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Summary
Andrew Chrucky’s essay, published in the APA Newsletter on Teaching Philosophy, is a critical and philosophical examination of the role of philosophy in denominational (particularly Catholic) colleges, focusing especially on hiring practices and the institutional expectations placed on philosophers.
Key Themes & Arguments
1. Philosophy as Theology’s Handmaid
- Chrucky explores the long-standing view that philosophy is subordinate to theology in religious institutions, quoting Pope Leo XIII’s Aeterni Patris, where philosophy is described as a “handmaid” to theology.
- He warns against the scorn of philosophy when it no longer serves to uphold theological dogma, hence the essay’s title.
2. Ambiguity in Hiring Language
- He critiques vague job advertisements (e.g., Notre Dame’s call for candidates “supportive of its religious affiliation”) as lacking clarity and enabling a hidden agenda.
- Chrucky shows that such wording allows for a wide array of interpretations—27 possibilities, by his count—which masks the true religious requirements for candidates.
3. Dogmas at Stake
- He identifies two types of dogmas religious institutions may want to preserve:
- Metaphysical/faith-based dogmas: belief in God, souls, salvation, papal infallibility, etc.
- Moral dogmas: traditional Catholic stances on sexuality, abortion, marriage, etc.
- Chrucky argues that religious hiring preferences may be more about upholding moral norms than theological doctrine.
4. Types of Candidates
- He constructs a typology of candidates based on:
- Religious belief (Catholic, non-Catholic Christian, non-Christian, naturalist)
- Philosophical behavior (argues for own views, willing to examine opposing views, etc.)
- His ideal candidate for a Catholic institution is a devout Catholic who argues vigorously for Catholic doctrine but still engages with opposing arguments.
- The worst candidate, pedagogically, is one who refuses to engage or critically examine differing perspectives.
5. Corruption and Consequences
- Chrucky highlights how philosophy can be degraded in denominational institutions:
- Faculty may hide their true beliefs for fear of losing jobs or promotions.
- Students perceive philosophy as irrelevant or trivial, leading to calls to eliminate it from curricula.
- He discusses an article by Fr. Orestes Coccia, who sees philosophy as obsolete because it no longer delivers theological truths.
- He critiques this as a misunderstanding of philosophy’s proper critical and rational role.
6. Geach and Dogmatic Logic
- Citing Peter Geach, Chrucky criticizes the notion that philosophical reasoning must serve dogma—i.e., if a conclusion contradicts Catholic doctrine, it must be invalid.
- He likens this to dogma-as-queen and philosophy-as-handmaid, with the handmaid punished if she disagrees.
7. Legal vs. Moral Concerns
- Chrucky acknowledges that religious hiring preferences are legal in the U.S. (Title VII exemptions).
- However, he raises three moral objections:
- Forced allegiance to dogma stifles intellectual freedom and critical inquiry.
- It breeds hypocrisy by requiring philosophers to pretend impartiality.
- It degrades philosophy by subordinating it to non-rational constraints.
Evaluation
Strengths
- Clarity and Structure: Chrucky lays out his case methodically, using examples, typologies, and critical reasoning.
- Balance of Analysis and Critique: He makes room for legal realities but insists on the need for philosophical integrity.
- Insightful Criticism: His dissection of vague language in job ads is particularly sharp, exposing how institutions might veil dogmatic gatekeeping behind neutral phrasing.
Philosophical Merit
- Chrucky upholds a vision of philosophy as a discipline of critical inquiry that must be free to question even sacred dogmas.
- He aligns with a tradition of thinkers (e.g., Kant, Rorty, Blanshard) who challenge the instrumentalization of philosophy.
- His argument echoes Enlightenment ideals: reason must be autonomous, not constrained by theological decree.
Potential Weaknesses
- Tone and Bias: Some religious readers may find Chrucky’s tone too confrontational or dismissive of the internal diversity within Catholicism (though he anticipates and responds to this).
- Idealism vs. Institutional Reality: Chrucky argues from a high ideal of philosophy’s independence, which may not be entirely realistic in institutions founded with religious missions.
- Neglect of Religious Pedagogy: He doesn’t deeply engage with arguments that philosophy should serve a religious tradition for educational or spiritual reasons, beyond critiquing the logic of such a stance.
Contemporary Relevance
- The essay remains relevant today in debates about academic freedom, religious liberty, faculty diversity, and the mission of higher education institutions.
- The tension between critical inquiry and doctrinal preservation persists in many religious colleges and universities.
Conclusion
Chrucky’s “Beware of the Handmaid Scorned” is a rigorous, philosophically grounded defense of academic integrity and the independence of philosophy. He challenges denominational institutions to be transparent about their expectations and warns against the moral and intellectual dangers of subjugating philosophy to theological or ideological dogmas. While his critique may ruffle some feathers in religious academia, it raises enduring questions about truth, inquiry, and the proper role of philosophy in education.Attach
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