Truth and Irony

Terence J. Martin is professor of religion at St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN, USA.

"Three meditations by Martin are, like Erasmus's writing, a delight, imaginative, whimsical, unsettling, and engaging."--D.A. Brown, CA State Univ, CHOICE "Martin's lengthy introduction grants a marvelous framework for understanding Erasmian thought before exploring the three meditations. This introductory material provides an exceptional review to the basic tenets of Erasmian thought. There is also a wonderful epilogue which seeks to apply these philosophical principles to real experience. This title is complete with a comprehensive bibliography and helpful index. Truth and Irony: Philosophical Meditations on Erasmus is recommended for all academic libraries."--John Leonard Berg, Catholic Library World "This is a remarkable book a fine and erudite examination wherein the author tries to unravel an aspect of our human existence in an elegant style and with many references to both major and minor thinkers, past and present beautifully written and original contribution to moral philosophy..."--Mary Sirridge, Louisiana State University, Journal of the History of Philosophy "With 'Truth and Irony', Terence J. Martin has written a marvelously rich and intelligent set of essays on the wisdom of Desiderius Erasmus."--Han van Ruler, Erasmus Univ. Rotterdam, Renaissance Quarterly "This book neatly explores some of the current interpretations and debates about Erasmus. Yet Martin goes beyond intellectual-historical analysis to put Erasmus into 'conversations in heaven' with thinkers of the past, beginning with patristic and medieval theological traditions, and later thinkers from Derrida to Kierkegaard and from Kant or Montaigne, and gives him a place in fierce current discources undertaken by intellectuals such as Bernard-Henri Levy or Martha Nussbaum. The book therefore amply rewards anyone prepared to undertake the philosophical meditations proposed by the book's title. Carefully copy-edited and beautifully printed on good paper, with chapter ornaments, Catholic University Press's production has served its author well."--Moore, Michael Edward, Erasmus Studies "This work - equally rigorous and elegant - will find great appeal to those looking for fresh alternatives in Western thought for thinking about the paradoxes, curiosities, hypocrisies, and sources of communication, communion, and pleasure in the quest for self-knowledge." - Richard B. Miller, University of Chicago"--