Resilience and Christian Virtues
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RESILIENCE AND CHRISTIAN VIRTUES What the Psychosocial Sciences Offer for the renewal of Thomas Aquinas’ Moral Theology of Fortitude and Its Related Virtues by Craig Steven Titus Thesis presented to the Faculty of Theology a t the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) to obtain a doctoral degree. Fribourg 2002 Under the direction of Prof. Michael S. Sherwin, O.P. and Prof. Servais-Théodore Pinckaers, O.P. This thesis has been approved by the Faculty of Theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, on October 29, 2002 on the recommendation of: Prof. Michael S. Sherwin, O.P. (1st Reader), Prof. Paul Philibert, O.P. (2nd Reader), Prof. Adrian Schenker, O.P. (Dean). Table of Contents Introduction ....................................................................................................1 PART ONE. THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS OF RESILIENCE AND VIRTUE THEORIES...............................................9 Chapter One The Resilience Perspective and Virtue-Based Anthropology..............................................................................................11 Chapter Two. Renewing Moral Theology: Aquinas’ Virtue Theory and Resilience Research ..........................................................................115 PART TWO. APPLICATIONS.................................................................215 Chapter Three. Resilience and Aquinas’ Virtue of Fortitude..............217 Chapter Four. Constructive Resilience and Aquinas’ Virtues of Initiative....................................................................................................279 Chapter Five. Resistant Resilience and Aquinas’ Virtues of Endurance.................................................................................................349 PART THREE. FORTITUDE AND RESILIENCE TRANSCENDED 379 Chapter Six. Aquinas’ Theological Transformation of Fortitude and Resilience...........................................................................................381 Chapter Seven. A Theological Dimension of Resilient Initiative- taking? ......................................................................................................427 Chapter Eight. Theological Dimension of the Virtues of Enduring ....461 Chapter Nine. Conclusions: Resilience Research and the Renewal of Moral Theology........................................................................................513 Abbreviations..............................................................................................525 Bibliography................................................................................................529 Complete Table of Contents ......................................................................558 Acknowledgements Numerous persons have contributed in one way or another to this book. Their intellectual support forms the basis for its breath of vision. In the first place, I owe a debt of gratitude to Fr. Servais- Théodore Pinckaers, O.P. He provides a model for doing moral theology deeply rooted in the sources of all that is good and true. It has been a joy to work with such a master, each meeting with him being both insightful and inspirational. Two other major figures have helped in shaping and directing this work: Fr. Michael Sherwin, O.P. and Mgr. Jean-Louis Bruguès, O.P. Prof. Sherwin helped forge the work’s final form and nuance its present content; he has done this with great intelligence and in the spirit of friendship. Mgr Bruguès helped me wrestle with the thorny methodological issues that underlie multidisciplinary dialogue about what is ever old and ever new concerning the human spirit faced with difficulty. Other people have generously offered me their guidance on particular texts and their input through discussions. At the risk of not justly acknowledging their unique contributions, I will simply list their names and areas of assistance: Fr. Paul Philibert, O.P. (Second Reader), Stefan Vanistendael (resilience and spirituality), Fr. Owen Carroll (Aquinas and Aristotle), Prof. William C. Mattison (emotions and virtue), Prof. Benedict Viviano, O.P. (Scripture and emotion), Dr. Jorge Ferreira (resilience and psychotherapy), Prof. Stephen J. Pope (method of moral theology in dialogue with the sciences), Prof. Dominic O’Meara (Aristotle and Cicero), PD Dr. Bernard N. Schumacher (philosophy and hope), Prof. Meinrad Perrez (psychology of virtues, resilience and stress), Dr. Markus Zimmerman (methods of moral theology and ethics), Dr. François Ruëgg (cultural anthropology and method), Dr. Michael Terranova (faith and virtue). On a practical level, Fr. Liam Walsh, O.P. made the dissertation possible. I thank him for the confidence that he had in me (working as his assistant) and for all he has taught me about the finer potential of human relationships; to him, to Fr. Benoît-Dominique de la Soujeole, O.P. and the University of Fribourg, I am greatly indebted. Concerning the book’s present form, Elise Yakuboff proofread the text and Cyril Rouiller kindly aided with its final layout. I give special thanks to my parents, siblings (Renee, Mark, and Diane), friends, and parents-in-law. Most importantly, I would like to acknowledge my wife’s input. Giovanna has contributed her realist insights and linguistic talents to the text. Together with my sons, Luca and Matteo, she has provided me with support and strength to face the difficulties of the task. With heartfelt gratitude, I see all these sources of resilience as so many reminders of God’s own goodness. Introduction Although suffering and challenge demoralize some humans, others cope and construct instead. Rather than grinding to a halt, certain people hurdle the obstacles or creatively maneuver around them. They even make something positive out of the negative situation. In the face of crisis, they not only survive but also thrive. “Resilience” is a concept used to shed light on these phenomena. It underlines preventive and therapeutic approaches that reinforce the resources of children and adults, families and communities. Resilience capacities involve coping well with difficulty, actively resisting destructive pressures and rebuilding positively after adversity. However, we do not exercise these capacities in equal measure. Humans faced with similar situations end up in diverse spots. Some people manage destructive life events more efficaciously. Others lose a sense of meaning or emotional stability. Certain humans find a positive outcome to the negative situation. Others become aggressive and abusive, or drug or alcohol dependent. What initiates and sustains a resilient use of human resources? What renders some individuals and groups more resilient than others? These questions are not only pertinent for the psychosocial studies that instigated the use of the resilience concept, but also for moral approaches.1 In this book, I make the case that ethics and moral theology2 can employ the resilience concept and research to refocus moral analysis. They can thus better integrate the potential personal and social resources available for building character in the midst of vicissitude, trial and loss. I shall address the following questions, in 1 By “psychosocial sciences,” I group together the social sciences, evolutionary theory, psychology and developmental theories. Later, I shall differentiate their methods and contributions. 2 When I speak of morality or ethics in general, I posit the basis for philosophical ethical theory as well as moral theology, Christian ethics or theological ethics. I prefer “moral theology” of the latter three. The substantive is “theology” in contrast to the other two whose substantives are “ethics.” I would place both Christian ethics and moral theology as a sub-set of theology, as I explain in chapter two. I would further specify that this work is moral theology. I draw from the Catholic Tradition as a principal and determining source. This Christian project is a fitting partner for ecumenical dialogues. Cf. S.-Th. Pinckaers 2001d. 2 Resilience and Christian Virtues particular: how does resilience research contribute to a renewal of St. Thomas Aquinas’ virtue theory and moral theology? Specifically, how does it deepen our comprehension of moral development? Particularly, how does it enhance our understanding of fortitude and its related virtues? This book’s title employs three disciplines: psychosocial sciences, ethical theory and moral theology. I put them into interdisciplinary dialogue. On the one hand, I engage in an active exchange of ideas between resilience research and Aquinas’ moral theory. This discussion is philosophical. It employs psychosocial studies on human resilience to revitalize Aquinas’ moral anthropology and to understand the virtues associated with fortitude. On the other hand, I extend this conversation to a theological dimension. In particular, I attempt to deepen moral theology from a Roman Catholic perspective. This renewal of moral theology requires not only the properly theological sources of Scripture and Tradition, but also insights found in normative and descriptive sciences, that is, philosophical ethics and psychosocial sciences. It reflects upon the presence, action and influence of God in human agency and society. I have chosen to revisit Thomas Aquinas’ ethical theory and moral theology, since his approach to virtue anthropology serves as a valuable model for moral theory in interdisciplinary dialogue with the findings of not only philosophical and theological sciences, but also psychology and social sciences.3 Aquinas’