Abstract: | Descartes introduced a new method of thinking,
which became a binding paradigm of modern science.
This method replaced Aristotle’s physics and
in practice invalidated his metaphysics. The main
thesis of the article is a statement that the Cartesian
way of thinking is unable to “see” human beings
in their humanity. It perceives a human being as a
complicated mechanism – a machine. Therefore,
theology cannot accept Cartesian assumptions as
the basis of its reflection. It has to find other rational
foundations and ways of thinking. Certainly,
it is not a right way for theology to attempt to
revoke or disregard the Cartesian revolution and
return to scholasticism. Theology receives assistance
in this quest from the European philosophy
of the twentieth century, which also tries to break
free from the Cartesian paradigm. In this context,
the article indicates the twentieth century philosophical
reflection on the language: semiotics and
hermeneutics, and the reflection of E. Levinas,
as especially useful in these theological quests.
Offering theological and spiritual reflection beyond
the Cartesian paradigm is increasingly important,
due to the rapid development of technology, especially
the so-called “artificial intelligence”. |