In Feminism And Christian Ethics, Lisa Sowle Cahill argues that feminist ethics
has much to offer Catholicism. For one, the main issues that concern feminist ethics are
basically the same ones that make up Catholic identity. That is, how women and men
define themselves in society, what means are available to them for attaining their ends- in
short inter personal and social relations. Second, the founding principles that guide
feminist ethics are rooted in the tradition of natural law, a tradition well known to
Catholicism. So, while the approach of feminist ethics has been to scrutinize traditions
which seek to oppress women by supporting unequal social structures, the guiding
principles behind feminist ethics still remain well lodge in natural law. As Cahill says, it
is in the founding principles of natural law where feminist ethics and Catholicism meet.
And it is also here where lies the main contribution of feminist ethics for the future of
Catholicism. Cahill shows us, how recent studies done on Aquinas? natural law disclose
that Aquinas based his ethics on very general principles. That is to say, Aquinas
understood the complexity of life, and, unlike what most believe, he was cautious about
generating a rigid ethics that would oppress individuals. Aquinas believed that moral
discourse to be truly ethical must first and most importantly begin with an understanding
of the structures of society and the culture under which individuals live. Hence, Aquinas
looked forward to developing a contextual ethics, and was cautious about generating the
types of absolutes and universal principles that were later integrated into his theology.
Although, Aquinas believed that universals were still possible, he nevertheless, believed
that these could only come after considering everything that makes up human existence.
Thus, given Aquinas? understanding of society as a vehicle that brings people together to
strive for the common good, a reconciliation is very plausible in this area. As Cahill says,
natural law beyond all things believes in reasonableness and objectivity, which is
basically the same understanding that guides feminist ethics. Feminists, argue for
freedom, but only in so far as the common good avoids considering social dynamics and
inter-personal relations. Apart from rejecting unequal relations that arise from not taking
into consideration what makes up human existence, feminists, like the natural law
tradition, believe that a common good is worth pursing. So, while on the outset feminists
may look like as if they are breaking away from Catholicism, they are in fact much closer
to Catholicism than one may think. As new challenges bring the Church to question its
ethics and as women and men seek new identities, feminist ethics can help Catholicism
make the transition so that the challenges of modern society can be meet.
I enjoyed reading Lisa Cahill?s essay. She brought me to see Aquinas? ethics in a
new way. I believe that Cahill makes an important contribution to Christianity by
showing us that it is possible to remain within tradition all while progressing. Often I find
myself thinking if Christianity will ever be able to survive considering its rigid ethics.
However, as Cahill so eloquently showed me, it is possible. The renewal interest in
natural law is showing us that we can continue to press forward while remaining in touch
with our Christian background.
Другие работы по теме:
Beginnings Of Christianity Essay Research Paper By
Beginnings Of Christianity Essay, Research Paper By the time Constantine declared himself a Christian in 313 CE, almost half of the Roman population had abandoned the traditional Roman gods for Christianity (Galloway 4). The reason for the spread of this particular religion was because the ideas behind it were simple and easy for the people of the Roman world to embrace.
Cyrano De Bergerac Essay Research Paper When
Cyrano De Bergerac Essay, Research Paper When analyzing the various personae exemplified in the novel Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, it is evident that each character changes throughout the plot. The characters Roxane, a beautiful, intelligent, love-seeking woman, Christian, Roxane s young lover who is terribly afraid of the spoken verse, and Cyrano, the distant cousin of Roxane, who happens to be in love with her, all changed throughout this play, in all cases for the better.
Vicky Essay Research Paper Maniac Soft Animated
Vicky Essay, Research Paper Maniac Soft Animated GIF Viewer AGV 1.0 ======================================= Hi there, thank you for using AGV 1.0. My name’s Christian “Maniac” Stauffer from Maniac Soft.
Ethics 3 Essay Research Paper EthicsThere are
Ethics 3 Essay, Research Paper Ethics There are many people in the world today that want their lives to end in a certain way. Some want to fulfill a dream or do something they weren t able to do before; yet there are some people who want to feel like they have done something for others which have helped another person in there live today.
Cyrano Poem Essay Research Paper Cyrano like
Cyrano Poem Essay, Research Paper Cyrano, like the skipper, was brave and sure. But this story, was not about a 3 hour tour. It is about a fearless man, with friends and foe galore.
Ethics In America Essay Research Paper New
Ethics In America Essay, Research Paper New York ?Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers, you did for me.? Matthew 25:40 The poor, the sick, and the children. These are the three most vulnerable groups in our society and in upper Manhattan?s Washington Heights neighborhood there are plenty of them.
Review On The World According To Garp
Essay, Research Paper In the novel The World According to Garp, by John Irving, feminism isboth glorified and ridiculed. This is shown through the life of T.S.Garp and his family. When the author refers to Garp’s mother Jenny,feminism is shown as a great thing that is totally for the benefit ofwomen and all mankind.
Christians Essay Research Paper I agree with
Christians Essay, Research Paper I agree with the Uncle that the Bible should be analyzed and interpret like any other book. Just because you are a Christian does not mean you can interpret it correctly. I come from a Christian family and we all have read the Bible. But I know that I have interpret parts of the Bible in a different matter then other members of my family, they have as well.
Judiasm Essay Research Paper Judaism is an
Judiasm Essay, Research Paper Judaism is an interesting religion worth looking into for those who are interested in learning about other religions. The majority of Jews accept Christianity,and Jesus Christ.
Feminists 2 Essay Research Paper Final Composition
Feminists 2 Essay, Research Paper Final Composition-”Feminism” Women have a disease, a disease that will prevent them from ever achieving political, social or economic greatness. This “disease” is the need for independancy and self-respect or the lack there of. This is what we have come to know as feminism.
