Conjugal Love and Procreation: Dietrich von Hildebrand's Superabundant Integration

by Kevin Schemenauer

Overview

Dietrich von Hildebrand contributed to the Catholic tradition's increased recognition of conjugal love in marriage in the early twentieth century, and, as Kevin Schemenauer argues in Conjugal Love and Procreation, von Hildebrand's work remains relevant to contemporary Catholic thought as well. While some argue that this German Catholic philosopher and theologian neglected the role of procreation in marriage, this book shows that von Hildebrand's writings on reverence and superabundant finality contribute to a contemporary understanding of the significance of procreation within marriage. Schemenauer analyzes von Hildebrand's integration of conjugal love and procreation, showing him to be an insightful and parallel voice to the that of John Paul II. His thorough exploration of von Hildebrand's writings reveals not only how conjugal love and openness to new life are essential to marriage, but also how essential the role of procreation is to the conception of conjugal love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739147061
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	05/05/2011
Pages:	146
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Kevin Schemenauer is assistant professor of theology at Marian University.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction xi

Part I Conjugal Love and Marriage

1 Conjugal Love and Marriage 3

A Conjugal Love 3

B Natural Marriage 7

C The Transformation of Conjugal Love 9

D Transformation of Marriage 10

E Summary 15

2 The Depth of the Conjugal Act 23

A Consummation of Marriage 23

B Actualization of Conjugal Love 25

C Misuses of the Conjugal Act 28

D Summary 32

3 The Primary Meaning of Marriage 39

A Failure to Clarify the Meaning of Meaning 39

B What Is the Meaning of Meaning? 41

C Summary 46

Part II Procreation

4 Reverence and Superabundance 53

A The Principle of Superabundance 54

B Intentionality in Superabundant Finality 58

C Reverence 62

D The Primary End of Marriage 66

E The Enhanced Role of Procreation in Marriage 68

F Summary 70

5 The Rhythm Method 79

A Overpopulation 79

B The Rhythm Method 80

C The Good of Children 82

D Nature 86

E The Sacrifice of Periodic Abstinence 88

F Summary 90

6 Artificial Birth Control 97

A Conjugal Love and Artificial Birth Control 97

B Reverence and Artificial Birth Control 99

C Conscience and Artificial Birth Control 103

D Summary 105

Conclusion 111

A Conjugal Love, Marriage, and the Conjugal Act 111

B The Primary Meaning and End of Marriage 113

C The Rhythm Method and Artificial Birth Control 115

D Topics for Further Study 116

Bibliography 119

Index 123

About the Author 125

Editorial Reviews

S. has logically and accessibly assembled the writings across the years to show how vH. has been at the forefront of some areas of Catholic Church thinking yet always within its teachings, how he has made original contributions through clear articulation of the role of conjugal love and procreation in marriage, and that vH. has been consistent in his approach, even if his focus has changed over time in the light of other developments. S. himself has also competently defended vH.'s work against the criticism of others by drawing out implicit aspects to reveal vH's intentions. This book shows that the clarity of vH.'s thinking is still very relevant today in appreciating the beauty of conjugal love, its wondrous part within God's plan of creation and the implications that flow from this.

INTAMS review: Journal for the Study of Marriage & Spirituality

Conjugal Love and Procreation is a wonderful study of von Hildebrand's thought on conjugal love and how von Hildebrand relates it to procreation through the ideas of reverence and superabundance. This study of von Hildebrand has many strengths. Among them, Kevin Schemenauer's familiarity with primary sources and engagement with secondary material on von Hildebrand is excellent. Schemenauer's work clarifies the difference between von Hildebrand's categories of the primary meaning of marriage and the primary end of marriage, categories that most commentators find ambiguous at best.

Jason E. King

A first rate study of a neglected area in the work of one of the 20th century's most important thinkers. Schemenauer's careful analysis of von Hildebrand will be appreciated by scholars, yet his prose is lucid enough to make the work accessible for undergraduate courses on marriage and sexuality.

John S. Grabowski

A first rate study of a neglected area in the work of one of the 20th century's most important thinkers. Schemenauer's careful analysis of von Hildebrand will be appreciated by scholars, yet his prose is lucid enough to make the work accessible for undergraduate courses on marriage and sexuality.--John S. Grabowski, Catholic University of America

Conjugal Love and Procreation is a wonderful study of von Hildebrand's thought on conjugal love and how von Hildebrand relates it to procreation through the ideas of reverence and superabundance. This study of von Hildebrand has many strengths. Among them, Kevin Schemenauer's familiarity with primary sources and engagement with secondary material on von Hildebrand is excellent. Schemenauer's work clarifies the difference between von Hildebrand's categories of the primary meaning of marriage and the primary end of marriage, categories that most commentators find ambiguous at best.--Jason E. King, St. Vincent College, Pennsylvania

S. has logically and accessibly assembled the writings across the years to show how vH. has been at the forefront of some areas of Catholic Church thinking yet always within its teachings, how he has made original contributions through clear articulation of the role of conjugal love and procreation in marriage, and that vH. has been consistent in his approach, even if his focus has changed over time in the light of other developments. S. himself has also competently defended vH.'s work against the criticism of others by drawing out implicit aspects to reveal vH's intentions. This book shows that the clarity of vH.'s thinking is still very relevant today in appreciating the beauty of conjugal love, its wondrous part within God's plan of creation and the implications that flow from this.--INTAMS review: Journal for the Study of Marriage & Spirituality

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