Comments on: The Mark of Man: Midgley, MacIntyre, and von Hildebrand on the Distinctively Human (Part 2) http://vox-nova.com/2008/08/29/the-mark-of-man-midgley-macintyre-and-von-hildebrand-on-the-distinctively-human-part-2/ Catholic perspectives on culture, society, and politics Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:03:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: The Mark of Man: Midgley, MacIntyre, and von Hildebrand on the Distinctively Human « Vox Nova http://vox-nova.com/2008/08/29/the-mark-of-man-midgley-macintyre-and-von-hildebrand-on-the-distinctively-human-part-2/#comment-38755 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:32:50 +0000 http://voxnova2.wordpress.com/?p=3726#comment-38755 [...] Mark of Man: Midgley, MacIntyre, and von Hildebrand on the Distinctively Human Part 1 Part 2 Part [...]

]]> By: The Mark of Man: Midgely, MacIntyre, von Hildebrand on the Distinctively Human (Part 3) « Vox Nova http://vox-nova.com/2008/08/29/the-mark-of-man-midgley-macintyre-and-von-hildebrand-on-the-distinctively-human-part-2/#comment-38484 Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:14:29 +0000 http://voxnova2.wordpress.com/?p=3726#comment-38484 [...] The Mark of Man: Midgely, MacIntyre, von Hildebrand on the Distinctively Human (Part 3) Part 1 Part 2 [...]

]]> By: Sam Rocha http://vox-nova.com/2008/08/29/the-mark-of-man-midgley-macintyre-and-von-hildebrand-on-the-distinctively-human-part-2/#comment-34052 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:03:28 +0000 http://voxnova2.wordpress.com/?p=3726#comment-34052 This post a is a relief from the media puppetry… thanks.

]]> By: Greg http://vox-nova.com/2008/08/29/the-mark-of-man-midgley-macintyre-and-von-hildebrand-on-the-distinctively-human-part-2/#comment-34047 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:49:06 +0000 http://voxnova2.wordpress.com/?p=3726#comment-34047 This post is above my pay grade.

]]> By: Andrew H. http://vox-nova.com/2008/08/29/the-mark-of-man-midgley-macintyre-and-von-hildebrand-on-the-distinctively-human-part-2/#comment-33992 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:24:30 +0000 http://voxnova2.wordpress.com/?p=3726#comment-33992 I find the term “independent practical reasoner” interesting. Especially in light of the distinction you make, that such a nature only comes to light through the institutions of society and family, which rear a child and provide him with the structure to flourish as his own “independent practical reasoner.” It seems that the fundamental trait of mankind is this rational independence, however it seems right also to say that even more basic is the dependence upon others which man experiences as preliminary to the fuller manifestation of his nature. Thus, what is most perfect about man philosophically speaking is only attainable by what is most imperfect–or weak–about him, anthropologically speaking.

The question of a definitive “mark of man” seems noble, and ought to (seemingly) have an equally definitive answer. However, I’m not sure it does insofar as philosophy is able to respond. It seems to me that as much as philosophy can say about man’s “independent practical reasoning,” it still remains mute about the mystery of his coming to fullness of potential only by way of weakness and need.

Incidentally, this is a topic I’ve been dealing with some lately, in a few graduate courses which touch on the subject. My opinions are not fully formed, but that is a starting point…

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