GC 34 reaffirms "the distinctive importance of the intellectual quality" of each Jesuit work as contributing to "the discovery of the creative work of God" and as recognizing "the legitimate autonomy of human inquiry." Because "freedom and the ability to reason are attributes which characterize human beings as created in the likeness of God and are closely tied to genuine faith, an intellectual tradition continues to be of critical importance for the Church's vitality as well as for the understanding of cultures which deeply affect each person's way of thinking and living."
GC 34 "resolutely encourages a vigorous spiritual and intellectual formation for young Jesuits and ongoing spiritual and intellectual formation for every Jesuit" as well as "serious and active intellectual inquiry" to characterize "our commitment to integral evangelization."
In more directly intellectual apostolic works "professional formation and competence are to be accompanied by that legitimate responsible autonomy and freedom which are requisites for progress in scholarly teaching and research." It is also essential to recognize the specific characteristics of each of the various scholarly disciplines.
Because the intellectual dimension of every apostolic work also supposes that each Jesuit knows how to be a companion with others, "the intellectual mission calls for a humble ability to accept praise and also to face rejection and controversy." Jesuits must learn to live creatively "between profound insertion into all the details of our work and an open and critical attitude towards other points of view and other cultural or confessional positions."
Theological research and reflection is of specific importance in the intellectual apostolate. Theological reflection, social analysis, and discernment are phases of a process ... called "reading the signs of the times." This is "the effort to discern the presence and activity of God in the events of contemporary history in order to decide what to do as servants of the Word." Such effort "in the service of the Gospel can help to respond to the broadest questions of the human mind and the deepest yearnings of the human heart." In their own personal views, in their interpretation of individual, social, cultural and political situations, and in their spiritual life, Jesuits can be guided by such reflection.