Studia Gilsoniana (Mar 2017)
Heather M. Erb, The Path of Spiritual Happiness
Abstract
One of the most famous political documents, The Declaration of Independence, claims that our Creator has created everyone with the right to the pursuit of happiness. When asked about what they think the happiness actually is that one has a right to pursue, many students respond in a relativist manner, claiming that it is different for everyone, or rather, it is what each determines it to be. It can be difficult to get students to entertain the possibility that there might be an objective understanding of happiness that everyone is called to achieve. That is why I am glad Professor Heather Erb has written this excellent book. In the introduction we discover that her motivation for this book is the unfortunate state of affairs where there appears to be an emphasis on the pursuit of ephemeral desires and too little desire for truth and wonderment about reality. One is reminded of the infamous Rolling Stones, who tell us we can’t get our satisfaction no matter how hard we try. The author makes the case that only in the two sources of reason and revelation, as transmitted by Christian philosophy and theology, is a reflective and authentic spiritual happiness to be found.
