Sic et Non was one of the most famous texts of the High Middle Ages. Known for its rigor and critical analysis of important theological and philosophical questions, it became the cornerstone of medieval scholasticism. Literally translating to “Yes and No,” the work was meant to rescue the rational soul from the lukewarm and lazy inertia of ideology—putting our minds on autopilot at the expense of actually understanding the meaning of things—and invite real-time engagement with ideas and, quite frankly, the risk of thinking. Sometimes the answer to a question can be Yes and No at one and the same time. What a mess! Yet, when, in a humble act of trust, we are willing to stand in the middle of seeming contradictions without trying to force them into neat categories that make us feel like we are in control, the truth emerges: a virgin birth, a Word-made-flesh, a resurrected person, and an infinite sequence of things that don’t seem to go together. The next time therefore we reach for the Either-Or Playbook—to protect ourselves from the vulnerability of having contact with the truth—let’s choose to insert an “and” instead. We will rejoice as we discover the constant creativity that holds life together and sic et non our way into eternity. Ave Crux, Spes Unica.
Would you speak just a little slower???
I had a hard time catching your words–and I do not want to miss the point!!!
thank you.
Okay, you got it!