Some reference texts

For our own direction and tutelage, and as guide to our faculty and students:

1. John Henry Cardinal Newman.
The Idea of a University
University Sketches


See here for on-line versions.

2. Stanley L. Jaki, O.S.B.

Chesterton a Seer of Science (in print)
This relatively small book examines the work of GKC as it deals with Science. It is an introduction and just four "Interpreter of Science", "Antagonist of Scientism", "Critic of Evolutionism", "Champion of the Universe". Its power is that it is the work of a theologian and historian of science, studying the writing of a prolific English man of letters - a bridge if there ever was one.

Science and Creation (rare; we may expect it to be reprinted in "near future")
This is SLJ's study of the history of science: the first six chapters examine the great ancient cultures (India, China, Egypt, Babylon, Greece, and Aztec/Inca) and shows how each failed to establish viable science. The seventh is on the Jews, and is most remarkable; the eighth on early Christianity and the ninth on medieval Islam lead to the great tenth on the foundation of Science in the Sorbonne in the 1300s by Buridan and Oresme, as brought to light by Pierre Duhem.

SLJ has many other works of use to us; these two are good starting points until we have time to write a suitable "intro to Jaki" book.

(SLJ works available from Real View Books; the GKC book also from ACS.


2. Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth is a "children's book" but well suited to our work... once you read it (or re-read it) you will grasp why.

Contrary to expectations I don't include a GKC title since I have mentioned SLJ's book on him; there are references to most of his works, which is sufficient for our purposes here.

There was another title Sean mentioned, which I have forgotten.


Here are a few others we will not want to lose sight of:

Kneller: Christianity and the Makers of Modern Science (SLJ wrote an intro to the Real View Books reprint of this) It reviews many Christian scientists of the 1800s.

Walsh: The Popes and Science He was a physician, and focusses on the medical aspects, but includes other details; he also has some other titles which may be worthwhile.