Abstract
Jacques Maritain insisted that he was not a theologian, but a philosopher who considered certain theological subjects as a philosopher. However, many intellectuals, Catholic and non-Catholic, thought otherwise. Pius XII once admonished him to limit his writings to speculative philosophy. His Humanisme intégral barely escaped being placed on the Index of Forbidden Books. As he advanced in age, he turned more and more to theological reflections. At the close of Vatican II, Paul VI placed the Council's message to the intellectuals of the world into the hands of this aging philosopher. Marie-Joseph Nicolas, OP, asks: “Who will ever distinguish what he owes to the Church from what the Church owes to him?”
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.