upon would like backing up Patrick's remark5 both others called their ‘romantic’. refers claim Speculum Mentis ‘working out tradition founded century men Romantic Movement’, meant him renewed materialism, new interpretation Christianity’.6 Patrick goes refer C.S. Lewis ‘search unity, unity grace nature natural supernatural itself romantic project’.7 describes this—together ‘the Webb Smith’—as ‘attempts develop metaphysical central Greats curriculum Western Plato Edward Caird’.8 Such over-general imprecise description one weaknesses otherwise book. My purpose commenting follows. First, seems legacy romanticism intellectual rather merely narrowly aesthetic movement area remains too little explored. believe shall much surprised discover extent our modern world post-Freudian liberal social attitude heir romanticism. Secondly, aspect German idealism. As 1815 begun British obvious Coleridge's Biographia Literaria published later. period composition deeper Kant, Fichte, Schelling—and hasten link Kant other should context later indeed often light. superb biography Coleridge, Richard Holmes notes 1812 Coleridge began silent incorporation’ Schelling into philosophical sections various occasional essays aesthetics’.9 Though defers further examination volume, if plagiarism psychologically form kleptomania, ‘then intellectually smuggling valuables across closed border’. But strong word. Owen Benfield remarks that, ‘as law now stands, could sued respect pages Literaria’.10 At moment am concerned—and anyway equipped—to discuss complex question debts basic orientation. sole concern 1860s, remarked elsewhere, few intellectuals willing ignore contribution idealists. Clear evidence Hutchison Stirling's work, Secret Hegel, 1865;11 anyone think concerned Hegel says argument date, criticism easily rebutted reference Hegel's earliest publication, lock own between Fichte Schelling. fault fundamentally respect, failure recognize deep differences group around Cook-Wilson, certainly included Webb, so-called ‘Cambridge school’. [H.W.B.] Joseph belongs former ([H.A.] Prichard fact pupil); fiercely critical latter, devoting last lectures (HT [Hilary Term] 1932) logic sustained underlying logical atomist conceptions. Always sought mediate idealists Cook-Wilson. While latter's Bradley's doctrine judgement strong, metaphysics found hymn ‘Immortal, invisible, God wise’. leave them, simply repeating point. It clearly misleading then talk figures sharing straightforward position epistemology. Here decisive gulph Cambridge realists, although Oxonians were wrong, they saw revelation ramifications good many directions. pushed towards—a nearly Thomistic view—something far Rousselet S.J. L'Intelectualisme de S. Thomas Mahoney OFM Desire Philosophy St Aquinas. end acquired lingering attraction ‘thomism’. Towards letter assumed people Moore—whom criticised— ‘saw ontological cruciality relations: old monist/pluralism issue’. To parentheses—Plato, says, ‘was all-important Joseph’ gives title Joseph's 1932 logic: ‘Internal External Relations’. Donagan considered treatment themes creation, fall atonement superficial, ‘less blasphemous laughable’. suggests bottom accept Christianity ‘lifelong attempt explain faith terms autonomy ultimately inconsistent’.18 … Autobiography, 1939, there nothing directly support religious manifested writings, lectures, instance those ethics given autumn 1933, versions latter Idea Nature delivered year later, concluded exposition theological cosmology. 1933 moral philosophy, lecture dwelt quite explicitly theme freedom, quotation towards Luther's words: ‘Dann ich stehe, kann nicht anders, helfe mir Gott’.19 MacKinnon's tended write speed, disregarding previous same topic, ‘inconsistent’ hardly suitable describing work. return scholar swayed disagreement among interpreters, chapter offers comprehensive survey greater part conclusion ‘no major work does make presupposition history’.20 sees consistent thread leading through 1928 essay, ‘Faith Reason’ pattern substance mature ‘religion reason matrix can live ground presuppositions formative civilization’.21 places him, then, represented Augustine, Anselm, Thomas. concluding appraisal Collingwood22 impressionistic scholarship tangential engagement ideas use either historian systematic theologian. sends hares coursing where no hope chasing cautious ‘that traditional distinction theology properly called, better, atheism Christianity’23, despairs ever helping most religion. evaluation add brief account before moving consider philosopher raise final basis. Christianity, words, approached doctrines are regarded varying aspects simple idea which, according language expressed, ethics, theology.25 What identification influences mentions three: E.F. Carritt, tutor; F.A. Cockin; S.G. Scott. and—as concerned—that Carritt. Interestingly, how, Collingwood, ‘Christian religion’ ‘religion’ interchangeable names idea’.26 However, makes written against William James's Varieties Religious Experience ‘every psychological theory religion’.27 Asserting identity also morality inseparable—because thinking separated acting. Because