Review article
https://doi.org/10.31337/oz.72.1.4
The Meaning of Time and History According to Romano Guardini
Davor Šimunec
; Catholic Faculty of Theology of the University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Hrvoje Zovko
Abstract
This article aims to put forward some of Romano Guardini’s thoughts on time and
history, his perception of meaning being specifically Christian. In order to decipher
the manner in which to evaluate time as history, which may indeed be profoundly
meaningful, Guardini touches upon some ideas and concepts for discussion purposes
in an endeavour to discover the deeper meaning of ordinary temporal successiveness
of moments and facts from which conclusions can be drawn only from an
inner–worldly perspective, for instance as the „eternal return of the same.“ How, in
fact, is one to accept one’s own time in an epoch without fleeing into the erroneous
conservativism of a previous state or, on the other hand, an illusory idea of a utopic
future? Guardini exemplifies a positive view which derives from his concept of the
human person as a historical and free being. Man is a person and is bound to struggle
in the world in order to avoid succumbing to a pessimistic or fatalistic outlook,
regardless of momentary adverse social pressures which may negate his dignity. In
point of fact, this proceeds from man’s dependency upon God. It is only through the
incarnated Logos that the true meaning of history is revealed, for it is He alone who
shall pass His righteous judgement upon that which has occurred in time
Keywords
time; history; epoch; person; freedom; incarnated Logos
Hrčak ID:
179991
URI
Publication date:
13.4.2017.
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