Chapter I
Introduction
Reasoning is a part and parcel of being a human, so we always tend to use it, every now and then, to justify, to answer questions, to clarify thought and in rationalizing ideas that comes to mind, experiences and result of existence. Thus it is a ways to satisfy our craving in seeking to what is the reality and specially the search for truth and wisdom, that we are trying to understand in this world. Reasoning is a great tool in knowing and exploring out the world and especially in finding our purpose and meaning of our existence and the tool in knowing the truth and identifying errors, half-truths and refuting them. But let us not forget the limitations that the mind has. That there are things in this world that we could not really grasp or even imagine with our own capacity in thinking. Simply implying that human mind is finite and has its own limitation and capacity, there will come apart that we cannot completely comprehend with the use reason alone. There comes Obscurity and vagueness in our mind in what have been discovered, saw, explore and etc in this world. Even exhausting the resources of all human sciences, it cannot really grasp the totality of it, for no human science cannot be perfect and exact all the time in the realms of the nature of truth. For there are things that our mind cannot really comprehend and beyond its capacity.
Reasoning by the use of the heart is truly needed and a new way, in a sense that it is not commonly used than human sciences in reaching the infinite wisdom. A wisdom or a knowledge so to speak, that is incomprehensible by the human level of reasoning. For sometimes believing is the best approach that you can do. But not it a sense of believing blindly; rather, not neglecting the use of mind. For the Heart is not only a mere intuition or expression of the human person that is opposing towards the logical reasoning of man. “A manifestation the mind and the act of the heart is an act of productive Knowledge. Certain objects only become given in the act of the heart. But they do not remain there in a rational intuition, but are accessible to intellectual and rational penetration.” ( Guardini, 1966). It is in vain to understand everything with the use of reason alone.
The maxim of Pascal of accepting the reality of the limitation of the mind and the use of the heart is an idea that is somewhat obscure to the understanding of people. Specially people, who are exposed in the discovery of lot of the human sciences that is in our world.
In this study the researcher aims in making a vivid exposition of what really is this heart and its uniqueness. Making an attempt in penetrating the reason behind why Pascal said that “heart has its own reason that reason cannot understand and how can it be possible in making a connection with it in the Formation of the candidates for Priesthood.
Statement of the Problem
The purpose of the study is to see what really is the “ heart's reason” and linking it towards the formation in the seminary. Thus enabling us to see how these kind of reasoning be connected in the formation of the candidates for Priesthood. It to answer the following questions.
1.Who is Blaise Pascal and what is his Philosophical thought?
2.What is the reasoning of the heart (Pascal's Reason)?
3.What is the paradox between reason and Pascal's reason?
4.What is the Seminary Formation
5.How can Pascal's reason can be link in the seminary formation?
Significance of the Study
This study aims at providing an idea of what really is the characteristic and differentiation of reason (mind) and heart's reason (faith), in the primary view of Blaise Pascal way. Using the heart as an other way in what should be known, consequently in searching the truth not only in the use of reason or the mind. But also by the heart to offer a ground in understanding its uniqueness and in discovering the truths, thus deriving to an idea to see its aid in search for the truth.
Its specific relevance may be to the people who seeks for the reality and truth, that resolves to explore beyond the capacity of the natural level of the human reason. To see the insufficiency of the pool of knowledge that we have, thus being reminded to search for another ways of find out the truth without neglecting or throwing up the ways. But improve it with the aid of other tools such as the “heart.” In the context of “Seminary Formation,” the findings may be a great help and tool towards the enhancement of the formation of the candidate towards Priesthood. For they are formed not only with the use of mind and and other aspect of formation, but with the use of the heart. Also to let them realized the limitations and shortcomings of the mind. Thus it is significant in the sense that it will help seminarians in their formation, not only in the intellectual aspect but in over-all. For they are not only depending with the use of mind, but also they listens to what our hearts trying to tell us. Seminarians maybe guided in how to check the reality and in how to determine the limitations that our mind has.
Formation is a lifelong process and not all the time mind in the best choice, therefore it signifies also not taking it for granted the heart. To be formed with an “equal size” of the heart and mind.
Scope and Delimitation
Knowing the difference between the heart and the mind or the reason and faith through the reason that is presented by Blaise Pascal, and linking it towards the formation of the candidates for Priesthood or the Seminary Formation. This study concentrates towards the understanding of what really is the heart's reason and connecting the Seminary Formation and Pascal's Reason that indicates the “reasoning of the heart,” that the reason cannot really grasp.
Seeing the connection of the heart's reason, rationalizing in the sense of using the natural level, and going to the next level of it, that is going beyond the natural level of knowledge with the aid of heart's reasoning. Reasoning and knowing its limitation, and linking it towards seminary formation. Delimiting the study in the presentation of Blasie Pascal and limiting its concepts and ideas in connecting it towards the seminary formation.
