Fides et Ratio - Encyclical Letter by John Paul II

Faith and reason are described as the "two wings" upon which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth. This metaphor suggests that without both, the search for truth is incomplete.
The journey towards truth and self-awareness is a universal human characteristic, exemplified by the ancient Greek command "Know thyself."
Philosophy seeks to answer fundamental questions about existence, such as "Why am I here?" and "What is the meaning of life?"

Philosophy, defined as the "love of wisdom," is a rigorous exercise of human reason aimed at discovering the ultimate causes and principles of reality.
Wonder and Reason: Knowledge begins with wonder—a deep curiosity about the world and human existence that drives inquiry beyond the surface level.
Ecclesiastical Perspective: The Church values the philosophical tradition not as a substitute for faith, but as a necessary tool for clarifying and communicating the truths of Revelation.

Source of Revelation: Direct Revelation originates from God, whereas reason is a capacity implanted in the human soul by the Creator.
Transcendence: Revelation provides access to truths that are beyond the reach of the natural light of reason, such as the mystery of the Holy Trinity.
Obedience of Faith (obsequium fidei): Faith requires an act of the intellect and will. It is an intellectual acceptance of truths that, while not contrary to reason, cannot be fully proven or exhausted by it.

Theology acts as the systematic study of the data of Revelation. It must bridge the gap between faith and the prevailing cultural and philosophical context.
Twofold Path:
- Auditus Fidei (Hearing of Faith): The reception and study of Sacred Scripture and Tradition.
- Intellectus Fidei (Understanding of Faith): The use of reason and philosophical categories to explore the deeper meaning and internal logic of those truths.
A solid philosophical foundation is essential to prevent theology from falling into fideism (faith without reason) or rationalism (reason without faith).

Scientism: The belief that only the empirical sciences provide valid knowledge, which limits reason to the observable world and ignores metaphysical truth.
Relativism and Nihilism: Modern thought often struggles with the denial of universal truths, leading to the belief that meaning is purely subjective or that life is inherently meaningless (nihilism).
The Crisis of Meaning: Philosophy must confront these trends to restore confidence in the human ability to attain absolute and certain truth.

Faith and reason are not in conflict because truth is unified; there can be no contradiction between the God of faith and the God of reason.
Human dignity is maximized when the mind is engaged in the search for truth, which ultimately leads to a more profound encounter with the Divine.
A renewed partnership between philosophy and theology is vital for effective evangelization and dialogue with modern culture.