Thomists at War: Pierre Mandonnet, Étienne Gilson, and the Contested Relationship between Aquinas's and Dante's Thought (1879-2021)

Thomists at War:Pierre Mandonnet, Étienne Gilson, and the Contested Relationship between Aquinas's Dante's Thought (1879-2021)* George Corbett At turn of 1921, French Dominican Pierre Mandonnet (1858–1936) helped to launch a new historical institute for Thomistic Studies study house Le Saulchoir in Belgium. One pressing purposes foundation Institut historique d'études thomistes was provide properly approach doctrine which would defend its integrity authority, refute alarming assertations those outside order who were, on view founders, abusing method undermine true sense thought.1 The founders singled out Gilson (1884–1978), whose Thomisme, introduction au système de saint Thomas [End Page 1053] published couple years earlier (in 1919); according Gilson's volume distorted very nature pedagogy Thomist philosophy.2 become principal antagonists famous debates about thought 1920s 1930s. Less known, however, are their parallel skirmishes field Dante studies. In this article, I suggest that we need consider battles Thomism studies together, as part wider intellectual war question Catholic theology philosophy. first survey main battlefield—the thought—with specific reference controversies 1930s "Christian philosophy" Marie-Dominique Chenu (1895—1990)'s Une école théologie. second part, scholars such as, one hand, Dominicans Joachim Berthier (1848—1924), presented an essentially poet, and, other lay historians Bruno Nardi (1884—1968), deconstructed "myth Dante" saw fundamental disharmony thought, profoundly influenced post-war scholarship present day. light history, third reappraise constructively eight alleged points divergence thought. demonstrate these key apparent divergence—as natural desire beatific vision, two final ends man, or relationships philosophy grace—have much do with scholars' interpretations works Dante. Civil War thomistes: Maintaining "Authority" "Integrity" Doctrine Having entered 1882, professor history University Fribourg from 1891 1918; retirement, he continued research teach Saulchoir.3 Author significant Siger Brabant St. Dominic, collaborated critical edition commissioned by Pope Leo XIII 1054] editor, example, commentary Sentences three Revue thomiste 1893.4 Saulchoir, also instrumental founding mission inception 1921 his death early 1936.5 "the giants medieval studies," founder (also 1921) honorary president Société Thomiste (which Bulletin beginning 1924), Mandonnet's name became "synonymous into writings Aquinas."6 For facilitated greater penetration Aquinas contemporaries, research, way, enriched complemented institutional teaching Scholastic perennial philosophy.7 But, like institute, believed 1055] some recent were using doctrine, and...