Definition of Terms
“Alter Christus”- it is a Latin word that defines as “another Christ,” which represented by the Priest as the another Christ who would be the bearer of light and the bearer of Good News of Salvation and the workers in the vineyard of God as the Pastors and ministers of God in the world.
Faith – it is a belief towards a something and being convicted with the truth, but in the extent of the use of the voluntary act of the will.
Formator – it is a technical word used inside the seminary; as the representation of the people that help forms the candidates for Priesthood. They could be (the Priest, teachers, Bishops, and etc..,).
Heart - is conceived as the center of the human personality. The heart includes thoughts, feelings and will and represents the whole personality in its inmost being. It integrates every energy of a man in the service of a cause to which he owes allegiance. (Roberts).
Heart's Reason – it is the reasoning that is beyond the capacity of the natural level thus the use of the heart is acted going beyond rational level and use the faith in grasping the knowledge and in analysis in it.
Mind – it is human consciousness that originates in the brain and is manifested especially in thought, perception, emotion, will, memory, and imagination.
Pascal's Wager – it is an argument for the rationality of believing in God, assuming that no satisfactory evidences in available, Pascal argues that the expected value of theistic belief is vastly greater than that of unbelief since if one believes, and commit oneself to a life of faith in God etc.., and it turns out to be true, the one wins an enormous good(heaven). But if one believes and it turns out to be false then one has lost a little, if anything therefor ( unless the probability of God's existence is infinite).
Rational Knowledge - entails ideas, facts and knowledge that comes to the natural level of thinking, that reason alone could suffice and could grasp. Making some inferences and discovering and knowing something in the level that is not beyond the capacity of the human mind.
Reason - is a discursive thought of the mind naturally that connects ideas consciously, coherently and purposively. ( Runes).
Seminary – ( The Latin word seminarium comes from semen) a place or a seed bed for the seed of vocation to grow and to be nurtured in the precepts of the Church. “it is an educational institution for the formation of the Priest to train young men as one community living together with the common motive and goal of developing their own vocation in assuming God's call to live wholly and entirely in the likeness of Christ, high and eternal Priest.” ( Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis, 1990).
Seminary Formation - A structure that is purposely created by the Church for the sole aim of forming young men towards priesthood,
Supra-Rational Knowledge - it is beyond the natural level that reason could not fully grasp, but with the use of the reasoning of the heart, it is a knowledge that is not only rooted in the rational level and thus exceeds toward the another realms of the knowledge that is beyond the physical aspect and beyond the capacity of the mind.
Vocation – it comes from a Latin word “ Vocare” which means to “to call.” it is technically used as a call of God towards the Holiness and in following his precepts. In this study it is technically used as a Priestly call, and a call towards a venture in the seminary formation gong to Priesthood.
Wager - it is used by Blaise Pascal in his famous exposition, to see whether God exist or not, hence it is a person that is a gambler who will risk to bet on; whether in Choosing God is or not and without the use of the reason. Where it is the Primary person who represents the idea of Pascal in proving God's existence.
Methodology
The Library Method research was used in this study. The Library method of research is a fact finding study that focuses in garnering interpretations and finding through the books and other reading materials. It describes what is, the study all about. It describes with emphasis in what actually the mind and norms of certain person and institution through the books, with emphasis through their writings, such as rules, exposition and concepts. Since the study or investigation was concerned in knowing Pascal's reason and linking it in the context of Seminary Formation. Library method was the most suitable method to be use in this study.
Chapter II
Blaise Pascal and his Philosophical
A. Biography
Blaise Pascal (1623-62) French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher. A mathematical prodigy, Pascal published his discoveries on the theory of conic sections at the age of sixteen. He invented the first practicable calculating machine, in 1642, while his experimental and mathematical work on the barometer affords a model of mid-17th-century science and methodology. His celebrated correspondence with Pierre Fermat laid the basis of the modern theory of probability. Pascal's family were associated with the Jansenists of Port-Royal where his sister was a nun. After a profound religious experience in 1654, Pascal turned to philosophy and theology. His Lettres provinciales are a defense of Arnalaud against his Jesuit opponents, but in spite of his efforts the two Port-Royal convents were closed in 1661. De l'esprit géométrique contains Pascal's scientific and methodological philosophy, while the Pensées (1670) are an acknowledged classic of devotional literature. Both were published posthumously, and the latter, existing only in fragments, not given a definitive edition until 1952. Because of his prevailing scepticism, coupled, however, with a deep faith, Pascal has been compared to Kierkegaard as a leading example of religious conviction based on existential commitment and faith rather than on reason. Like Berkley, Pascal had a deep concern for the poor, and founded the first ever public bus service, whose profit she gave to charity. http://www.answers.com/topic/blaise-pascal
B. Philosophical Thought
PASCAL'S WAGER
Pascal wager is a composition of Blaise Pascal in the vulgar belief of God's existence thus, he uses the wager,a gambler to represent his idea on how to prove the true existence of God and that God is a reality. Pascal's Wager, of course, depends on their only two choices - no god, or there is God. So it manifest the choice of the bet of a wager whether to go with there is a God to get a great reward, if there is and looses a little or even nothing if God does not exist. Also to go with there is no God, and if the wager is wrong, he must suffer the consequence of hell and eternal punishment and condemnation. “Pascal's Wager is an argument for the rationality of believing in God, assuming that no satisfactory evidences in available. Pascal argues that the expected value of theistic belief is vastly greater that that of unbelief, since if one believes, and commits oneself to a life of faith in God etc.., and it turns out to be true, the one wins an enormous good (hearven). But if one believes and it turns to be false then one has lost a little, if anything. Therefore (unless the probability of God's existence is infinite, it is rational to adopt theistic belief. ( Honderich).
