On valuing truth in practice: Rome's postmodern challenge

Murray, Paul D.

On valuing truth in practice: Rome's postmodern challenge

Murray, Paul D.

Authors

Professor Paul Murray paul.murray@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Contributors

Laurence Paul Hemming
Editor

Susan Frank Parsons
Editor

Abstract

This essay probes whether there can be any real and fruitful dialogue between Roman Catholic self-understanding in relation to truth and postmodern questioning of the value of all such truth-talk, at least as traditionally conceived. After an introductory section situating the essay in context, the exploration moves through four phases. First, there are some initial reflections on the place of truth in Catholic self-understanding and the significant shaping force this exerts on Catholic structure and practice. Second, attention shifts to asking after the motivating factors behind Rorty’s trenchant disavowal of ‘objectivity’ in favour of ‘solidarity’, or localised agreement, as the only viable basis for interpreting and acting within the world. Having noted the challenges that Rorty’s concerns pose to Catholic self-understanding, attention turns in the third part to review the counter-case that can be made for the lasting significance of a revised aspiration for truth as the articulation of reality. The final section further probes the challenge that this position in turn holds for the concern that Catholicism give appealing, inspiring, convincing and, in this sense, authoritative witness to the task of discerning together the truth in love.

Citation

Murray, P. D. (2007). On valuing truth in practice: Rome's postmodern challenge. In L. P. Hemming, & S. F. Parsons (Eds.), Redeeming Truth: Considering Faith in Reason (184-206). SCM Press

Online Publication Date	Nov 20, 2007
Publication Date	2007-11
Deposit Date	Feb 22, 2008
Pages	184-206
Series Title	Faith in reason philosophical enquiries
Book Title	Redeeming Truth: Considering Faith in Reason
Publisher URL	http://www.scmpress.co.uk/scm.asp