McDonnell earns SMC Aquinas chair in philosophy
By Sarah Rykowski
Saint Mary's News Editor
While the nation waits with baited breath to discover its new leader, Saint Mary's has inaugurated a new philosophical leader, professor Kevin McDonnell, as the Edna and George McMahon Aquinas Chair in Philosophy.
"You may know him as a teacher, a professor, as a colleague, as a scholar, or as a good friend," said Karen Ristau, vice president of faculty at the College, in her introductory remarks.
The chair was endowed by Joyce McMahon Hank, an alumna of Saint Mary's, in memory of her parents and in tribute to Thomas Aquinas, a philosopher, teacher of the Church, and a saint. Hank has also endowed the Joyce McMahon Hank Aquinas Chair in Philosophy, held by Keith Egan, a professor of religious studies and the director of the Center for Spirituality at the College.
"The establishment of these two chairs affirms and strengthens the academic base of the College, while it enhances each student's search for the truth regardless of her chosen field," Hank said. "I believe it will give their lives both roots and wings for the future."
McDonnell has taught at Saint Mary's since 1976, after receiving his B.A. from Manhattan College, a Ph.D. from Georgetown University, and a year of post-doctoral study at the Pontifical Institute for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto.
"I think he is an extremely appropriate faculty member to hold the first chair in philosophy," Marilou Eldred, president of Saint Mary's, said. "I would describe Kevin as an intellectual role model for students. I am hopeful that it will increase students' interest in philosophy."
McDonnell's first publications were in the field of medieval philosophy and ethics, especially the thought and work of William of Ockham and Aquinas.
After McDonnell began to teach a course on medical ethics at the College, he focused his research on the areas of contemporary bioethics and medical ethics. Currently, McDonnell serves on the Ethics committee at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, and the Human Rights Committee of the Logan Center.
Along with his classes at Saint Mary's, McDonnell also teaches medical ethics courses at the South Bend Center for Medical Education, part of Indiana University's medical school.
"He has accomplished a great deal here and has a reputation as a fine teacher and scholar," Ristau said. "His work and Aquinas' work, and what [the College is] trying to do really come together."
In her opening comments, Ristau directed attention to McDonnell's newest publication, the second edition of his medical ethics casebook, "Tough Decisions," with John Freeman. McDonnell is also co-editor of "A Health Law Reader", another medical ethics textbook, with John Robinson of the Johns Hopkins Medical Center, and Roberta Berry.
In honor of the inauguration, McDonnell gave a talk on Aquinas titled "Thomas Aquinas—An Intellectual's Life." Aquinas should not be classified as either a theologian or a philosopher, McDonnell contended.
"I would like to suggest that he was either both or neither," McDonnell said. "More that he was a master of impure reason, reason not divorced from religion," said McDonnell.
McDonnell used a brief biography of Aquinas' life in addition to an outline of his four modes of order, to prove his point.
"Contemporary intellectuals need to employ diverse methods," McDonnell said. "[They need to] mix learning with relative life experiences."
While Aquinas was a student and follower of Aristotle's teachings, McDonnell explained, Aquinas differed from the ancient philosopher with regards to religion and creationist theory.
"Aquinas reworked Aristotle's view of nature [and] did not take up with those theologians [who denied evolution,]" McDonnell said.
According to McDonnell, through careful study of metaphysics and the biblical scriptures, Aquinas was able to find a middle ground between science and religion.
"Aquinas moved among the scientists just as he moved among the cultural centers of the world," McDonnell said. "He was a worthy member of the company of intellectuals."
Along with his regular classes, McDonnell's duties as Aquinas Chair include teaching a new course on "Thomas Aquinas and Natural Law," and organizing an annual symposium to further the dialogue between Aquinas' thought and contemporary philosophical issues.
"I hope we can find in his life what genuine and effective intellectuals are all about," McDonnell said.
All News Stories for Thursday, November 9, 2000
