The Thomistic Personalism of Norris Clarke, SJ

Abstract

Norris Clarke and I came into contact with each other around 1992, and stayed in close contact until his death. In those years I invited him to Franciscan University more frequently than I invited any other philosopher. On two occasions he in fact taught a guest course for us. His last visit to Franciscan University was for the purpose of celebrating his 90th birthday in 2005. I can say that the many encounters with Fr. Clarke over these years had a major impact on my own philosophical journey. And so I am glad to have this opportunity to pay tribute to his philosophical legacy. And I hope it will not be out of place if I speak in a somewhat personal vein by referring to the dialogue we had over the years. I cannot help but think that Fr. Clarke, who himself liked to speak in this personal vein, would have been glad to hear me weaving into my remarks something of our many fruitful conversations.