Notre Dame
ERIN LARUFFA
News Writer
Most people do not have the opportunity to attend conferences held in their honor.
Ralph McInerny, however, a Notre Dame professor of philosophy and medieval studies, will do just that in McKenna Hall on Saturday.
"It's very unnerving in a way," McInerny said. "It's very flattering, of course."
Philosophers from universities around the United States will participate in the conference. They will lecture on topics ranging from 16th century natural philosophy to the role of Catholic philosophers.
McInerny, who has taught at Notre Dame since 1955, specializes in medieval philosophy and the works Thomas Aquinas.
"He has been one of the three or four most important figures in the last century [in keeping alive the neo-Thomast movement]," said philosophy professor David Solomon, referring to the 20th century movement based on the ideas of Thomas Aquinas. Solomon has been largely responsible for organizing the conference.
McInerny's respectability within the philosophical community has earned him six honorary degrees from universities around the world.
Currently, McInerny has the honor of giving the Gifford Lectures in Scotland.
He has published many philosophical books, including his recent translations of Aquinas' writings.
McInerny, however, has not limited himself to philosophy. He has also written 63 fiction books, including a series of mysteries set at Notre Dame.
McInerny authored the Father Doweling mystery series, which was made into a television series that ran for three years.
"I have three or four mysteries a year that come out and I do non-mystery fiction as well," McInerny said.
McInerny has started two magazines, which Solomon said are "two of the most important Catholic magazines."
In the 1980s, McInerny founded Crisis, which he described as "a journal of Catholic lay opinion." About four years ago, he began the Catholic Dossier as a forum to place Catholic doctrine in its correct context.
McInerny also has tremendous influence through his teaching at Notre Dame.
"He has taught an entire generation of Ph.D.s," Solomon said. "He is just about the most productive person any of us have ever known," said Solomon.
McInerny actually spent two years in a seminary, where he was first exposed to philosophical teaching. Although he decided against continuing to the priesthood, it seemed natural for him to pursue a career as a philosopher.
"Philosophers are always wondering if there is such a thing as philosophy," he said.
Philosophy is an important subject for students because it deals with the larger questions of life, McInerny said.
"It's not some technical thing that you then go out and use," he said. "It is really pondering questions that are inescapable for everyone."
He taught for a year at Creighton University before coming to Notre Dame, which he had never visited until after he was hired.
"I love it here. I can't imagine being anywhere else," McInerny said. He also added that it is difficult to age in a setting with so many enthusiastic young people.
"It's hard to grow old in this kind of situation," said McInerny. "You watch generation after generation come in."
All six of McInerny's children attended Notre Dame. He also hopes one of his 15 grandchildren will attend the University next year.
"[Notre Dame] is unique," he said. "It stamps people, usually for the good."
Additionally, McInerny is the director of the Jacques Maritain Center at Notre Dame. The center consists of a library collection dedicated to the work of Maritain, a French philosopher who considered himself a friend of Notre Dame.
The conference, which will celebrate McInerny's life and career, coincides with Notre Dame Press' publication of "Recovering Nature: Essays in Natural Philosophy, Ethics, and Metaphysics in Honor of Ralph McInerny."
All News Stories for Friday, December 3, 1999
