Science and Mathematics Education Centre On Becoming Virtuous: A Life Examined Through the Prism of Aristotle and Aquinas Prudence M Francis This thesis is presented for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Curtin University October 2013 Lovingly dedicated to my sisters Elizabeth, Amanda and Katherine and to the memory of our wonderful parents Arthur Edward Francis 1926 – 2000 and Kathleen Thérèse Francis 1923 – 2010 For John In the glow of your silence, the heart grows tranquil. No one will ever know where you had to travel. J. O’Donohue, 2001 ii ABSTRACT This thesis is an inquiry into the process of becoming virtuous, not an inquiry into virtue. This work seeks to examine those elements that may be present if a person is to acquire virtue. My thesis is that those necessary elements are intellect/reason, character/hexis and faith. My inquiry is posited within the life narrative of a Catholic priest, Father John Williams. The work is divided into three sections. The first section is an examination of virtue, both moral and intellectual, as outlined in the Aristotelian work, Nicomachean Ethics, and St Thomas Aquinas’ treatise, Summa Theologica. The second section is a life narrative of the Williams and Mackey clans and from this, John Williams’ own story. From these foundation texts a set of questions is derived and these questions are used to interrogate three key concepts that I consider may reveal the essence of what must be in place to become virtuous. These concepts of intellect/nous, character/hexis and faith are examined through overlaying them against John Williams’ lived experience. This forms the third section. In the unfolding of the John Williams narrative a number of indicators reveal that he possesses the intellectual capacity, the personal characteristics and a particular Christian ethic, making him a suitable candidate to illustrate my thesis. His lived experience, set in the context of his role in Catholic Education, make his story a fitting subject for this examination. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT | FATHER JOHN WILLIAMS AM FACE This thesis explores the living experience of becoming virtuous. My inquiry is posited within the life narrative of a Catholic priest, Father John Williams. It is not easy for a person to be the principal focus of another’s research, so I am deeply indebted that he agreed to this examination of his life. For him, having no editorial rights over this work was, in itself, an act of trust, one not easily conferred by anyone. John Williams provided access to his personal papers including correspondence, addresses and photographs. As well, he has been generous with his time, making himself available for formal interviews and questions of clarification. Even though I have known John Williams for four decades this munificence allowed me to come to a particular understanding of his family, and indeed a more transparent appreciation, of who he is. His narrative provides a mirror through which the intertwining course of becoming virtuous is reflected. This thesis honors John Williams. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS During my pre-tertiary education I was taught by the Victorian Presentation Sisters, fine educators who believed in the capacity of women to contribute in meaningful ways to society. I will always be grateful that I was exposed to learning through these scholarly and wise women. Adjunct Professor Bevis Yaxley, who first lectured me during undergraduate work more than 30 years ago, supervised this study. Our paths continued to cross over the years and I am deeply grateful for his interest, encouragement, wise counsel, patience and guidance during this inquiry. His regular availability and readiness to respond to all requests for assistance has made this journey a positive and happy time. I valued the opportunity to present my early work in Vancouver, BC, Canada. A joint conference was supported and organised by Curtin University and Simon Fraser University. This experience encouraged my inquiry. I attended Curtin Colloquia Group gatherings in Hobart. Adjunct Professor Bevis Yaxley, Senior Research Fellow Dr Roya Pugh and the Hobart node shared learning in a way that nurtured my enthusiasm. The completion of this thesis has been possible with the encouragement and support of my family, friends and colleagues. I owe them a debt that I gratefully acknowledge. A number of people were generous with their time and agreed to be interviewed. I thank: Notre Dame Australia’s Vice Chancellor Emeritus Dr Peter Tannock AM, Monsignor Thomas Doyle AM FACE, Mary Freeman, Helen Johnston, Rod Williams (Decd.), Joan Dineen, Adela Morton and Mary Hemming, Monsignor Philip Green and Max Coghlan (Decd.), Norah Donnelly PBVM, Judith Kile, Kathleen Binder, Paul Maedar and Veronica Julian. I am grateful to those colleagues who provided technical and other assistance; Dr Julie Rimes FACE, Dr Jillian Abell, Frederica Kate Dillon, Gregory Dwyer, Professor Christopher Kaczor, Gregory Luttrell and Kevin and Pamela Watkins. v