In seventeenth-century France, southwest of Paris, the
Port-Royal convent became the center of the Jansenist movement and
of its adherents' resistance to church and throne. Three abbesses
from the Arnauld family spearheaded this resistance: Mere Angelique
Arnauld (1591-1661), Mere Agnes Arnauld (1593-1671), and Mere
Angelique de Saint-Jean Arnauld d'Andilly (1624-1684). Although
many books have been written about the tragic lives of the
Port-Royal nuns, John J. Conley provides the first study of the
radical Augustinian philosophy developed by these remarkable
abbesses during decades of persecution by Louis XIV and his
ecclesiastical allies.Openly declaring themselves "disciples of
Saint Augustine," the Arnauld abbesses forged a philosophy notable
for its original treatment of the attributes that stressed divine
otherness; a moral philosophy of virtue rooted in grace; and a
politics that supported the right of women to resist abuses of
religious and civil authority. Although their philosophy was
clearly influenced by their male Jansenist mentors, the nuns'
radical Augustinianism maintains its own gendered originality:
their philosophy of virtue is closely tied to practices valued in a
contemplative convent setting; their defense of freedom of
conscience is linked to their defense of women's right to exercise
religious authority; and their negative theology, focused on divine
incomprehensibility, depicts a God beyond sexual difference. A
fascinating account that includes translations ranging from
abbatial conferences to private letters, "Adoration and
Annihilation"is an important chronicle of the doctrinal battles of
early modern Catholicism. "From Sainte-Beuve's history of
Port-Royal to more recent accounts of the events leading to the
destruction of Port-Royal des Champs, examinations of the lives and
fortunes of seventeenth-century Jansenist men and women are not
new. Nor are detailed studies of the philosophical views of
Jansenist men, such as that of Blaise Pascal. "Adoration and
Annihilation," however, presents us with something new and
important. In this original and long-overdue contribution to
intellectual history, we are given a painstaking analysis of
documents that provides a portrait of the philosophically and
theologically inspired thought of three of the women of Port Royal.
Conley not only gives evidence of the women's commitment to a
negative theology and an Augustinian theory of grace and human free
will, he uses gender as a lens through which to reconstruct the
women's emerging virtue ethics--an ethics whose central virtues are
the mainstays of early modern female monastic life." --Eileen
O'Neill, University of Massachusetts "John J. Conley, S.J., brings
to life, in amazing technicolor, the complex personalities of the
long-overlooked and complicated Port-Royal Arnaud women
philosophers. Steeped in historical, religious, and philosophical
significance, Conley's lively account highlights the intricacies of
the historical setting of the Port-Royal Convent--the political
intrigues, the economic power plays, and the often desperate
condition of the women who are the main characters. This is an
exciting and useful contribution for those teaching philosophy,
religion, women's studies, French literary studies, and history."
--Mary Ellen Waithe, Cleveland State University "John J. Conley
provides a fascinating analysis of the neo-Augustinian theological
and ethical thought of the nuns of Port-Royal that makes a
convincing case for their inclusion in an expanded canon of
philosophy. Conley's writing is erudite and his arguments are
meticulously researched and supported, making "Adoration and
Annihilation"""accessible even for the reader with little
background in Augustinian thought. The richness of historical
detail and the insight with which he treats these women
philosophers and their writings means that Conley does more than
render their work visible, he also brings these philosophers
themselves to life." --Catherine Villanueva Gardner, University of
Massachusetts-Dartmouth
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