Review article
https://doi.org/10.31337/oz.81.1.3
Croatian Philosopher Đuro Gračanin on Bergson’s Conception of Christianity
Ivan Macut
orcid.org/0000-0001-8343-8902
; Institut za filozofiju, Zagreb, Hrvatska
*
Ivana Skuhala Karasman
; Institut za filozofiju, Zagreb, Hrvatska
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Over the past twenty years the Croatian philosopher, theologian, apologist and priest
Đuro Gračanin (1899–1973) has been the subject of an increasing number of studies
in the field of Croatian philosophical and theological heritage. The initial chapter of
the paper presents a concise biographical account of Gračanin, providing an overview
of his life and work. Gračanin was born in 1899 in Gacko, and he pursued his studies in Paris and Zagreb. He was awarded his doctoral degree on the strength of
his studies in both Paris and Zagreb. At the Faculty of Theology in Zagreb, he was
awarded his doctorate for a thesis entitled ‘Modern Philosopher Defender of Christianity?’.
It deals with the question: Does Bergson’s conceptualisation of Christianity
facilitate an accurate comprehension of the natural and supernatural realms?
He held the position of Professor of Theology at the Faculty of Theology in Zagreb
for a considerable period of time, in addition to which he also served as Dean. He
passed away in Zagreb in 1973. The second chapter of the paper analyses Gračanin’s
doctoral thesis with the objective of identifying the arguments he presents in favour
of and in opposition to specific philosophical positions put forth by Bergson. On
the one hand, Gračanin acknowledges Bergson’s contributions to the affirmation of
Christianity and Christian teaching. Nevertheless, he also identifies certain deficiencies
in the philosophy being examined. These include an erroneous understanding of
God (pantheism), an inability to distinguish between nature and the supernatural,
and an insufficient grasp of the role of grace in the lives of Christian mystics. The
third chapter of the work presents a previously unnoticed perception of Bergson’s
philosophical thought in our country Croatia, as it relates to research that has been
previously published. It can be concluded that Gračanin’s doctoral thesis on Bergson
did not contribute to the advancement of Bergson’s philosophy in our country.
Nevertheless, recent developments have demonstrated that Gračanin’s philosophical
thought is increasingly being recognized and examined which indicates a growing
interest in his work.
Keywords
Đuro Gračanin; Henri Bergson; Christianity; natural order; supernatural order
Hrčak ID:
341002
URI
Publication date:
7.1.2026.
Visits: 310 *