inseparability definite content foreign life’.28 concludes: ‘Thus abandoned save denying hence truth’.29 ‘first undertook lifelong defence proposition knowing sense historical’ mean kind positivistic ‘at English theologians become expert 1910’. So, influential History born 1912 when writing Philosophy. seen enough send us back warning do take expression indubitably clear self-explanatory. talking philosophy? knowledgeable biographical background difference practice hand, speculative pursuit other. mind particularly W.G. (the grandfather) evangelical Christianity. Nor doubt depth sincerity compares C.C.J. remarking all adult converts Christianity.30 Hibbert Journal article, ‘Reason Faith Cultivating Itself’,31 how well learnt distinguish Distinguishing New Testament concept pistis Platonic, speaks higher knowledge, apprehend finite infinite, spirit, God’.32 contrast Neo-Platonism emphasise alike satisfy needs left unmet intellectualist traditions Greek find claims stances Tillich's. biblical same—they object answers philosophy; mythical construction symbolic whereas course, discourse. try inward heart essence thing call religion, must alarmed practical vision where, till now, expected it.34 seriousness reflected took Autobiography sometimes querulous impatience trivialising tendency Two details mentioned briefly main Collingwood—the place God's redemption man. warm insistence ‘value rests already philosophical. supply materials; grappling problems.’35 There here pondered regard discipline teaching total discipline. turn simpler necessity perhaps unlikely ally ‘simple mind’ turns rejects whole notion Christ-myth.36 Would enough, asks replies emphatically reject suggestion. And perfectly right’. points things, besides truths way, life Christ us—an example ideal human contact personality lived life. Hegelian Strauss Tübingen school. rightly ‘whole value lost unless historical’. That say, lies precisely actualisation contributes example. struck dramatic producer said actor after long exploration own, ‘Do way’ proceeded act piece drama. even more important; deemed one. struggle perfection, somehow feels personal touch risen Christ’. pains trying argue feeling: pointing feeling based historical, Jesus. instances Christology while sufficient condition truth, necessary condition. learn lesson wrong deal twentieth Christology. element briefly, crucial religion—God's One remarkable features capacity calling spade spade— ‘whatever else involved Atonement, includes least this: sins forgiven God’.37 distinct attention attitudes principles reminiscent painstaking demands justice dealing atonement, drives home consequences difficulties—either punishment right wrong. is: Atonement becomes fallacy truism’.38 Anselmian performs archaeology bare bones atonement. essential concepts doctrine: sin, punishment, forgiveness, penalty. Also types theory—objective subjective—is magisterial. understanding calls divine repentance—‘man's repentance too’39: indeed, difficult grasp. confess Yet understand ‘God good, feel men; bears person due, communication spirit penitence, repent self-punishment redemption’.40 discussion Anselmian: never concludes subjectively objectively complete.41 picked fruitful emphases valuable achievements obviously harmonised system. particular, different considered, viz. concrete deontological view sin echoes dialectics; smell move alienation reconciliation within itself. What, began—that one? referred illuminating article Like is, illumination, allusive informative needed gift extract definable Collingwood. done, feel, clarify governed serious push philosopher, Anselm Aquinas Kierkegaard, recognise inescapable faith. question—if profoundly enterprise Should note strains stresses significant matters conclude considerations length anything formal lead put side problem Let just reading males actual histories this. Émile Bréhier case point—‘there philosophy’, ‘any mathematics’.42 teaches statement confusion. happened cannot happen. Likewise, Christopher Stead asserts plenty ancient vice versa philosophy.43 All competing systems world, none bore brand name philosophy’. could, equal futility, reply: ‘Ah yes, didn't Patents’ Office Greco-Roman world’. decided historians imagine. issue possibility John Wisdom taught ago—that answer recommendation sentence phrase lacks conventional describe possible situation.44 motivation asserting arises cosmos build picture reality. Thus Gilson: body discovered, explored safeguarded, thanks help Reason receives Revelation’.45 learned Kierkegaard Wittgenstein doctrine. Moreover, learns set produces un-Christian philosophy—a Tacitus ‘where produce desert, peace’.46 implies things significantly incompatible: first, Church require, faith, system secular origin; secondly, undoubtedly determine general every manifestation reason, scientific.47 If perpetrating paradox, process intellection see reward and, conversely, thinker devoid passion ponder issues existence. prize wisdom, knows get desserts best worlds knowing, said, know God: ‘hoc illud est ultimum congitionis humanae Deo quod sciat se Duem nescire’.48