Duquesne University Duquesne Scholarship Collection Electronic Theses and Dissertations Spring 1-1-2009 Aesthetics in the Ecotheology of Sallie McFague: A Critique and a Proposal for a Theological Aesthetics of Nature Mary-Paula Cancienne Follow this and additional works at: https://dsc.duq.edu/etd Part of the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Cancienne, M. (2009). Aesthetics in the Ecotheology of Sallie McFague: A Critique and a Proposal for a Theological Aesthetics of Nature (Doctoral dissertation, Duquesne University). Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/236 This Immediate Access is brought to you for free and open access by Duquesne Scholarship Collection. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Duquesne Scholarship Collection. For more information, please contact [email protected]. AESTHETICS IN THE ECOTHEOLOGY OF SALLIE MCFAGUE: A CRITIQUE AND A PROPOSAL FOR A THEOLOGICAL AESTHETICS OF NATURE A Dissertation Submitted to the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts Duquesne University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By Mary-Paula Cancienne, RSM May 2009 Copyright by Mary-Paula Cancienne, RSM 2009 AESTHETICS IN THE ECOTHEOLOGY OF SALLIE MCFAGUE: A CRITIQUE AND A PROPOSAL FOR A THEOLOGICAL AESTHETICS OF NATURE By Mary-Paula Cancienne, RSM Approved March 10, 2009 ____________________________ ____________________________ Marie Baird, Ph.D. Gerald Boodoo, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Theology Associate Professor of Theology (Dissertation Director) (Committee Member) ____________________________ Elizabeth Agnew Cochran, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Theology (Committee Member) ____________________________ _____________________________ Albert C. Labriola, Ph.D. George S. Worgul, Jr., S.T.D., Ph.D. Dean, McAnulty College and Chair, Department of Theology Graduate School of Liberal Arts Professor of Theology iii ABSTRACT AESTHETICS IN THE ECOTHEOLOGY OF SALLIE MCFAGUE: A CRITIQUE AND A PROPOSAL FOR A THEOLOGICAL AESTHETICS OF NATURE By Mary-Paula Cancienne, RSM May 2009 Dissertation Supervised by Marie Baird, Ph.D. This dissertation focuses on the ecological theology of Sallie McFague, who, as part of her work, employs the use of aesthetics. This study recognizes her contribution and then seeks to build upon it. In aim of this goal, a limited history of aesthetics in the Western tradition is surveyed and attention is given to three significant contemporary scholars in the field of aesthetics and nature/environment (Emily Brady, Allen Carlson, and Arnold Berleant). While this work intended to propose the rudiments of a Theological Aesthetics of Nature, we find that nature and culture are so intertwined that what is initially called for is a framework for a Theological Aesthetics of the Environment that supports approaching the environment of nature and culture with a sense of the unknown and with questions. iv DEDICATION This work is dedicated to those individuals and communities who give their lives to new ideas in gratitude and service of the mystery we call creation. Among those who have inspired this work and to whom this writer is grateful are Sallie McFague, Shawn Copeland, the community of the Sisters of Mercy, and Elizabeth Martin Cancienne. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study was made possible by the very generous support of Duquesne University and McAnulty College and its Theology Department. Along with gratitude for financial support is a deep appreciation and thankfulness to the faculty and Department Chair, George S. Worgul, Jr., S.T.D., Ph.D., who challenged me to think more deeply and broadly concerning the Christian faith in today’s world. A special thank you is extended to my committee, Gerald Boodoo, Ph.D., Elizabeth A. Cochran, Ph.D., and to Marie Baird, Ph.D., who magnanimously agreed to steer this project at its final turn. I am also grateful to Anne M. Clifford, CSJ, Ph.D. for her guidance in the earlier phase of this journey. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract ……………………………………………………………………………..……iv Dedication ……………………………………………………………………………......v Acknowledgments...……………………………………………………………...……....vi Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….....ix Chapter One ...................................................................................................................... 1 What is Aesthetics in Relation to Theology and Nature?................................................ A. Aesthetics..................................................................................................................2 B. Aesthetics and Theology ......................................................................................... 23 C. Aesthetics and Nature.............................................................................................. 57 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 74 Chapter Two.................................................................................................................... 78 Ecotheologian Sallie McFague and Her Use of Aesthetics.............................................. A. Metaphor in McFague’s Theology.......................................................................... 78 B. McFague’s Major Metaphor: World as Body of God............................................. 85 C. McFague’s Use of Aesthetics and Her Response to How to Love Nature ............. 95 D. “The Glory of God” and “Fully Alive”.................................................................. 110 E. Contributions ......................................................................................................... 117 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 132 Chapter Three ............................................................................................................... 134 Does Contemporary Aesthetics of Nature Enhance a Theology of Nature? ................. A. Emily Brady .......................................................................................................... 136 B. Allen Carlson......................................................................................................... 152 C. Arnold Berleant..................................................................................................... 163 vii Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 175 Chapter Four................................................................................................................. 181 A Proposal for a Theological Aesthetics of the Environment......................................... A. Context for a Framework ...................................................................................... 183 B. A Modified Analogical Framework ……………………………………………..184 C. Conclusion............................................................................................................. 193 D. Questions for Further Study.................................................................................. 196 References………………………………………………………………………………198 Primary Sources.......................................................................................................... 198 Secondary Sources...................................................................................................... 199 viii Introduction The earth’s fragile habitats are imperiled and the list of causes is becoming increasingly familiar. Among these are a growing human population; unbridled economic growth; over consumption; urbanization; pollution; global warming; and the apparent lack of comprehension or denial by many people regarding how profoundly humans are impacting Earth’s eco-systems. Yet, an increasing number of people have become aware that the power of humans to destroy Earth’s fragile habitats is outstripping Earth’s power to restore them.1 Evidence of this shift in awareness can be seen in earlier efforts by some countries to reduce greenhouse gases, such as the “Kyoto Treaty,” as well as by mounting agreement by professionals of diverse disciplines that humans are responsible for damage to Earth’s environment.2 In 2007 there was a document released by the United Nations in which a broad consensus of scientists from around the world claim with ninety percent certainty that humans are to blame for global warming.3 Almost weekly one can read of new data that supports this claim. It is no longer a question as to whether or not humans are causing harm to Earth’s biosphere. Now the question concerns what we do about the situation. 1Andrew C. Revkin, “Heat-Trapping Emissions Rise Globally,” The New York Times, 27 September 2008, sec. A. For example, see globalcarbonproject.org. 2The Kyoto Treaty was negotiated in December of 1997 under which industrialized countries will reduce greenhouse gases by approximately 5.2% compared to 1990 levels. The United States and Australia have not signed on. The treaty was revised in 2002. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2233897.stm> (12 March 2007). 3United Nations Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change, Climate Change 2007: Physical Science Basis: Summary for Policymakers, February 2007, page 3. <http://www.ipcc.ch/SPM2feb07.pdf> (19 February 2007). ix When scientists refer to the natural world or to “nature” they are usually speaking of the Earth’s biosphere—that