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edwinablair's review
5.0
If you ignore the fact that it was written in the 1920’s and there is an assumption that the “intellectual life” is the domain only of men....then this is a great book for those of us called to intellectual vocations. While no new practical insights, those that were in this book simply confirmed my current practices. It was good to read about the reality of the academic life and that any struggles we have are ones that are not new. I have a new appreciation for the spiritual discipline of the intellectual life and will come back to this classic, especially chapter 8 for many years to come.
ivantable's review
4.0
This book is a great distillation of the Catholic intellectual tradition, which has much to offer Protestant evangelicals who care about ideas. Sertilanges reminds us that the intellectual life is a calling. As a Catholic, he recognizes that there is a unity of truth grounded in God himself. While he recognizes the importance of breadth of knowledge, he argues that "true knowledge ... lies in depth" (118).
Also, he wants to fight against intellectual sloth and therefore he presents the intellectual life as arduous: "A real thinker brings a very different spirit to his work; he is carried along by the instinct of a conqueror, by an urge, an enthusiasm, an inspiration, that are heroic" (126).
As for reading, Sertillanges warns against "inordinate reading" since the mind "is made gradually incapable of reflection and concentration" (147). He discourages reading daily newspapers: "defend yourself against them with the energy that the continuity and the indiscretion of their assault make indispensable" (149). In sum, he encourages the kind of reading that is an impetus for reflection. Books should inspire our own thinking and reading should awaken reflection (170, 190). "A book is a signal, a stimulant, a helper, an initiator—it is not the substitute and it is not a chain. Our thought must be what we ourselves are" (172).
Moreover, the intellectual life is not ivory-tower musing but ought to lead to a virtuous life. "What matters most in life is not knowledge, but character" (235). In the end, all intellectual inquiry serves the moral make-up of man: "What we know is like a beginning, a rough sketch only; the man is the finished work" (235).
I enjoyed his take on writing with a pen: "My style, my pen, is the intellectual instrument which I use to express myself and to tell others what I understand of eternal truth" (201). For him, the pen is "an interior bent, a disposition of the living brain" (201).
One can easily think of the intellectual life as a sad, wearyng existence, full of deep (useless?) thought but devoid of relaxation and leisure. While Sertillanges does promote great earnestness in this vocation, he encourages play. "To work too long is to get worn-out; to stop too son is to fail in giving one's measure.... Know yourself, and proportion things accordingly" (246-247).
As an evangelical Christian, I disagree with his sacramental theology that comes out here and there. Also, he can overstate his case of the need for solitude. As per style, he can be difficult to wade through in certain sections while brilliant in others. (I will note that it was originally written in 1920 and in French.)
This is an intellectually stimulating book that has much good to offer us. Read and think.
Also, he wants to fight against intellectual sloth and therefore he presents the intellectual life as arduous: "A real thinker brings a very different spirit to his work; he is carried along by the instinct of a conqueror, by an urge, an enthusiasm, an inspiration, that are heroic" (126).
As for reading, Sertillanges warns against "inordinate reading" since the mind "is made gradually incapable of reflection and concentration" (147). He discourages reading daily newspapers: "defend yourself against them with the energy that the continuity and the indiscretion of their assault make indispensable" (149). In sum, he encourages the kind of reading that is an impetus for reflection. Books should inspire our own thinking and reading should awaken reflection (170, 190). "A book is a signal, a stimulant, a helper, an initiator—it is not the substitute and it is not a chain. Our thought must be what we ourselves are" (172).
Moreover, the intellectual life is not ivory-tower musing but ought to lead to a virtuous life. "What matters most in life is not knowledge, but character" (235). In the end, all intellectual inquiry serves the moral make-up of man: "What we know is like a beginning, a rough sketch only; the man is the finished work" (235).
I enjoyed his take on writing with a pen: "My style, my pen, is the intellectual instrument which I use to express myself and to tell others what I understand of eternal truth" (201). For him, the pen is "an interior bent, a disposition of the living brain" (201).
