I began
developing this compendium after studying the philosophical aspects of
Lonergan's thought under Michael Vertin at the University of Toronto (St.
Michael's College) during the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 academic years.
My aim here is to distill and—where I believe
it necessary—emend, refine, and augment the philosophical work of Lonergan and
of certain Lonergan scholars.[1] I have pursued that aim because
1. in my estimation that philosophical work (a) most compellingly addresses philosophical issues and (b) can be enhanced with certain emendations, refinements, and augmentations
2. tacit (if not explicit) positions on (at least some) philosophical issues underlie all formal investigative efforts and, more importantly, all efforts to live well individually and collectively
3. I therefore judged, when I undertook to write this, that there was need of a compendious presentation of the philosophical work of Lonergan and of certain Lonergan scholars as emended, refined, and augmented in the ways I believe are necessary.
[1] I of course invite good-faith
disagreement and subsequent good-faith dialogue concerning any of what I present
as emendations, refinements, or needed augmentations of that philosophical work.
Also: this work contains extended discussion of topics that are conventionally associated less with philosophy and more with psychology, sociology, and anthropology but that nevertheless, I will argue, are also within the set of topics to be addressed by philosophy.
Finally, this compendium is by design a perpetual work-in-progress: revisions to the text are regularly uploaded, even though all planned parts of the text have been written. Feedback is welcome at adrial.fitzgerald@gmail.com
