Unlike other philosophers and theologians we have read from, Dietrich von Hildebrand determines that while procreation is a certain end of marriage, it is not the sole meaning. Rather, the true meaning of marriage is love. The conjugal romance that exists in the spiritual union between man and woman is the purest meaning behind the sacrament of holy matrimony. Von Hildebrand clarifies that marriage is the “closest and most intimate of all earthly unions”; this specifies that it requires a distinct, wholesome, and mutual love between spouses. The two must have the same intentions going forward in the marriage – these intentions are spelled out for us in the vows said during the matrimonial ceremony: to take one another, to hold and support forever, in good times and bad, in wealth and in poverty, until death. These vows symbolize the mutual consent and love the couple has for one another. In this mutuality, there is a permanence implied that the two truly intend to care for and love one another for the rest of their lives.
Von Hildebrand’s account of love and marriage, therefore, serves as an antidote to our modern world’s hook-up culture because hook-up culture actually avoids all the things Von Hildebrand identifies as essential aspects of marriage. In hook-up culture, people are entirely self-interested – looking for quick, easy, personally pleasurable experiences that don’t require much mental thought, emotional energy, or spiritual connection. In hook-up culture, sex is purely a physical act with no strings attached. Individuals acts based on subjective attractions and selfish attitudes. Often times, the people participating in this kind of lifestyle will only hook up once. Their intention is for a quick “relationship” to ensue; one to last only as long as they can find individualistic pleasure and benefits. As perviously mentioned, Von Hildebrand expounds love as a mutual connection; both parties involved in the relationship must objectively care for the other’s well-being, and be interested in pursuing their consecrated relationship for as long as they both shall live. With this, it is evident that the lack of commitment and prominent self-interest that defines hook-up culture is the complete antithesis of everything Von Hildebrand declares to be characteristics of a true, loving marital union.
Maria Corr Blog 
You mention that the other people we have read said that procreation is the sole end of marriage. Aquinas thought that consent was more important than sex for marriage. Some of the authors that we read thought procreation was the most important thing, but I don’t think you can say all of them did. I think that you did a good job highlighting the differences between the thoughts of Hildebrand and the hook up culture, but I think it could be expanded. Hildebrand talks about complementarity. This means that the biology of a couple matters and affects the relationship. This can be understood partially as sex and procreation, and in hook up culture procreation is not a possibility because of contraceptives.
LikeLike
I agree with you, Maria, that Dietrich von Hildebrand was actually a break with past authors in his emphasis on the importance of love in marriage and a shift to procreation and bearing fruits being more of an end. I do think that while other authors emphasized other aspects and procreation wasn’t their main focus, Hildebrand was unique in his placement of interrelational love. I do believe this is a reflection of the times. For Augustine, societal preservation was paramount, and for Hugh of St. Victor, consent was very important. It is a comment on the early 20th century, and even our time in the early 21st century, that love is an extremely important focus of marriage.
LikeLike
Great post. I agree with your analysis across the board, but specifically liked how you discussed the importance of the marriage vows in materially representing and symbolizing the mutual consent that must exist in the union of man and woman. The consent is crucial because without it, the true natural love doesn’t exist and thus can’t be overcome by supernatural love and thus cause a true eternal solution to hook-up culture. I also think you description of hook-up culture as being selfish is great because it highlights the idea that there is no natural love in the hook-up culture. There is no giving of oneself over to the other and experiencing the gift of another and so it is the natural love that through the consent of marriage is transformed to a eternal and supernatural love thus ultimately curing the hook-up culture.
LikeLike
I completely agree with your assessment of Hildebrand’s work as an antidote for hook-up culture. It was very refreshing to see him explore the idea that love and marriage and love are essentially interconnected. One thing I also touched on in my blog is that Hildebrand states that love and marriage are something that involve risk, which hook-up culture actively avoids. It turns sex an emotionless act, without any sort of emotional connection expected or wanted by either party. His definition of marital love serves as an antidote for this aspect of hook-up culture, because , love in marriage, though it comes with risk, provides so much more meaning to life than a “one-night stand” ever could.
LikeLike