The relationship between McLuhan and Teilhard de Chardin features extensively in criticism and commentary of McLuhan’s oeuvre. The first studies into the relationship were conducted by Daniel Leary,[1] and Richard McCafferty.[2] Both concluded that McLuhan was not directly influenced by de Chardin. Despite their findings, however, Miller has sought to “bracket” McLuhan with his “co-religious” de Chardin, while also noting that a comparison between the two is “unjust.”[3]
During the mid-1990s the question of the relationship between the pair resurfaced. In this context Hickey asserts that McLuhan “flirted” with the ideas of de Chardin.[4] Tom Wolfe has sought to stress the influence of de Chardin on McLuhan.[5] And finally, Uwe Jochum finds McLuhan’s work to be to be a form “political media Gnosticism,” heavily influence by de Chardin.[6]
[1] Daniel J. Leary, “Voices of Convergence: Teilhard, McLuhan, and Brown,” in The Continuous Flame: Teilhard in the Great Traditions, ed. Harry J. Cargas (Jefferson, St. Louis: B. Herder, 1969).
[2] Richard B. McCafferty “The Influence of Teilhard De Chardin on Marshall McLuhan,” (Northwestern University, Ph.D. diss., 1969).
[3] Miller, 20–21.
[4] Neil Hickey, “McLuhan in the Digital Age: Where Are You Now That We Need You?” in The Legacy of McLuhan, 64.
[5] Tom Wolfe, foreword to Understanding Me, xiii–xviii.
[6] Uwe Jochum, “The Gnosis of Media,” Library Quarterly 74, no. 1 (2004): 31–32.
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