One can easily think of the intellectual life as a sad, wearyng existence, full of deep (useless?) thought but devoid of relaxation and leisure. While Sertillanges does promote great earnestness in this vocation, he encourages play. "To work too long is to get worn-out; to stop too son is to fail in giving one's measure.... Know yourself, and proportion things accordingly" (246-247).
As an evangelical Christian, I disagree with his sacramental theology that comes out here and there. Also, he can overstate his case of the need for solitude. As per style, he can be difficult to wade through in certain sections while brilliant in others. (I will note that it was originally written in 1920 and in French.)
This is an intellectually stimulating book that has much good to offer us. Read and think.
terrimpin's review
3.0
A treatise on cultivating intelligence and the proper habits of life and study in order to facilitate it. Sertillanges advocates for living a life of moderation and focus in order to hone in on the most important elements of study and apply them to one's daily life.
hildegard's review
5.0
This book came to me (relatively) late in life, but it could be argued that at a younger age, I may not have been ready for it.
Certainly there is much to be gleaned here, from advice on establishing habits to how to handle the doldrums or personal attacks to (for me) a very in-your-face reminder that work is to be free and in the context of a balanced life.
One of my favorite themes from the book is that to pursue an intellectual life is to serve truth. The way Sertillanges describes the relationship is somewhere between a deity/devotee and a king or queen/loyal knight. . .which, in a way, could be argued to be two ways of saying the same thing.
I made a point of stopping and writing reflectively at several points during my reading. I am extremely glad I did so, as I will have a quick way to return to ideas that would benefit from further contemplation.
Certainly there is much to be gleaned here, from advice on establishing habits to how to handle the doldrums or personal attacks to (for me) a very in-your-face reminder that work is to be free and in the context of a balanced life.
One of my favorite themes from the book is that to pursue an intellectual life is to serve truth. The way Sertillanges describes the relationship is somewhere between a deity/devotee and a king or queen/loyal knight. . .which, in a way, could be argued to be two ways of saying the same thing.
I made a point of stopping and writing reflectively at several points during my reading. I am extremely glad I did so, as I will have a quick way to return to ideas that would benefit from further contemplation.
bernieanderson's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot.
The author gives practical design for a thoughtful, deep, creative, intellectual life - through a theological lens, which I appreciate. The book is definitely dated and has some antiquated references around the roles of men and women that need to be overlooked. (This was written by a French theologian at the beginning of the twentieth century).
I resonate most with the author's integration of theology and life -- and in this case, science and intellectual pursuits. Truth is truth.
I love this quote:
Infinite Being and infinite duration enfold us, and our study is in very truth "a study of eternity."
The book is also very practical - and has entire chapters devoted to reading and note taking, which I found interesting.
I will be publishing my notes on this book over on my Substack (it's all free) if anyone is interested in subscribing. https://bernieanderson.substack.com
The author gives practical design for a thoughtful, deep, creative, intellectual life - through a theological lens, which I appreciate. The book is definitely dated and has some antiquated references around the roles of men and women that need to be overlooked. (This was written by a French theologian at the beginning of the twentieth century).
I resonate most with the author's integration of theology and life -- and in this case, science and intellectual pursuits. Truth is truth.
I love this quote:
Infinite Being and infinite duration enfold us, and our study is in very truth "a study of eternity."
The book is also very practical - and has entire chapters devoted to reading and note taking, which I found interesting.
I will be publishing my notes on this book over on my Substack (it's all free) if anyone is interested in subscribing. https://bernieanderson.substack.com
gabrielchagas's review against another edition
5.0
Organizado sob os 16 preceitos tomistas de estudo, e desenvolvido sob essa proposta, o autor francês entrega o conteúdo com ótima destreza. Discordo de algumas coisas, e acredito que outras estão desatualizadas por assim dizer, porém, para a época, para os conhecimentos que até então eram disponíveis, e levando em conta a crença do autor, o conhecimento apresentado é útil e é um excelente apanhado inicial de instruções para quem quer levar a vida de estudos à sério.