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Ethics: a Study of Dietrich BonhoeEr's Ethics in Relation to Virtue Ethics

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Ethics: a Study of Dietrich BonhoeEr's Ethics in Relation to Virtue Ethics Durham E-Theses The virtue of Bonhoeer's ethics: a study of Dietrich Bonhoeer's Ethics in relation to virtue ethics MOBERLY, JENNIFER,LYNNE How to cite: MOBERLY, JENNIFER,LYNNE (2009) The virtue of Bonhoeer's ethics: a study of Dietrich Bonhoeer's Ethics in relation to virtue ethics, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/89/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 The Virtue of Bonhoeffer’s Ethics A Study of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Ethics in Relation to Virtue Ethics Jennifer Moberly Thesis submitted for PhD Durham University December 2009 Abstract Jennifer Moberly, „The Virtue of Bonhoeffer‟s Ethics: A Study of Dietrich Bonhoeffer‟s Ethics in Relation to Virtue Ethics‟ (thesis submitted for PhD, December 2009) This study first explores prima facie reasons for rejecting the possibility of seeing a close relationship between Bonhoeffer‟s Ethics and virtue ethics. However, a closer reading of his texts, and the examination of formulations of virtue ethics by Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and Alasdair MacIntyre, lead to the conclusion that those grounds are insufficient for dismissing the possibility of such a relationship. Instead there is compelling evidence for the presence of virtue-ethical aspects in his treatment of justification and sanctification, his implicit anthropology and holistic conception of human life, and especially in the theme of „conformation‟ and the notion of „simplicity‟. Given the fact that there are some ways in which Bonhoeffer‟s Ethics appears to be positively related to virtue ethics, the study then examines how these aspects are related to elements of Barthian divine command ethics which are also present in Bonhoeffer‟s conception. The suggested conclusion is that the two forms of ethical thought were used throughout the writing periods in a dialectical integration within an overall vision of the agent participating (by grace) in the reality that Christ has reconciled all reality to God. Finally, the thesis considers how this understanding of Bonhoeffer‟s Ethics may be of use within contemporary debates, and advocates seeing it as a distinctive example of how virtue ethics may be articulated without compromising the role of grace. J. Moberly The Virtue of Bonhoeffer’s Ethics 2 Table of Contents Chapter One: Introduction 1.1: Rationale for Study – Introduction......................................................................................... 8 1.2: A Theological Backdrop .......................................................................................................... 9 1.3: Rationale for Study - Conclusion .......................................................................................... 16 1.4: Guide for the reader ............................................................................................................ 18 1.5: Overview .............................................................................................................................. 19 Chapter Two: Bonhoeffer and 'Virtue Ethics' 2.1: Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 23 2.2: A Case for Connection .......................................................................................................... 23 2.3: The Evidence from Bonhoeffer ............................................................................................ 25 2.4: The Analysis of Bonhoeffer’s Commentators ...................................................................... 43 2.5: Conclusions .......................................................................................................................... 62 Chapter Three: Virtue Ethics in the Christian Tradition 3.1: Augustine and Virtue Ethics ................................................................................................. 64 3.2: Thomas Aquinas’s Virtue Ethics ........................................................................................... 82 3.3: Alasdair MacIntyre ............................................................................................................... 92 3.4: Three Rival Versions of Virtue Ethics? ............................................................................... 101 3.5: Questions from Bonhoeffer ............................................................................................... 103 3.6: Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 112 Chapter Four: Bonhoeffer's Ethics as Virtue Ethical 4.1: Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 113 4.2: Justification and Sanctification .......................................................................................... 115 4.3: Overall concerns of Ethics .................................................................................................. 127 4.4: Specific aspects related to virtue ethics ............................................................................ 137 4.5: Virtue Ethical Themes in Bonhoeffer ................................................................................. 143 4.6: Mode of Ethical Discourse ................................................................................................. 153 4.7: Conclusions ........................................................................................................................ 174 J. Moberly The Virtue of Bonhoeffer’s Ethics 3 Chapter Five: Divine Command and/or Virtue Ethics 5.1: Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 177 5.2: Divine Command in Bonhoeffer’s Ethics ............................................................................ 178 5.3: Rasmussen’s and Plant’s Interpretations ........................................................................... 186 5.4: Discussion of Similar Concerns .......................................................................................... 190 5.5: Tentative conclusions ......................................................................................................... 232 Chapter Six: Conclusion 6.1: Summary ............................................................................................................................ 236 6.2: What Bonhoeffer Can Teach us Regarding Virtue Ethics ................................................... 242 Bibliography J. Moberly The Virtue of Bonhoeffer’s Ethics 4 Acknowledgements Of course it is a matter of justice to acknowledge my indebtedness to a number of people who have given me assistance in completing this thesis, but it is also a great joy to note their help and kindness. To Dr Philip Ziegler I owe thanks for his generosity in giving me time for discussion, helpful suggestions for further reading, and encouragement regarding the nature of my study. I am grateful also to Dr Nigel Oakley for reading a draft of one of the chapters and offering his comments, and to Dr Sibylle Rolf for reading a draft of two of the chapters, sharing her knowledge of German Lutheranism and Christian ethics, and providing a sounding board within the goods of friendship. Greater thanks go to my family, Walter, John-Paul and Rachel, who have given me their unstinting and patient support through the years of this research. Walter generously read early essays which were part of my preparation for the thesis, and gave me encouragement when I most needed it. However, without the support of my supervisor, Dr Robert Song, I could not have completed this work. He has unfailingly been generous with his time, gracious in seeing the best in my efforts, patient as I learned, and both kind and wise in offering criticisms and suggestions. One could not ask for a more virtuous supervisor. Jennifer Moberly Durham, 10 September, 2009 J. Moberly The Virtue of Bonhoeffer’s Ethics 5 Abbreviations Used Throughout the Thesis DBW 1: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Werke 1: Sanctorum Communio DBW 2: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Werke 2: Akt und Sein DBW 3: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Werke 3: Schopfung und Fall DBW 4: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Werke 4: Nachfolge DBW 5: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Werke 5: Gemeinsames Leben/Das Gebetbuch der Bibel DBW 6: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Werke 6: Ethik DBW 7: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Werke 7: Fragmente aus Tegel DBW 8: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Werke 8: Widerstand und Ergebung DBW 10: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Werke 10: Barcelona, Berlin, America 1928-1931 DBW 11: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Werke 11: Ökumene, Universität, Pfarramt 1931- 1932 DBW 12: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Werke 12: Berlin 1932-1933 DBW 14: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Werke 14: Illegale Theologenausbildung: Finkenwalde 1935-37 DBW 15: Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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