Human Destinies: Philosophical Essays in Memory of Gerald Hanratty

Introduction

introduction to his colleagues and many friends, the news of Gerald Hanratty’s unexpected death on 9 October 2003 came as a deeply personal shock. Gerry was a profound, simple, and uncomplicated person, universally held in fond regard; one never heard even the slightest negative comment about him—lamentably a rare tribute even among philosophers. there was nothing special or extraordinary about Gerald Hanratty’s life; in the manner of his living, devotion to learning, and dedication in the service of others, however, he was unique. Born in Co roscommon on 26 may 1941, where his father was a primary school teacher, Gerry attended Blackrock College, Dublin. in 1958 he entered Clonliffe, seminary of the Dublin Diocese, and also began his philosophical studies at university College Dublin. He graduated with an ma in 1962. He attended the Pontifical irish College in rome from 1962 to 1966, pursuing theological studies at the Pontifical lateran university. He received a BD in 1964 and an stl in 1966; in the same year he was ordained a priest for the Dublin Diocese . He moved to switzerland, in order to write his PhD under the direction of Professor norbert luyten at the university of Fribourg. in 1970 he completed his doctorate on the mind/body problem in anglo-saxon philosophy. 1 in 1968 Gerald Hanratty was appointed to the Department of metaphysics of university College Dublin; in 1976 he was promoted to College lecturer, and in 1997 to senior lecturer. Generations of philosophy students appreciated Gerry’s wisdom, openness, good humor, reflectiveness, and generosity. He was highly popular also with students of the Department of Psychology, to whom he provided service lectures in philosophical psychology. throughout university College Dublin, among academics and nonacademic staff, Gerry was a popular friend and colleague. in addition to working as an academic, he was chaplain for years to the Holy Family Home at roebuck, located beside the uCD campus. He was devoted to the residents, ministering to their spiritual needs and providing company, encouragement , and friendship. a most moving sight was the guard of honor formed by aging residents along the avenue as Gerry’s funeral cortege departed the grounds. Gerry loved philosophy and often read into the early hours of the morning, kindling and smoking his pipe in tranquil recollection. His was the proper attitude of the university person who took an interest in all aspects of culture; he was widely read in literature and history. He bore his learning lightly, however, and never sought to impress. His nonacademic interests were few and simple; for years he played soccer with the uCD staff club. all his life he was a passionate follower of Gaelic games; while visiting a famous church in Bavaria one sunday in early autumn, as a friend extolled the beauties of baroque architecture, he wondered aloud: “i wonder how roscommon are doing in Croke Park.” He looked forward to monthly meetings with priest friends from his student days. He enjoyed a cross-country run in the Phoenix Park and an occasional meal in a good italian restaurant. His brother seamus was also a great friend, and they dined together almost every evening. He made an annual trip to Paris, enjoying the musty atmosphere of a Parisian hotel whose elegance was a nostalgic relic of the trendy twenties. Gerry had a wonderful sense of humor—a profound sense of levity, one might even say. He loved to laugh at the apparent absurdities of life—and especially at philosophers who took themselves too seriously. He enjoyed life to the fullest and was permanently in good 2 Human Destinies introduction 3 humor. all of this stemmed from the grounded spirituality of someone who was deeply happy within himself, with his neighbors, and with God. the present volume is a tangible token of genuine affection from Gerry’s philosopher friends—colleagues, former students, and professors . the essays reflect Gerald Hanratty’s philosophical interests, dealing with central questions of the nature of human existence and ultimate meaning of the universe. Whether engaged in historical investigation into Gnosticism or the enlightenment, Gerry’s reflections were concerned with fundamental and final themes. His interests covered a wide range of topics and historical periods under the broad span of the philosophy of religion and philosophical anthropology. all of his writings and thinking were concerned with the search for the ultimate meaning of human beings and the world. He liked to quote...