Jacques Maritain, one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century, was a preeminent interpreter of the thought of Thomas Aquinas and author of more than 50 books in metaphysics, the philosophy of science, aesthetics and social and political philosophy. A giant in his field, he combined his Catholic faith and wide-ranging intellect to address contemporary issues and the many facets of the human experience. In this book, Jude P. Dougherty shares his lifetime interest in and study of Maritain with readers. He offers a complete introduction to Maritain, highlighting Maritain’s many contributions to philosophy. Throughout, the reader gains a clear sense of Maritain the man, his relationships with other notable figures of his time, and his engagement in many of the debates of the 20th century. Dougherty’s essays offer an appreciation of the perennial value of Maritain’s intellect. He follows Maritain’s philosophical journey from his early critique on the metaphysics of Henri Bergson to the publication of
L'Eglise du Christ
in 1973. Accessible to readers new to Maritain’s work and to the Thomistic tradition, this book should be welcomed by seasoned scholars too.