Customer Reviews

The Malebranche Moment: Selections From The Letters of Etienne Gilson & Henri Gouhier (1920-1936) (Marquette Studies in Philosophy)

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This charming and enjoyable book gives us an informal glimpse into Gilson's life and thought and should be of interest to students both of Gilson and French intellectual history of the time. It also makes apparent to us how much daily correspondence, even when on minor topics, can reveal about the mind of an important thinker.

Fafara's book has different levels of interest. The obvious one is the human face that the publication of correspondence gives to the letter-writers. In this case, those interested in Gilson and Gouhier can get glimpses of the personal lives of the two scholars, such as Gilson's liking for hunting and fishing. Another level on which to read the book is the view it offers of what is arguably the greatest of all culture wars: the struggle of thinkers like Malebranche to defend Christian culture against the the gathering forces of secular thought. Throughout the book, Fafara provides readers with a running footnote commentary that greatly clarifies the people and events to which the letters refer as well as furnishing a good read all on its own. Scholars will appreciate the inclusion of the translated letters in their original French, the thorough bibliography, and a very useful index of terms.

If we are fortunate in our life, most of us have experienced the positive impact of a unique and wonderful teacher or professor. The Malbranche Moment vividly captures the extraordinary professor/student relationship during the 1920's and 30's between the noted French philosopher, Etienne Gilson and his student, Henri Gouhier. Richard Fafara's research into the lives of these men and his access to the private papers of Gilson and Gouhier provides a detailed portrait of these great and talented French philosphers.
With superb translations of the original French texts of the letters (which are also included in this volume) the reader can appreciate the nuances of a friendship marked by scholarship, humor and respect.
I strongly encourage anyone interested in philosophy, Catholicism or the dynamics of an inspirational relationship between professor and student to read this book.