The World According To Garp By John
Irving Essay, Research Paper The World According to Garp by John IrvingIn the novel The World According to Garp, by John Irving, feminism is both glorified and ridiculed. This is shown through the life of T.S. Garp and his family. When the author refers to Garp s mother Jenny, feminism is shown as a great thing that is totally for the benefit of women and all mankind.
Aristotle On Ethics Essay Research Paper 1
Aristotle On Ethics Essay, Research Paper 1) Explain fully Aristotle?s approach to Ethics. What is the goal of the ethical life? What type of soul is capable of realizing the good life? How do we
Christian Essay Research Paper Christian was a
Christian Essay, Research Paper Christian was a young man that lived long ago. In his time, they didn?t have the same technology as we do today. Christian wanted to explore the world as we know it, so he decided to have a time machine transport him to the future a few hundred years later, during the 1990?s. He was the most curious and interested in what we call the mall, which has many weird and fascinating things in it.
Ethics Essay Research Paper Ethics 1 are
Ethics Essay, Research Paper Ethics (1) are an individual?s personal beliefs about what constitutes right and wrong behavior. Important areas of ethical concern for managers are how the organization treats its employees, how the employees treat the organization, and how the organization and its employees treat other economic agents.
Abortion Essay Research Paper AbortionI feel that
Abortion Essay, Research Paper Abortion I feel that abortion is wrong. God says that he is the way, the truth, and the life. I am a Christian and I believe that God has a plan for everyone and everything. He has the whole world planned and He sees ahead. What happens is his will, no matter how harsh it may be or difficult to deal with.
Ethics In Research Essay Research Paper The
Ethics In Research Essay, Research Paper The study of psychology often requires the use of experimental methods to gather important information for the betterment of the human race. Experiments often involve the use of humans and animals. What can be done to a human or animal in the name of science and research is a question of ethics.
Thoughts On Feminists Essay Research Paper Thoughts
Thoughts On Feminists Essay, Research Paper Thoughts on Feminists. I was not yet ten when I was first made aware of the feminist movement and my mother didn?t have much use for that type of thing. You see, feminism in the eighties was a female version of the neo-nazi skinhead mentality. With men being the enemy instead of other races.
Reputation Essay Research Paper TIMOTHY
Reputation Essay, Research Paper TIMOTHY – A CHRISTIAN REPUTATION Scripture: Acts !6 vs. 1-3, Galatians 5 vs. 16 Timothy had grown up knowing the bible his mother Eunice, and
Ethics Of Duty And Virtue Essay Research
Paper The most basic question in ethics of duty and ethics of virtue is what is human excellence, and how is it achieved?. However, the two fundamental approaches to answering this are significantly different. Ethics of duty focuses more on differentiating between what is morally right or wrong and on what our moral obligations are to ourselves and to our society.
Ethics In Criminal Justice
– Forgiveness Essay, Research Paper Ethics in Criminal Justice Forgiveness The issue to be discussed concerns the act of forgiving. Forgiveness can be shown in many different ways. The degree of forgiveness depends on one?s personal beliefs. There are many ethical systems that one can apply forgiveness to.
Wife Of Bath Essay Research Paper Wife
Wife Of Bath Essay, Research Paper Wife Of Bath Feminism, or a doctrine advocating social, politcal, and economic rights for women equal to those of men, plays a large role in “The Wife of Bath’s
Aristotle Essay Research Paper Aristotle analyzes the
Aristotle Essay, Research Paper Aristotle analyzes the goods and the virtues that lead to human beings toward happiness in book one of Nicomachean Ethics. According to Aristotle, every activity has an end (or goal); another way of saying this is that the aim of every activity is some kind of good. Concerning this, human existence itself must have some ultimate good.
The Myth Of New Feminism Essay Research
Paper The myth of new feminism New feminism. Everybody will probably have heard these divine words before. It seems that desperate women with too much time on their hands want to apply the technique of putting something which has gone out of the spotlights into a new package and claiming it has been improved revolutionary.
Feminism Essay Research Paper What is feminism
Feminism Essay, Research Paper What is feminism? By general definition, feminism is a philosophy in which women and their contributions are valued. It is based on social, political and economical equality for women. Feminists can be anyone in the population, men, women, girl or boys. Feminism can also be described as a movement.
Business Ethics Essay Research Paper Rewards for
Business Ethics Essay, Research Paper Rewards for “Good” Business Ethics Business ethics can be viewed as the principles and standards that guide behavior in the world of business. Especially in today’s society, understanding and practicing the concepts of ethics is a key factor that many organizations stress among employees.
Business Ethics Essay Research Paper Business EthicsWhat
Business Ethics Essay, Research Paper Business Ethics What is business ethics? The answer to this question may be as simple as a company that complies with all the relevant rules and regulations. Or it may be more complex detailing the ways in which the corporation interacts with the world at large. The answer may also depend on who is asked the question.
Is Antigone A Feminist Or AntiFeminist Play
? Essay, Research Paper Ahmed B. Karim Antigone Essay (Is Antigone a Feminist/Anti-Feminist Play) Sunday, Oct. 31, 2000 I think Antigone was a feminist play because of three main facts. Antigone was in all the conflicts, even though Creon started them all, even though Creon had all the power, Antigone still won the war between her and Creon, also no woman in her time would even think of doing the things that Antigone did.
Ethics Essay Research Paper Ethics have a
Ethics Essay, Research Paper Ethics have a fluid existence therefore making them extremely difficult to define. They are in a constant state of change. They change with the times within the individual. People change their ethics though the course of their lives due to things they’ve experienced and lessons they’ve learned.