The existence of God is presented through an argumentative type of exposition known as the Pascal's Wager “The Wager”. The key whether we believe in it or not is up to us, but it is somehow created and being consider as an example not as only a rationale for mere deception but as a reason for getting ourselves to believe genuinely. Such classical example which is used by Pascal to profess his faith to God. Which can be found in his “ Posthusmous Pensées [ thoughts].
In the Pascal's Wager, he told that;
“ We know that the infinite exists without knowing its nature, just as we know that it is untrue that numbers are finite. Thus it is true that there is an infinite number, but we do not know what it is. It is untrue that it is even, untrue it is odd, for by adding a unit it does not change its nature. Yet it is number, and every number is even or odd. ( it is true that this applies to every finite number.)
Is there no substantial truth, seeing that there are so many things which are not truth itself?
Thus we know the existence and nature of the finite because we too are finite and extended in space.
We know the existence of the infinite without knowing its nature, because it too has extension but unlike us no limit.
But we do not know either the existence or the nature of God, because he has neither extension nor limits. But by faith we know his existence, through glory we shall know his nature.” ( Pensées,Series II, WAGER, 418).
Thus, Pascal proves that the real existence of the infinite is possible. Such as there is a number that is infinite and as a consequence of being a eternal, we could not really grasp the infinite. Thus we cannot really grasp the infinite by the use of our reason alone or rational knowledge is finite and limited in its sources and it is unbearable for the reason to grasp what he cannot really totally grasp. It is in vain for reason to do it alone, but by faith we could know the existence of the infinite.
In the light of natural, if God exist, he is infinite and beyond our comprehension, thus we could not have or bear any relation to us, finite being. Thus we could conclude that we are incapable of knowing the infinite. So we could not really grasp the nature and being of the infinite which is God, but by his aid and by the use of faith we could really know and can grasp the revelation that God has given, in order for us to grasp the reality and the true nature of the infinite which is God.
So Pascal asked the wager, a gambler, to see either “ God is or he is not,” telling that “ reason cannot make you choose either; reason cannot prove either wrong,” in other words reason is nothing to do with proving it, for it cannot be used in the decision, such as in a gamble, it is a matter of choice and a matter of luck.
Giving the wager, a weighing up of the gain and the loss involve in God's existence. “ if you win you win everything, if you lose you lose nothing.” giving the wager an idea of the bet. In the other context Pascal telling the wager, if you believed in God you can win a lot and that is eternal happiness if it is true and you bet correctly in the game. But if it is not true and you lose in the game, that God exist, truly if God dos not exist you lose nothing.” if you are the wager you would choose to go with the side which you could have an advantage and where you see the bet of choosing the best. Which is choosing “God is.” and in this side you do not risk a lot in your bet.
Pascal introduces this point by an appeal to reason to believe, which leads some critics to claim his argument here, like the rest of the wager, is based on reasonable belief. They argue that since he begins with the assumption that the wager is valid and concludes that inability to believe is therefore irrational, the argument that one cannot consciously choose to believe still stands. God exists and punishes or rewards according to one's belief, or a God does not exist is the choice to be made. Making the wager to choose and to bet in the reality of God, thus the use is reason is somehow a vague in tool in comprehending God, but it is by the heart. “The heart has its own reasons of which the reason knows nothing: it is the heart which perceives God and not the reason. That is what faith is: God perceived by the heart, not by the reason. ( Pensées,Series II, WAGER, 423;424).
Chapter III
The Reasoning of the Heart
The heart is created as the center of the person. Where it represents the whole personality of man. “ The heart is conceived as the center of the human personality. The heart includes thoughts, feelings and will and represents the whole personality in its inmost being. It integrates every energy of a man in the service of a cause to which he owes allegiance, reason cannot command our complete loyalty and thus ultimate things are known by the heart.” (Roberts,31) It is not just an organ that pumps blood, that causes the circulation of the blood in all the system of the body, but the heart is the center of the person, that conceives being a person or a human being .the centrality of the human personality can be found in the heart and not anything else towards the person.
