Newman in the Story of Philosophy

“Pratt Morris-Chapman, in his original study of John Henry Newman’s intellectual contribution, persuasively establishes that Newman, most readily recognized as a theologian and canonized saint, left another legacy as an influential philosopher both in his own time and in contemporary discourse.”


—Carolyn Muessig, Chair of Christian Thought, University of Calgary





“In all aspects of daily living, even more in the religious domain, we tend to belittle what is essential to human flourishing: the art of thinking. What Dr. Pratt Morris-Chapman argues for in this publication is how an eminent theologian like St. John Henry Newman forms part of the story of philosophy. In exploring the way in which Cardinal Mercier and Roderick Chisholm use Newman’s defense of religious belief, the author highlights the ability of this theologian to reveal the idea that reason is a foundational element within the logic of faith. This literary work is to be valued as it responds to our quest of giving a sense of purpose to religious thinking for contemporary philosophy.”


—Ian Ernest, Director, the Anglican Centre in Rome





“This extensively researched book traces the abiding influence of John Henry Newman, especially by relating it to the particularist epistemology of the philosopher of religion William J. Abraham. It explains how both authors explore questions of the deepest relevance for our times: the limits of rationalistic liberalism, the credibility of religious belief, and the nature of religion as a historical phenomenon. It is valuable reading for both the secularly curious and the religiously committed.”


—Gerard Whelan, SJ, Director of the Department of Fundamental Theology, the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome