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The moral theory of Thomas Traherne, with special attention to the pro-formative role of nature in the moral formation of children by Rev. Chad M. Rimmer M.Th., University of Edinburgh, School of Divinity (2010) M.Div., Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (2003) B.Sc. (Biology and Chemistry), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1999) Doctor of Philosophy Submitted to New College, School of Divinity in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Edinburgh 2014 Thesis Abstract In the mid seventeenth century, Thomas Traherne claimed human beings must retire into creation in order to fully know the virtues, including goodness, peaceableness and care. In this thesis I review Traherne's moral theory in light of recently discovered manuscripts of his work. For Traherne, because God's Divine goodness is the efficient cause of creation, creatures are naturally good. He uses Paracelsian optic and atomic theories to indicate how creatures communicate their goodness to one another. By retiring among creatures in their natural place, he argues that persons create a relational theatre in which they develop their capacity to sense creaturely communication. In this 'communion' persons perceive their mutual 'interest' with creatures in the relational nexus of creation. This knowledge provides motivation for 'blessed operations' of care for persons and creation. Because the human relationship to other creatures is morally significant, retiring among creation is a critical part of Christian moral formation. For Traherne this sensual engagement with a relational creation is necessary in the moral formation of children, who apprehend nature with their senses. Their innate wonder equips them to form their moral identity in relationship to a peaceable, caring creation. Traherne's account of the role of nature in moral development raises significant pedagogical questions in an age when scientific knowledge and the senses were increasingly disassociated from moral reasoning. For Traherne an education that denies the role of the senses in moral formation 'murders' the child by distracting her attention from the virtues of peace and mutuality that are present in creation. In conversation with phenomenologist Maurice Merleau-Ponty, child psychologists Colwyn Trevarthen and Darcia Narvaez, and educational philosophers David Carr and Carol Gilligan, this thesis demonstrates the contemporary significance of Traherne's claims. Through the wonder of play, contact with the natural environment helps children develop an 'ecological' identity based on their relationship to other creatures. The perception of care in these early relationships is the basis for forming an inter-subjective moral identity and the virtues of care. Many 'care' ethicists and psychologists emphasize the early experiences of care taking. Environmental educators emphasize the caring relationship to creation. Hence they give substance to Traherne's claim that play, wonder and a sensory relationship with other creatures at an early age contribute to the formation of moral identity. Traherne's ideas also have pedagogical implications for theories of Christian moral formation. Theologians and ethicists, such as Rowan Williams, Michael Northcott and John Inge, have suggested place-based programmes of moral formation are needed in the parish context. This thesis demonstrates that Traherne's moral theory provides a rationale for understanding the theological significance of a child's natural wonder and the need for its cultivation in programmes of Christian education. A relationship to the local ecology of the parish can help a child perceive the care of creation, and play a pro- formative role in developing a moral identity in relationship to a caring Creator. I declare that this thesis is the product of my own original work, carried out for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh, and has not been submitted for any other degree or professional qualification. Rev Chad M. Rimmer, 21 January, 2014 To Paul Michael and Luke May you always follow the whispering instinct of nature to become as a little child, renewing your infant eye so that you will never become a stranger to the shining skies. May you always play among the creatures who minister to you, wonder at the Creator who teaches you that you are cared for in all creation, and, being sensible of God's mercies, feel your duty to be a friend of God in the universe. Acknowledgements I want to acknowledge those people who have accompanied me through the completion of this thesis. Thomas Traherne is first among them. In a time of war and shifting paradigms, he saw the beatific vision of the Creator's peace that is woven into creation. I thank him for sharing that vision with us in prose and poetry, and for being an inspiring witness among the communion of saints. I am also thankful to those Traherne scholars who have gone before me. Specifically I want to thank Dr Denise Inge and Dr James Balakier for graciously sharing thoughts, emails, electronic copies of various resources, and the general encouragement to join this small but inspired group of Traherne devotees. I thank Dr Robbie Nicol of the Moray House Institute, School of Education for his time and willingness to talk about things related to phenomenology and the pedagogical implications for environmental education. I thank my friend and future colleague Jeremy Kidwell for hours of mutual reflection, critique, and encouragement over coffee at St. Giles. I thank Jennifer for being willing to patiently edit her little brother's thoughts with eagle eyes. I thank Professor Jolyon Mitchell and Dr Rowan Williams for dedicating their time to engage my research and discuss my contribution to our field, especially during Lord Williams' Giffords Lectures. For the depth of your expertise and faithful encouragement I will forever be grateful. I want to particularly thank Professor Michael Northcott. I came to Scotland believing that our relationship to creation is an important part of our pursuit of peace. He helped me cultivate that passion into research by inviting me to work in this field that he has faithfully and masterfully tended for decades. When I would produce a paper or chapter that was not well ripened he would insist that I start over with better questions so that I could bear the fruit of theological ethics. I am incredibly grateful to my supervisor for his patient teaching. But I am also thankful to him as a fellow priest and friend who shared his home, his faith, his time and his garden for these years. Finally, I wish to thank my wife, Natalie, and my two sons, Paul Michael and Luke. They were willing to sacrifice so much for this project. I thank them for their patience while I spent so much time huddled in the corner at my desk. I pray that they are blessed with all the felicity, love, joy and peace that I receive from our life together. I thank them for tending the garden as a family, and turning the natural wonder of Arthur's Seat into our playground. In so doing, they constantly remind me what this thesis is all about. List of Traherne's Works and Short Titles Ethicks Christian Ethicks (Cornell University Press, 1968) Roman Forgeries Roman Forgeries, Or, a True Account of False Records Discovering the Impostures and Counterfeit Antiquities of the Church of Rome / By a Faithful Son of the Church of England. (1673) (London, 1673) The Church's Year-book The Works of Thomas Traherne: Church’s Year-book, Meditations and Devotions from the Resurrection to All Saints’ Day, A Serious and Parenthetical Contemplation of the Mercies of God, in Several Most Devout and Sublime Thanksgivings for the Same. (Meditations on the Six Days of Creation), ed. by Jan Ross (D.S. Brewer, 2009) Commentaries The Works of Thomas Traherne: Commentaries of Heaven. Al-sufficient to Bastard, ed. by Jan Ross (D.S. Brewer, 2007) Inducements to Retirednes The Works of Thomas Traherne: Inducements to Retirednes; A Sober View of Dr Twisses, His Considerations; Seeds of Eternity, or, The Nature of the Soul; The Kingdom of God, ed. by Jan Ross (DS Brewer, 2005) A Sober View The Works of Thomas Traherne: Inducements to Retirednes; A Sober View of Dr Twisses, His Considerations; Seeds of Eternity, or, The Nature of the Soul; The Kingdom of God, ed. by Jan Ross (DS Brewer, 2005) Seeds of Eternity The Works of Thomas Traherne: Inducements to Retirednes; A Sober View of Dr Twisses, His Considerations; Seeds of Eternity, or, The Nature of the Soul; The Kingdom of God, ed. by Jan Ross (DS Brewer, 2005) Kingdom The Works of Thomas Traherne: Inducements to Retirednes; A Sober View of Dr Twisses, His Considerations; Seeds of Eternity, or, The Nature of the Soul; The Kingdom of God, ed. by Jan Ross (DS Brewer, 2005) Centuries Thomas Traherne: Centuries, Poems, and Thanksgivings, Volume I, ed. by Herschel Maurice Margoliouth (Clarendon Press, 1958) Poems and Thanksgivings Thomas Traherne: Centuries, Poems, and Thanksgivings, Vol.