“Seen as a whole, the direction of theological thinking has been characterized by a transference away from attention to the being per se of supernatural realities, and toward attention to their relationship with man, with the world, and with the problems and the affirmations of all those who for us represent the others.”

—  Yves Congar

Situation et tâches (1967), p. 27, as cited in Theology of Liberation (1973), pp. 7-8

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update Oct. 24, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "Seen as a whole, the direction of theological thinking has been characterized by a transference away from attention to …" by Yves Congar?
Yves Congar photo
Yves Congar 1
Dominican priest and cardinal 1904–1995

Related quotes

Pierre Hadot photo

“Scientific progress has led philosophers to turn their attention from the explanation of physical phenomena, abandoned to science, in order to direct it towards the problem of being itself.”

Pierre Hadot (1922–2010) French historian and philosopher

Les progrès scientifiques ont amené les philosophes à détourner leur attention de l’explication des phénomènes physiques, abandonnée désormais à la science, pour la diriger vers le problème de l’être lui-même.
La voile d'Isis: Essai sur l'histoire de l'idée de Nature (2004)

Mark Manson photo
Jim Gibbons photo

“Look at the movie 'Wag the Dog, I think this has all the elements of that movie. Our reaction to the embassy bombings should be based on sound, credible evidence, not a knee-jerk reaction to try to direct public attention away from his personal problems.”

Jim Gibbons (1944) American attorney, aviator, geologist, hydrologist and politician

On the Monica Lewinsky Scandal; Tokoma Tribune, 1998. http://web.archive.org/20050311213729/votegibbonsout.blogs.com/votegibbonsout/2004/03/did_gibbons_aid.html; Gibbons thought Clinton was too aggressive in taking on the terrorist threat posed by Al Qaida.

Simone Weil photo

“If anyone possesses this faculty, then his attention is in reality directed beyond the world, whether he is aware of it or not.”

Simone Weil (1909–1943) French philosopher, Christian mystic, and social activist

Draft for a Statement of Human Obligation (1943)
Context: If anyone possesses this faculty, then his attention is in reality directed beyond the world, whether he is aware of it or not.
The link which attaches the human being to the reality outside the world is, like the reality itself, beyond the reach of human faculties. The respect that it makes us feel as soon as it is recognized cannot be shown to us by evidence or testimony.

Bell Hooks photo
Billie Piper photo

“I think it must be hard being David. I get a certain level of attention but — I've seen it in action — he can't move for attention.”

Billie Piper (1982) English singer, dancer and actress

On her fame playing Rose Tyler, and David Tennant's playing The Doctor of Doctor Who.
Guardian interview (2008)

Frederick Buechner photo
Clive Staples Lewis photo

“Friends look in the same direction. Lovers look at each other — that is, in opposite directions. To transfer bodily all that belongs to one relationship into the other is blundering.”

Clive Staples Lewis (1898–1963) Christian apologist, novelist, and Medievalist

Equality (1943)
Context: Friends are not primarily absorbed in each other. It is when we are doing things together that friendship springs up – painting, sailing ships, praying, philosophizing, fighting shoulder to shoulder. Friends look in the same direction. Lovers look at each other — that is, in opposite directions. To transfer bodily all that belongs to one relationship into the other is blundering.

Simone Weil photo

“To anyone who does actually consent to directing his attention and love beyond the world, towards the reality that exists outside the reach of all human faculties, it is given to succeed in doing so. In that case, sooner or later, there descends upon him a part of the good, which shines through him upon all that surrounds him.”

Simone Weil (1909–1943) French philosopher, Christian mystic, and social activist

Draft for a Statement of Human Obligation (1943)
Context: There is a reality outside the world, that is to say, outside space and time, outside man's mental universe, outside any sphere whatsoever that is accessible to human faculties.
Corresponding to this reality, at the centre of the human heart, is the longing for an absolute good, a longing which is always there and is never appeased by any object in this world.
Another terrestrial manifestation of this reality lies in the absurd and insoluble contradictions which are always the terminus of human thought when it moves exclusively in this world.
Just as the reality of this world is the sole foundation of facts, so that other reality is the sole foundation of good.
That reality is the unique source of all the good that can exist in this world: that is to say, all beauty, all truth, all justice, all legitimacy, all order, and all human behaviour that is mindful of obligations.
Those minds whose attention and love are turned towards that reality are the sole intermediary through which good can descend from there and come among men.
Although it is beyond the reach of any human faculties, man has the power of turning his attention and love towards it.
Nothing can ever justify the assumption that any man, whoever he may be, has been deprived of this power.
It is a power which is only real in this world in so far as it is exercised. The sole condition for exercising it is consent.
This act of consent may be expressed, or it may not be, even tacitly; it may not be clearly conscious, although it has really taken place in the soul. Very often it is verbally expressed although it has not in fact taken place. But whether expressed or not, the one condition suffices: that it shall in fact have taken place.
To anyone who does actually consent to directing his attention and love beyond the world, towards the reality that exists outside the reach of all human faculties, it is given to succeed in doing so. In that case, sooner or later, there descends upon him a part of the good, which shines through him upon all that surrounds him.

Richard Dawkins photo

Related topics