Therefore it is telling us that the heart has its own way of knowing that truth and its own way of reasoning. As Pascal says that “ the heart is the mind, that can set man to contemplation,” thus giving into the clarity of the precision of judgment to see things by the use of the heart. Not only in the mind that we can perceive clearly For the “heart is the organ of love.” implying to the relationships of the center of man's desire and feelings to the ideas, that act as a productive knowledge, for some certain objects only become given in the act of the heart. The reasoning of the heart is a tool in knowing the truth. As we know that reason alone cannot suffice the vast scope of truth and the wisdom. So “we know the truth, not only by reason but also by the heart, it is by this latter kind of knowledge that first principles are known and it is in vain that reason tries to understand them.” (Roberts, 66)
In this sense the word “reason” has a double sense, when Pascal said that “ the heart has its own reason that reason cannot understand.” according to Tillch. Calling it the structure of aesthetic and communal experience ( beauty and Love); where reason could not really grasp. Thus summing up to Pascal's distinction between Rational and Supra-Rational knowledge. That will lead to the truth the man ever seek.
Rational knowledge entails ideas, facts and knowledge that comes to the natural level of thinking, that reason alone could suffice and could grasp. The Supra-Rational Knowledge that is beyond the natural level that reason could not fully grasp, but with the use of the reasoning of the heart it could. By the use of faith the supra-rational knowledge can be attain guided by the use of the reasoning of man. For it entails the knowledge that is beyond the natural level that reason cannot suffice in answering and rationalizing the mysteries that is there. Not following the heart blindly, blinded faith, but first and fur most is the recognition of the value of rational evidences , thus trying to gather some ideas, evidences that could help the initiation of the faith. Secondly is admitting the insufficiency of man, leading to the reconciliation to God, as the source of wisdom and faith. For in sufficiency of man's mind can open up humility and faith towards something that they could not really understand and ask the heart to reason out in order to see what is the real rationale to a thing, finding solution with the use of Faith and Reason.
For thus it implies that we move around an object and secondly we enter into it, according to Bergson. So it gives us an idea that God as a supra-rational being , God cannot be felt by reason alone, for according to Pascal “ it is the heart that feels God, not reason. That is what faith is. God felt by the heart and not by reason alone.
Commonly we perceive the heart only as the organ that pumps and manipulates the circulation of the blood, specially in the science and physiology. But more than that we also know that the heart is the center of the personality of the person. It is where our overall characteristic is categorized. When we are talking of the heart, we can easily perceive it as the centrality of the body, person, and being. When we are asked where is the center of our body we could easily perceive and answer the heart.
Regards of this the heart has perceive having its own way of rationalizing the ideas that is perceived in the way that human beings can. Especially in the matters that the reason of the mind cannot truly have and proper insight or having an ambiguous thought about something. Such as the proving of God's existence that the mind cannot really grasp because it is beyond its capacity, for it is infinite. The heart even though it is not infinite, it has a tool in making a decision or presumption, it is based in the use of the faith, not only a mere blinded faith but a faith that withheld the use of reason.
Chapter IV
Paradox of Pascal's Reasoning and Reasoning (MIND).
It is typical understanding of man about reasoning is with the use of mind. Thus it is a function of the brain to reason out with the use of the mind. Reasoning is a discursive thought of the mind naturally that connects ideas consciously, coherently and purposively. ( Runes). Thus by reasoning we can attain truths based in the ideas and evidences upon our hands. It is by the use of sciences and scientific approaches, where evidences, thoughts, concepts and ideas are grasp through the use of our natural gift of knowing through the mind. Rationalizing with the use of mind and reasoning with the aid given by the rational knowledge.
In the discourse of Sir. Blaise Pascal, he discovered that “ rational knowledge is limited.” Realizing that there are truths that rational knowledge cannot really grasp. That no human science can be perfect and that “the human mind is finite and unable to comprehend the infinite and eternal.” (Roberts, 13). Reasoning by the use of mind is not all the time enough in order to seek and know the truth and in the pursue of wisdom. For the knowledge of man is not perfect and obscurity occurs in it, so errors and mistake are inevitable actions of man's reasoning with the use of mind. As Pascal discovered and realized that “ No human science can be exact and that the human mind is finite and unable to comprehend to infinite and the eternal.” Thus it may be seen in the occurrence of search of man to what is the real truth. Therefore it is “necessary, to know how to doubt where necessary, affirm where necessary, submit where necessary, anyone who does not act thus does not understand the strength of reason (Pascal). But let us be aware to see some “fail relation” to there principles of Pascal, by either affirming all because of the lack of knowledge, submitting ourselves in everything because of the lack of knowledge, No! this is not. He tries to tell us that we must not forget the use of the reasoning of the mind. And as Pascal discussed about the existence and belief in God in his thoughts, thus “true Christianity consist in the submission and use of reason according to him.
Realizing the relationship of man to God is the basis of genuine knowledge. Thus seeing the futility of mere intellectual proofs for the existence of God. Knowing that God exist is by the feeling the heart. Thus it is not a mere faith that is blind in the sense of believing without any attempts or action of using the reasoning of the mind or the rational knowledge, but a faith guided by the light of reason going towards the truth that is unattainable by reason alone, for reason alone cannot suffice the vast scope of the ocean of truth.
