Abstract

In the Introduction, the author gives a brief biography of the Canadian Jesuit, Bernard J. F. Lonergan. Then evidence is presented to show that Lonergan has been an influential philosopher and theologian. Finally, the author points out that the mathematical segments of Lonergan's work have been generally neglected in scholarly research. ;Chapter 2 investigates Lonergan's relationship to Scholasticism, particularly Thomism. In describing Lonergan's effect on Scholastic philosophy, the author argues for Lonergan's classification as a neo-Thomist. ;The next two chapters deal with the mathematical examples used by Lonergan. Chapter 3 shows how wide-ranging these examples are. Chapter 4 attempts to classify these examples as to their academic level . Although Lonergan uses mathematics from all three levels, the author suggests that disciples of Lonergan may be surprised that so many of the Canadian philosopher's mathematical examples pertain to secondary school mathematics. ;In the crucial fifth chapter, the author points out many of Lonergan's mathematical "errors." Most of these are not so much mistakes as they are inaccuracies or mathematical statements plagued by a lack of precision. A not unsimilar conclusion is reached in Chapter 6, "Lonergan and His Classical Mathematical Sources": The author criticizes Lonergan for his lack of scholarship in not giving specific references for most of his mathematical sources. ;The final two chapters consider Lonergan's philosophical-theological method. Chapter 7 gives examples of how Lonergan uses mathematics to make philosophical points or to justify his transcendental method. The last chapter presents a series of the author's "reflections" concerning Lonergan's knowledge and use of mathematics. The harshest criticism, however, is reserved for the philosophers and theologians who read Lonergan's works, particularly Insight , so uncritically, at least as far as Lonergan's mathematics was concerned. Finally, the author gives his personal evaluation of Lonergan's overall achievement