Retrieving Freedom: The Christian Appropriation of Classical Tradition

Retrieving Freedom is a book that explores the "rise and fall" of the classical understanding of freedom and seeks to recover a more adequate understanding by returning to the sources of the Western tradition. It argues that the Christian vision of humanity is a novel synthesis of the opposed views of the Greeks and Jews and explores landmark figures who framed the history of the Christian appropriation of the classical tradition through five different historical periods. The book rediscover dimensions of freedom that have gone missing in contemporary discourse and identifies tasks that remain to be accomplished.

Format: Hardback
Length: 550 pages
Publication date: 25 October 2022
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

Retrieving Freedom: A Provocative Exploration of the "Rise and Fall" of the Classical Understanding of Freedom

In the face of the prevailing notion of freedom that dominates contemporary discourse, Retrieving Freedom emerges as a thought-provoking and comprehensive exploration. It endeavors to reclaim the roots of the Western tradition in order to attain a more profound and accurate understanding of freedom. The book commences by presenting the ancient Greek conception, derived from the profound insights of D. C. Schindler's earlier work, Freedom from Reality. This conception is then juxtaposed with the ancient Hebrew perspective, highlighting a unique synthesis that forms the core of the Christian vision of humanity. This synthesis serves as a guiding framework for an in-depth examination of pivotal figures who have shaped the history of the Christian appropriation of the classical tradition.

Schindler conducts his inquiry across five distinct historical periods, each focusing on a polarity of figures who represent the diverse range of views prevalent during that time. These figures include Plotinus and Augustine from late antiquity, Dionysius the Areopagite and Maximus the Confessor from the patristic period, Anselm and Bernard from the early middle ages, Bonaventure and Aquinas from the high middle ages, and, finally, Godfrey of Fontaines and John Duns Scotus from the late middle ages. Through this comprehensive analysis, Schindler unveils dimensions of freedom that have been overlooked in contemporary discourse, thereby identifying crucial tasks that remain to be accomplished.

Retrieving Freedom is a masterful study that appeals to philosophers, political theorists, students, and scholars of intellectual history, particularly those seeking an alternative to contemporary philosophical interpretations of freedom. It offers a profound and nuanced perspective that challenges the prevailing paradigms and encourages a deeper exploration of the concept of freedom. By delving into the rich tapestry of the Western tradition, Retrieving Freedom provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of human freedom and its historical development.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268203702