The fact is that knowing the truth is not only by reason alone, but also by the heart, for “it is by this latter kind of knowledge that first principles are know and it is in vain that reason tries to understand them.” in order to attain the truth, we must regard that reason is finite and not all the time reason alone can suffice the mystery of life and truth.
We can all say that heart and mind are important part of man's way in attaining and searching for the truth and a way of rationalizing. Mind is used commonly by people in the whole wide world to see and to attain facts and some truth by perceiving the things in it. A knowledge that is attainable with the use of reason alone that is not beyond the natural realms of the mind. The heart is the other way of finding the truth and ideas, but not in the use of natural sense at all but by the use of the faith, not driven by a blind sight to believe, but a heart guided by reason; a faith driven by reason. We can find connection about these two by first accepting that there is beyond the capacity of the human reason, that reason alone cannot attain the reality of this world and cannot fathom the wholeness of it. For “the order of the mind and adds with the compressive clause at the end, the order of the heart as if it were supplemented to the working of human reason.” (Nelson,52). Secondly Faith is needed to go beyond the capacity of human reason, but not neglecting the reason but using it as a stepping stone to help attain the part of the infinite. As Pope John Paul II says “ Faith and Reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of the truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth--- in a word, to know himself--- so that, by knowing and loving God, men and women may also come to the fullness of truth about themselves.” They have a paradox in a sense that there comes a time that the mind cannot really understand the heart's action, but the mind supplements the heart in order to act to the faith with reason as a stepping stone of it. Thus working together in order to attain the aimed truths and ideas that is not limited in the realms of the nature of man's mind.
Chapter V
The Seminary Formation
History
The Council of Trent (1545–1563) required the creation of diocesan seminaries with the canon Cum Adolescentium Aetas, adopted during the council's twenty-third session in 1563. It became compulsory for every diocese to erect a seminary for the purpose of educating the local clergy. Young men were prepared for priesthood. In its original design, the Tridentine seminary legislation was influenced by three factors. First, petitions coming from Italy, France, and the Holy Roman Empire had highlighted abuses in the education of the clergy, and had proposed either the reformation of cathedral schools or the erection of special schools attached to cathedral churches. Second, the Society of Jesus insisted on the necessity of providing adequate means for clerical education, and had already pursued this aim in founding and running college Seminary Formation, including the famous Germanicum, founded in Rome by the Jesuit Claude Le Jay in 1552. Finally, the synod legislation, promulgated for England by Cardinal Reginald Pole (1500–1558) in his Reformatio Angliae (1556), was taken as a model. Pole's solution was to cure the carelessness of the clergy by erecting seminaries at every cathedral church. This directly inspired the fathers of the council in their writing of the Tridentine decree. ( http://www.answers.com/topic/seminary).
A structure that is purposely created by the Church for the sole aim of forming young men towards priesthood, that is Seminary Formation. “The seminary has been instituted by the Church for sole purpose of training and leading young men towards the priesthood. This is what profoundly differentiates the seminary from any other educational institutions: it is a community united by one common motive, the vocation; in pursuit of one common goal; gristly formation.”( rule of life; 2006, 1).
Seminary is not just a mere school that is exclusive for boys, but it is an institution that aims to produce ministers by the Church, that is formed in the “ will and the heart of the Church,” being competent to minister to God's holy people in the local Church they are called to serve” ( Philippine Program of Priestly Formation; 2006, no.22). It is an institution having one common goal, to produce a priest, thus the seminary is called as “seminary ( The Latin word seminarium comes from semen) a place or a seed bed for the seed of vocation to grow and to be nurtured in the precepts of the Church.
A seminary therefore is a house of prayer, a house of study, a house of Discipline and a house of service; wherein young lads are trained to be Good and Holy Priest in the future. The Four houses mentioned are based in the structure of the seminary formation at the Saint Francis Xavier College Seminary. They are the main structure of the formation that deals to mold candidates for priesthood towards its goal, being an “ Alter Christus” that will continue his mission in this world.
A. House of Prayer- Spiritual Formation
Spiritual formation of a candidate for being a priest, is an important part of his formation. It is where they are formed to have a relationship towards God ad a bearer of Him. Hence as (the rule of life; 2006, 7) emphasizes that “ the chapel ought to remind the residents that the core of seminary formation which is the spiritual formation and growth of everyone aspiring to follow Christ, the Priest.” the Chapel as a place of spiritual practices in the seminary is a house of Prayer for the residents especially to the candidate for priesthood. Where it is a holy place where the community assembles in praising and listening to the voice of God.
A necessary training in prayer is needed by every seminarian, also learning the faith heartily, such as the CCC, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the bible, the liturgy, the sacraments and other teachings of the Church. Thus the seminarians are trained to grow into “ a man of familiarity with God, homo familiatiatis cum Deo,” ( the 2006, Philippine Program of Priestly Formation, no.19), making a bond of friendship with God, through prayers, meditations and especially the Holy Eucharist. Increasing faith and knowing God deeply than before in order to give Christ to others in the Future.
