The colonial period of U.S. history contains a variety of interesting lessons. One of these pertains to the concept of a "virtuoso." The virtuoso was primarily characterized by curiosity. Rather than being overly specialized, the virtuoso explored a wide range of interests. The study of nature, art, literature, and theology all would have been pursuits common to this stereotype. This blog aspires to take this early category and use it as a point of departure for exploration and reflection.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Cartesian Certainty, A Problem?
"Figures such as Derrida and John D. Caputo rightly point out (and many who are part of the emergent conversation and very sympathetic on this score) that the modern Cartesian dream of absolute certainty is just that: a dream, and admittedly, one that has been a nightmare for those who have become victims to such rational confidence (colonized peoples, an exploited creation, etc.). And far too often, some version of Cartesian certainty has attached itself to particular religious expressions - the result is what we call fundamentalism - and engendered untold harm." ~ James K.A. Smith "Who's Afraid of Postmodernism?" pg. 118
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