Jacques Maritain Center: Thomistic Institute  Angst of reason
Rémi BRAGUE (Paris I)          The main move in the Encyclica
[1] is a powerful turning the tables. The "et" in the title is
in fact a hinge. Apologetics traditionally conceived of its role
as being a defence of faith against an overly obtrusive reason.
Such a task was accomplished by the first Vatican Council, more
than a century ago. The Pope reminds us of this achievement (§
52-53, p. 71-73). But what is at stake at present is no longer
staving off reason by showing that it has not a clear
consciousness of its own limits. On the contrary, reason itself
must be defended against its own devils. Faith becomes the
advocate of reason (§ 56, p. 79).          The all-pervading
keytone is uneasiness. At first sight, this somehow contrasts
with the famous first words of the newly elected Pope: "don't be
afraid". However, the ultimate aim is the same: courage asserts
itself in the teeth of what is fearful. In order to be
courageous, and not simply foolha