I have been heartened by the support of Emily Roach, Jill Murphy, Molly Toole, Gabrielle Keeshan, Elizabeth Harris, Maria Wheeler RSC, Julianne Dunn MSS, Father Liam Floyd, Ann and Barry Stanfield, Marlene and Darby Quinn, Clare Ryan, Dr Julianne Moss and Loris Yaxley. We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us | Marcel Proust vi CONTENTS PAGE Dedication ii Abstract iii Acknowledgements iv Contents vii Referencing Foundation Texts xi Map of Tasmania xii Ad Initium xiv Section 1 Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION 1 Chapter 2 ARISTOTLE’S NICOMACHEAN ETHICS 15 • Moral Virtues | Means and Ends to Happiness p.15 • Habituation | To begin from the things known to us p.16 • The Soul | Passions | Faculties | Dispositions p.18 • Moderation | The Mean | Key to virtue p.19 • Choice | For, on the whole, choice appears to be concerned with things that are up to us p.19 • Virtue | Moral and Intellectual p.20 • Courage | Hope | Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point p.22 • Moderation | But is as correct reason demands pg.25 • Liberality | It belongs to virtue more to act well than to fare well p.26 • Magnificence | To secure and preserve the good of the city appears to be something greater and more complete p.28 • Greatness of Soul | Comprising all the goodness of the other virtues p.29 • Justice | …neither the evening star nor the morning dawn being so wondrous p.33 • Ambition| One can seek honour from where and in the way that one ought p.34 • Anger | Gentleness | The gentle person wishes to be calm and not led by his passion p.35 • Friendship | Truthfulness | Wittiness | The social virtues p.36 • Shame | For those who feel shame blush p.41 • Will |The principle underlying external actions p.42 • Natural Justice | Political Justice | Each of the just and lawful things is related p.47 • Intellectual Virtues| Habits by which the soul vii expresses the truth p.48 • Correct reason | Prudence | …and prudence is correct reason p.49 • The Soul | So of both of the intellectual parts (of the soul), the work (or tasks) is truth’ p.50 • Science | Knowledge built on what is already known p.52 • Art | All art finds expression in making p.52 • Prudence | A characteristic bound up with action p.53 • Wisdom | The most precise of the sciences p.54 Chapter 3 THE SUMMA THEOLOGICA OF 57 ST. THOMAS AQUINAS • Significance of Aquinas’ Thinking p.57 • Happiness | Imperfect and Perfect p.60 • Will | Reason | Choices guiding action p.60 • Morality | Right Order p.64 • Natural Instinct | Free Will p.65 • Virtue | Habit p.68 • Virtue | Intellect | Reason p.72 • Reason | Moral Virtue p.75 • Theological Virtues | Sharing in the life and grace of God p.79 Chapter 4 A DESIGN APPROACH | QUESTIONS FOR THE 83 INQUIRY • Reason | Intellect p.84 • The Soul | Senses |Emotions |Mind p.85 • Character | Hexis p.90 • Faith p.95 • Questions for the Inquiry | Exploring lived experience p.102 Section 2 Chapter 5 NARRATIVE 103 • The Williams Family| A foundation p.103 • The Mackey Family | A further foundation p.108 • The Next Generation | Jack and Edie Williams p.115 • Family Tragedy |Death of Edith Williams p.122 • Community Engagement | Justice for all p.127 • Education | St Finn Barr’s School | St Patrick’s College p.129 • Passage to Priesthood | Corpus Christ College p.143 • Ordination | Priesthood p.156 • Parish Appointments| Cathedral | Circular Head viii | Devonport p.165 • Move to Hobart | Catholic Family Welfare Bureau p.173 • University Studies p.176 Chapter 6 CATHOLIC EDUCATION 179 • Hobart | 1970 Catholic Education Conference p.188 • National Catholic Education Commission |Interim Commission p.195 • The Armidale Conference | To share ideas and plot a way ahead p.195 • National Catholic Education Commission | A national approach p.197 • Director of Catholic Education |Tasmania p.199 • ‘Sunday Conference’ | A stand for justice p.202 • Commonwealth Schools Commission | An equal playing field p.212 • Directions for Tasmania | Building a system p.214 • Central Authority | The nerve centre p.215 • Religious Education | Broader than the Catholic school p.218 • Conditions of Service | Legitimate aspirations of lay teachers p.220 • A new era | Teachers negotiating their own conditions p.227 • Special education | Education provision for all students p.228 • Restructuring of Senior Secondary Educations | the final initiative p.229 • Summary | Closing the chapter on Catholic education p.230 • Parish Life | Coming full circle p.239 Section 3 Chapter 7 INTERROGATING THE NARRATIVE 256 • Intellignece into wisdom | Natural virtue into moral virtue p.256 • Character | Active and intelligent engagement p.267 • Faith | Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. p.283 • Conclusion | Unfolding understandings of becoming virtuous p.292 ix Epilogue 297 Bibliography 301 References 309 Interviews 312 Appendices 313 x REFERENCING FOUNDATION TEXTS Citing Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics I have adopted Bekker pagination, the accepted form of reference to the writings of Aristotle.