These are occasions of the candidate to discern and personally converse with God, not Physically but with the use of the heart. A heart to heart talk with God, as Blaise Pascal says that “ it is the heart that feels God, nit reason. That is what faith is: God felt by the heart, not by reason.
B. House of Study – Intellectual Formation
Intellectual aspect of a candidate for Priesthood is also an essential part in his formation. For this will be one of his tools in spreading the Good news and a tool in making people understand the messages that God has revealed to the Church and to his people. For the purpose of being trained to be critical minded persons in order to grow with the truth.
“ by means of structural help. Every seminarian is expected to develop and refine his intellectual ability and acquire those dispositions and habits which will make him an intellectually mature person. ( rule of life; 2006, 10).”
Seminarians are trained intellectually, in order to be a man if truth. To attain correct understanding towards things and to be logical in spreading the Good News. That is why intellectual formation is a “crucial stage, specially in the study of Philosophy.( rule of life; 2006, 10).” for through Philosophical training, seminarians are challenged to seek for the truth wherever it may be. As Pope John Paul II clarifies the essential and importance of training and ask “ if we are not certain about the truth, how can we have the strength to challenge other's way of living?' ( Pastores Dabo Vobis no.52).
Intellectual Formation is really an important part of a candidate for priesthood to form them, for it gives seminarians the logical path in knowing what is the truth and in order to follow God and the Church not only by mere faith, but a heart guided by the mind. A faith Guided by reason. For if candidates cannot clarify in himself the things needed to be clarify in the formation, especially in the aspect of intellectual formation, how could he spread the good news with clarity and how could he encourage the faithful to follow the faith is he himself cannot explain or clarify the faith for the purpose of his understanding, thus intellectual formation is a relevant part of the seminary formation.
C. House of Discipline – Character/ human Formation
Modeled in Christ's authentic humanity, the seminarians must learn to be responsible in work and truthful in word. Respect, justice, understanding and compassion characterize his relationship as grown in affective maturity. ( Philippine Program if Priestly Formation, 2006, no.18).
Thus human aspect of a candidate of being a Priest, is an important part of his formation. Making him a human, cultured and refined individual that is suited for this future ministry as a bearer of Christ message of salvation. “ The whole work of Priestly formation would be deprived of its necessary foundation if it lacked a suitable human formation.” ( Pastores Dabo Vobis no. 43). There should be human maturity attained, for the candidates to stand and to respect well the ministry of Christ, to the faithful. To be a discipline person following Christ as his disciple.
“ The seminarian submit himself to a necessary discipline, as required in all community life, but not only for this reason- for he knows very well that discipline will lead him to acquire self-control, to be master of his emotions, to make well considered decisions and thereby manifest the maturity of his personality. These are all the virtues which are highly valued on any Christian, but w/c are necessary for the priestly formation, for a spiritual leader of man... these are the goal and purposes implied in the seminary training... these are the virtues which the holy Church, through the activities of her priest, and teachers on the faculty, strive to inculcate in her seminarians.” ( Homily of Bp. Thibault PME, 1971, rule of life; 2006, 11).”
Being a disciplined person signifies a person having a strong character, that is needed in becoming a priest in the making. Being models in Christ humanity which also signifies being a good, holy persons. That is inclined towards the teachings of the Church. Being a spiritual leader someday, discipline is a tool to manifest sincerity and maturity in order for the flock to follow you, you must be also be a good example to them.
D. House of Service – Pastoral/ Apostolic Formation
As a unique institution that is having a one goal to produce Priest that is in the “heart and the Mind of the Church,” the seminarians are also trained in the aspect of the service. The seminary is not just a mere school that is exclusive for boys and aims only for educational purposes but is it a place for priestly formation. For everything that the candidate that have learned in his seminary formation, his trainings, intellectual formation, spiritual formation discipline, could be seen and acted upon their action towards service others. Thus these aspect of formation is like a manifestation of what seminarians have learned in his formation.
Pastoral is tantamount of the summit of the seminary formation, thus it is given an emphasis to see and experience to be exposed in the field, but it is only a foretaste of the task waiting for the seminarian when he become a Priest. As it is emphasize in the Philippine Program for Priestly Formation nos. 257-258, that “ shepherding is not yet a realistic goal, much less its primary goal,” but it emphasizes the self-discovery of the seminarian. In order for him to grow specially a heart to serve his fellow, as what he will be doing in the future when he become a Priest.
As it is emphasize in the Philippine Program for Priestly Formation nos.257-258 & in the Rule of Life 2006, “that shepherding is not yet a realistic goal; much less its primary goal, but it emphasizes self-discovery of the seminarian, and seeing the reality of life outside the realms of the seminary. In order for him to grow specially a heart to serve his fellow, as what he will be doing in the future when he become a Priest.” The exposure of the seminarians are more in seeing the reality and discovering once characteristic in order to have an improvement about himself,especially in forming oneself as a servant-leader in the future as a Priest.
