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Frederick D. Wilhelmsen

Frederick D. Wilhelmsen was an influential American Catholic philosopher renowned for his contributions to the Thomistic tradition. He dedicated much of his academic career to the University of Dallas, where he taught from 1965 until his passing in 1996. Wilhelmsen's work extended beyond philosophy; he was also a political commentator who critically analyzed American politics and society through a traditionalist lens. His insights often highlighted the shortcomings of secular liberal democracy, advocating for a return to foundational principles rooted in Catholic thought. In addition to his role at the University of Dallas, Wilhelmsen taught at various institutions, including the University of Santa Clara and Al-Hikma University in Baghdad. His teachings resonated with students across the globe, earning him affectionate nicknames such as "Don Federico" from his Spanish students and "Fritz" from his American pupils. Wilhelmsen's legacy lies in his ability to bridge philosophical inquiry with practical political discourse, making significant contributions to contemporary Catholic thought and traditionalist philosophy.

Wikipedia

Frederick D. "Fritz" Wilhelmsen (18 May 1923 — 21 May 1996) was an American Catholic philosopher known for his explicati...

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“A basic flaw in contemporary American educational philosophy as much as it is under the influence of the late John Dewey, is it s failure to grasp the essentially artistic character of teaching. Due to an inflated opinion of "science" and all things supposedly "scientific," educators have been loathe to admit that teaching is an art, not a science. The art of teaching is a mingling of the liberal and the dramatic arts. Above and beyond the subject matter, the teacher actually needs but two assets: (a) a grasp of the liberal arts of grammar, rhetoric,and logic; (b) a mastery of the dramatic art of presentation." — pg 126 footnote 1.”

“Philosophers in the scholastic tradition have usually defined intellectual certitude as a proposition in which we have no reasonable 'fear' of the opposite proposition turning out to be the truth. But this "fear" of which the medieval scholastics spoke does not convey their teaching to a mind trained in the proper formalities of the English language. A lack of fear, in this context, means that we cannot judge the opposite to be possible and that we are fully conscious of the reasons why we cannot. We have no reason permitting us to withhold assent to the proposition at hand. "lack of fear, " in this context, is something intellectual; it is not really a "lack of fear," in the emotional sense at all, and "fear" —in English - connotes the emotional. A man can possess intellectual certitude about a proposition and still fail to possess subjective or emotional certitude. He can emotionally fear the opposite, even though he cannot think the opposite to be a possibility. A man ca be absolutely certain that a God exists and still feel His absence. pg 172”

“A basic flaw in contemporary American educational philosophy as much as it is under the influence of the late John Dewey, is it s failure to grasp the essentially artistic character of teaching. Due to an inflated opinion of "science" and all things supposedly "scientific," educators have been loathe to admit that teaching is an art, not a science. The art of teaching is a mingling of the liberal and the dramatic arts. Above and beyond the subject matter, the teacher actually needs but two assets: (a) a grasp of the liberal arts of grammar, rhetoric,and logic; (b) a mastery of the dramatic art of presentation." — pg 126 footnote 1.”

“Philosophers in the scholastic tradition have usually defined intellectual certitude as a proposition in which we have no reasonable 'fear' of the opposite proposition turning out to be the truth. But this "fear" of which the medieval scholastics spoke does not convey their teaching to a mind trained in the proper formalities of the English language. A lack of fear, in this context, means that we cannot judge the opposite to be possible and that we are fully conscious of the reasons why we cannot. We have no reason permitting us to withhold assent to the proposition at hand. "lack of fear, " in this context, is something intellectual; it is not really a "lack of fear," in the emotional sense at all, and "fear" —in English - connotes the emotional. A man can possess intellectual certitude about a proposition and still fail to possess subjective or emotional certitude. He can emotionally fear the opposite, even though he cannot think the opposite to be a possibility. A man ca be absolutely certain that a God exists and still feel His absence. pg 172”

Books from the author

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HilaireBelloc: NoAlienatedMan; A St...

Frederick D. Wilhelmsen

Hilaire Belloc: No Alienated Man; A Study in Christian Integration

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