LOGOS AND LIFE:

BENEDICT XVI AND NIETZSCHE ON REASON AND THE REALITY OF GOD

February 15, 2024

FR. JOHN BAYER O. CIST.

University of Dallas

Does your spiritual life matter for the life of the mind? This talk examines the connection between reason and our apprehension of God according to Pope Benedict XVI and Friedrich Nietzsche. These two thinkers – the former among the most famous pope-scholars in history and the latter among the most profound atheists ever to assail Christianity – have more in common than might initially appear. By exploring points of convergence and contrast in their writings, this talk aims to elucidate the existential drama facing us all, and to defend friendship with Jesus as central to the life of the mind.

LECTURE HANDOUT

Fr. John Bayer O. Cist.

Fr. John Bayer O. Cist. is a monk of Our Lady of Dallas Cistercian Abbey, an Adjunct Professor of Theology at the University of Dallas, and a teacher of theology and Latin at the Cistercian Preparatory School. His teaching and writing cover philosophy and theology in both the medieval and modern periods. Fr. John received his S.T.D. from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

This event is made possible through the support of grant #62372 from the John Templeton Foundation, “In Lumine: Promoting the Catholic Intellectual Tradition on Campuses Nationwide.” The opinions expressed in this event are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.

HARVARD CATHOLIC FORUM

LOGOS AND LIFE:

BENEDICT XVI AND NIETZSCHE ON REASON AND THE REALITY OF GOD

Fr. John Bayer O. Cist.

HARVARD CATHOLIC FORUM

We regret that visitor parking is not available in the courtyard of the church. A limited number of metered parking spaces are available around the church building and Harvard Square (free on Sundays and state holidays). There are also a number of private garages and parking lots in the area.