Summary / Analysis
The call of the seminarian is nurtured inside the seminary. Trained in the heart and the mind of the Church, forming him towards priesthood, where “there are three indispensable agents of formation: the candidate, the formators and the Holy Spirit ( Rule of life; 2009,5). the candidate to submit himself to the formation, to manifest willingness to be formed and a manifestation of inner formation, through the seminary structure and formation. The Formators are the persons, who will guide and form the candidates. They are the sensible persons to help seminarians to attain their goal. The Holy Spirit, who will help the candidate to discern and transforming him gradually according to His will and making him Alter Christus in the end. “ And so the seminarian... must grow in his awareness that the agent par excellence of his formation is the Holy Spirit, who by the gift of a new heart, configures and conforms him to Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. ( Pastores Davo Vobis no.69).” Thus listening to the voice of God through the heart, and having faith and trust in the Holy Spirit in guiding seminarian in his seminary formation, “ until Christ be formed in you. Galatians 4:19.” Gradually being conformed as a representative of Christ.
The Seminary Formation is an all in one formation and transformation of a candidate for Priesthood. Not only being formed intellectually, in order to defend and give the reasons about the belief which we hold. Not lonely being formed to have a discipline, for the people to follow and be a model like Christ. Not only being trained to be in service with the people and specially not only being trained to pray and communicate with God and having the power and opportunity and gift in turning bread and wine into the body of blood of Christ. But it is instituted by the Church to have a well-rounded personality person, having an intellectual capacity, disciplined, a servant-leader and specially a person committed to God. A person having these formation induced into one to be an effective minister. Having a heart resonated with the mind, a faith that is aided by reason, in order to have an equilibrium in seeing the truth and spreading the good news of God.
CHAPTER VI
Summary / Analysis
The main problem in this paper is the question regarding Pascal's reasoning and linking it towards Seminary Formation. It is asked for an explanation and clarification about this kind of reasoning. Enabling to explain the vivid identity and definition of the heart's reason and of the mind. Seeing their capacities, their limitation and advantages, furthermore making a link towards the context of seminary formation.
Blaise Pascal, a famous Philosopher and a mathematician, realized the necessity in understanding the heart and its way of reasoning. One of his well know and renowned exposition it “the Wager” that can be found at his Pensées, emphasizes this use of the heart's reasoning. This regards the method of seeing no reason at all that can sustain and faith is the only way to know. It enterprises and exposes that human reasoning is limited and that we cannot really grasp the infinite with the use of reason in the natural level alone. Such as in proving God's existence with the use of heart's reason.
The reasoning of the heart is a way towards the truth. Heart is the center of once person, that represents the whole personality of man. Perceiving and rationalizing in an unique way, that something or all the time the reason cannot understand. Even though the heart is not an infinite being, but it could closely be near to the truth, basing its rationale not only in the natural level of reason, but through faith. A heart that is faithful, holding its reason beyond reason. The heart can set man to contemplation to deepen its understanding and judge vividly the truth and see things clearly by the use of the heart.
Mind and heart in the tool of reasoning are commonly perceived paradoxical. In the sense that reasoning cannot understand the heart's way of reasoning. The mind's reasoning has the ground in the natural level of attainment of knowledge. Rooted in the human sciences. Heart's reasoning has the ground that is beyond the natural level of the attainment of man's knowledge. Using not just only the reasoning but reasoning with a heart that is reasoning. They should not be perceived as contraries, but see them as tools in finding truth working together I their own perspective in attainment of the truth.
Seminary formation is purposely created by the Church to form young men towards priesthood in accordance with “the will of the heart and the mind of the Church”. Forming the young men to be competent ministers of the Church. Good, and holy priest of Christ. Being formed with discipline, good intellect, faith in God and a hand for service. Rendering fitting service and adoration to the people of God with faith and reason. As the candidate tries to hear the calling of God and gradually being formed in the seminary. They use their hearts to feel and discern God's calling for it is the heart that can feel God. Calling into a communal experience, where reason could not really understand. A mysterious calling and a mysterious formation that gradually forms the candidate in the will of God, through listening to the Holy Spirit, “the par excellence.” reasoning and contemplating with the use of heart, for heart's reason in the connection to the seminary formation is a matter of using once heart in following God's call, and listening to the words of God, that sometimes cannot be understand by reason alone, but also by the heart. Using the heart to reason out, even though reason can't grasp it.
Chapter VII
Conclusion and Recommendation
We have seen in this study that Blaise Pascal's Philosophy focuses in the use of heart's reasoning. His reasoning is a unique ways of finding and reaching the truth. It is an internal contemplation in listening to it. We have experienced this kind of reasoning in an instance in our life, that somehow our reasoning of our mind cannot really find any rationale and understand the action that had been made. But the point is to have faith and reason.
