Friday 16 July 2010

Systematic and non-systematic

I thought this morning's Philosophy of Knowing class (I was rounding off the chapter on Heuristic Structures) went well - which means that 'there occurred' certain insights and connections in the course of the class. Like our catechesis as an elementary example of non-systematic process, and the call of the congregation to make it systematic: the guys understood that quite readily, I thought.

They liked the "you cannot teach an old dog new tricks" - my apology for talking and not doing: my youth group catechesis is highly unsystematic! And the invitation to them, the students, to be the new dogs, the new puppies who will learn and master the new tricks.

Interestingly, then, after this exaltation of the systematic, the recognition that it is the non-systematic that is the womb of novelty. So founders like Don Bosco and Francis of Assisi as basically non-systematic persons, breaking out of established routines and initiating new paths. And Bonaventure (and perhaps Rua) as providing the necessary systematization that ensures longevity to a movement.

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