The Intellectual Journey
(CLAR101)
Text
of Bonaventure, Itinerarium
transl. by Oleg Bychkov
Electronic versions of the syllabus and other documents:
PROLOGUE: THE LIFE OF LEARNING
In
the opening paragraphs of the Itinerarium,
St. Bonaventure presents a vision of peace and contemplation that is the
goal of the fully integrated life, a life ordered by both coherent
educational goals and authentic personal integrity. The university life of
learning and theoretical speculation, of scientific research and
reflection on human experience, of contemplation and illumination,
constitutes the intellectual journey, a path that leads to both
enlightenment and personal development. The intellectual life refreshes
the spirit and ennobles all of our activities, both professional and
personal. At the very heart of Bonaventure’s vision is his conviction
that we must begin the journey with a joyous, positive spirit, “anointed
with the oil of gladness.” The
most important message of the prologue is that, in order to learn
properly, one should have an urge and desire for learning and wisdom.
Useful link (Reading guides, info on authors)
Itinerarium,
Prologue:
“The Soul’s Journey Into God,” 1-4.
Personal Quest for Knowledge
Text of Prologue, transl. by O. Bychkov
Wright,
Richard. Black Boy: A Record of
Childhood and Youth. NY: Harper & Row, 1945. (Ch. 13: “The
Library Card,” pp. 214-22).
Rodriguez,
Richard. The Hunger of Memory: The
Education of Richard Rodriguez, An Autobiography (Ch.
2, pp. 19-28).
Value of Knowledge as Such (Liberal Education)
Cicero,
Pro Archia poeta (In
Defense of Archias. Cicero:
Selected Speeches, trans. Michael
Grant. NY: Penguin, 1977.)
Newman,
J. H. The Idea of a University.
Garden City, NY: Image Books, 1962. (“Discourse VII: Knowledge Viewed in
Relation to Professional Skill,” pp. 170-92).