The study allows the researcher to see clarifications and distinction between the heart's reason and reason, and why is it that reason cannot really grasp the act that the heart is doing. Reason has its realms in the natural level of knowledge the “ rational knowledge,” that is bound in the human level of reasoning. While the heart's reason has a realms that is beyond any natural sciences of human nature. From the word supra-rational knowledge which means beyond the natural reasoning. It is a reasoning not only bound in human reasoning but, also by faith. Even though each of them uses different ways in deciphering the truth and have their own level if attainment they have a commonalty, they are a tool in search for the truth.
In his exposition, we have understand that heart has its won way in reasoning. Reasoning itself cannot really understand. We have implied this kind of understanding of heart;s reason as an important tool in aiding formation towards the candidate for Priesthood. His vision of adhering and knowing the ultimate and infinite Bring through the use of the heart. Although it is somewhat a paradox between heart's reason and reason, nevertheless, the distinction of the two and their uses can be easily be understand. Heart's reason is one character that describes the formation of a candidate for priesthood. A beautiful way of linking Pascal's reason and the seminary formation. For a candidate is not only reasoning by the use of mind (reason), but also by the heart, making an increase to awareness of listening to once heart and in adhering to God's calling for a ministerial priesthood.
Lastly the researcher would like to affirm the need of using once heart in discerning God's call and being formed not only in the natural realms, but also in the heart. Sooner or later may profess because of the contemplation of the heart “ it is no longer I but Christ, lives in me.” ( Galatians 2:20). The seminary formation not only develops intellectually capacitate priest but a person that develop a heart to has a ear in reasoning beyond reason and having a faith.
RECOMMENDATION
The Heart and the mind have their own uniqueness and have their own ways of attaining the truth. What matters is that we can arrived to certain truths and realizations because of their use. But the real question is how. That is why the researcher has recommended that others may a further study about the said topic in other fields, To have a more clarification and distinction between the two, in order to use the said ways of attaining the truth in the best fit ways they could be. Also to have a further distinction between the heart's reason and reason. The researcher recommend for the good of the seminary formation to the seminarians to discern more to God's calling by the use of heart. Following the heart, aided by the reason. By opening themselves to the formation, by following the norms with heart, specially in listening to the calling of the par excellent formator the Holy Spirit.
BIBLIOGRAPGHY
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Sure! Qualitative research involves exploring and understanding phenomena through methods like interviews, observations, and focus groups. For example, in a study about the impact of social media on mental health, researchers might conduct in-depth interviews with participants to gather insights and perspectives on how social media use influences their well-being.
Qualitative research has special appeal to investigators who favor interpretivist or constructivist theoretical approaches. These approaches focus on understanding the subjective experiences and meanings that individuals attach to their social world, which aligns well with the in-depth and exploratory nature of qualitative research methods.
Anecdotal evidence refers to personal stories or individual experiences, while qualitative research involves systematic methods to collect and analyze non-numerical data to explore themes and patterns. Qualitative research aims to provide more rigorous and generalizable insights compared to anecdotal evidence, which may be influenced by individual biases and limitations.
The four main research methods are experimental research, correlational research, descriptive research, and qualitative research. Experimental research involves manipulating variables to test causal relationships, correlational research examines the relationship between variables without manipulating them, descriptive research aims to describe a phenomenon, and qualitative research explores underlying motivations, attitudes, and behaviors through methods such as interviews and observations.
Some potential hazards of qualitative research include researcher bias impacting data interpretation, limited generalizability of findings due to small sample sizes or specific contexts studied, and difficulties in replicating results due to subjective nature of data collection. Additionally, maintaining participant confidentiality can be challenging in qualitative research.
Quantitative research focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis to generalize findings to a larger population, while qualitative research concentrates on understanding human behavior and experiences through non-numerical data such as interviews, observations, and case studies. Quantitative research aims to measure the relationship between variables, while qualitative research seeks to explore phenomena in-depth to gain a deeper understanding.
What is an example of a qualitative research?
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Yes. Histograms, for example.
There are various advantages associated with qualitative research. For example, it can offer a much more in-depth analysis than other methods.
Is qualitative research empirical?
Qualitative Research Reports in Communication was created in 1999.
For example, in qualitative research you resort to a case study approach, while in quantitative research you may resort to survey method. Quantitative research largely deals with volumes of data collected from primary or secondary sources. Qualitative research will focus on descriptions, contents, views, perspectives and its analysis.
[object Object]
Beauty, honesty and literacy.
The qualitative research method allowed us to gain a deep understanding of customers' preferences and motivations.
Qualitative research is generally based on different paradigms (pozitivist, post-pozitivist, constructivist etc.) but Quantitative research is generally based on pozitivism (or newer version of it is post -pozitivizm, for example critical realism).
Examples of qualitative data might be that thunder follows more quickly after lightening as the storm gets closer. It is an information that is descriptive but lacks hard numbers.