The Life of Jacques Maritain
Dive into the unique life, background, and Catholic conversion of Jacques Maritain, his intellectual connection to his wife and partner Raïssa, and philosophical approach that made him one of the pre-eminent thinkers of the twentieth century.
Experience the Episode
Presented by Jacques Maritain Center
Dive into the unique life, background, and Catholic conversion of Jacques Maritain, his intellectual connection to his wife and partner Raïssa, and philosophical approach that made him one of the pre-eminent thinkers of the twentieth century. Jason West, Full Professor of Philosophy at Newman Theological College, walks us through Chapter One of his book The Christian Philosophy of Jacques Maritain.
Meet the Speaker: Jason West
Dr. Jason L.A. West has taught at Newman Theological College since 2004, where he served as president from 2012-2024, and is currently a full professor of philosophy. An expert on the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, Dr. West is author of How to become a Rational Animal (Justin Press) and his most recent book, The Christian Philosophy of Jacques Maritain (Catholic University of America Press). He has also published many articles in academic journals on Aquinas, metaphysics, theology and political theory. He is a public member of the governing Council of the Alberta College of Pharmacy, and past-president of the Canadian Society for Christian Philosophers.
Questions for Discussion
Explore the questions about Jacques Maritain’s life and philosophical method below on your own, or together with others.
- What connections do you see between Maritain’s life and his approach to philosophy?
- Is a Christian philosophy possible? Why or why not?
- To what extent is it legitimate for a philosopher to draw on non-philosophical factors such as religion, historical or cultural context, in developing philosophy? Is Christianity unique or problematic in this way?
Book: The Christian Philosophy of Jacques Maritain
From the publisher: A study of the Christian philosophy of Jacques Maritain (1882-1973), an influential, creative, and prolific writer. He was widely recognized as one of the most prominent Catholic intellectuals during his own lifetime and was widely seen as a spokesman for the Thomistic revival. This study aims to present Maritain’s thought as a dynamic and coherent philosophy in its own right.
For more information or to order a copy of the book, please visit the Catholic University of America Press website.