The Philosophical Grounds and Implications of Wojtyla’s Personalism

During the whole intellectual life of Karol Wojtyła/John Paul II, the person has been at the center of his thinking and writing. The aim of this course is to present the philosophical grounds of Wojtyła’s personalism. The rich sources of his thought on person will be examined, particularly his reflection on culture; the mystical theology of St. John of the Cross; the metaphysical anthropology of Thomas Aquinas; critical theory of Immanuel Kant; and phenomenology of Max Scheler. Ultimately, it is the Christocentric anthropology of Vatican II that provided the most important stimulus and inspiration for Wojtyła’s personalism. The course will examine both the contribution of Wojtyła to the Council and the influence of Council’s teaching on Wojtyła’s and John Paul II’s personalism.