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The Last Supper & Developing The Last Supper & Developing Moral ImaginationMoral Imagination
Insights from Heremenutics, Art and Insights from Heremenutics, Art and Art HistoryArt History
Prepared by James T. Bretzke, S.J.Prepared by James T. Bretzke, S.J.
Boston CollegeBoston College
[email protected]@bc.edu
Competing Moral ParadigmsCompeting Moral Paradigms
Only God Can Know the Whole of RealityOnly God Can Know the Whole of Reality Thus for the rest of us this knowledge is Thus for the rest of us this knowledge is
necessarily incomplete and partial, and we tend necessarily incomplete and partial, and we tend to understand complex realities according to to understand complex realities according to models and paradigmsmodels and paradigms
Can we speak of authentic cultural paradigms Can we speak of authentic cultural paradigms for morality and ethics?for morality and ethics?
Necessary Openness to Revision of All Necessary Openness to Revision of All Paradigms—especially in light of new insightsParadigms—especially in light of new insights
Hermeneutical Theory 101Hermeneutical Theory 101
““Classic” text (vs. a “period piece”)Classic” text (vs. a “period piece”) Which has an “excess of meaning” (Which has an “excess of meaning” (Sensus Sensus
plenior plenior in reference to Scripture)in reference to Scripture) Which must be “understood”Which must be “understood” Understanding is always an act of interpretation, Understanding is always an act of interpretation,
involving reading, encountering, and applying a involving reading, encountering, and applying a text by the “reader” in his/her own contexttext by the “reader” in his/her own context
Leading to a “fusion of horizons”Leading to a “fusion of horizons”
Analogical ImaginationAnalogical Imagination
A “classic” text invites the reader into an A “classic” text invites the reader into an alternative world of “imagination” (as alternative world of “imagination” (as distinguished from “fantasy”)distinguished from “fantasy”)
The audience of a true classic is expanded The audience of a true classic is expanded from the “original” audiencefrom the “original” audience
And thus new “imaginations” come into And thus new “imaginations” come into play in interpreting the textplay in interpreting the text
Effective History & Fusion of Effective History & Fusion of HorizonsHorizons
Historical consciousness, the uniquely human way Historical consciousness, the uniquely human way of being, of understanding in our world, and re-of being, of understanding in our world, and re-interpreting events of the past.interpreting events of the past.
The “past” can The “past” can onlyonly be known in the present, and be known in the present, and thus can “shift” its meaningthus can “shift” its meaning
Schneiders’ example of divorced womanSchneiders’ example of divorced woman Thus, no possibility of “one” “correct” view of Thus, no possibility of “one” “correct” view of
history or one “right” reading of a text! history or one “right” reading of a text! Rather, speak of “transformative understanding”Rather, speak of “transformative understanding”
Developing Moral ImaginationDeveloping Moral Imagination
Our knowledge of the moral order will be Our knowledge of the moral order will be partial, and at times, imperfectpartial, and at times, imperfect
And also diverse, since our imaginative And also diverse, since our imaginative powers and potential are not identicalpowers and potential are not identical
Imagination vs. Fantasy DistinctionImagination vs. Fantasy Distinction Imagination can be helpful in moral Imagination can be helpful in moral
formation, vision, and support for formation, vision, and support for developing virtues which foster growthdeveloping virtues which foster growth
The Art of Moral ImaginationThe Art of Moral Imagination
What are some of the ways we can come to What are some of the ways we can come to an understanding of both the moral order an understanding of both the moral order and and genuine possibilities for change?genuine possibilities for change?
How can we both How can we both discerndiscern and and actact on these on these “change elements” in our own times?“change elements” in our own times?
How can we learn better to use our moral How can we learn better to use our moral imagination in an “artistic” manner?imagination in an “artistic” manner?
An Exercise in Analogical Moral An Exercise in Analogical Moral ImaginationImagination
Notion of the Analogical Notion of the Analogical ImaginationImagination ala David ala David Tracy & Jesus as the “Concrete Universal” of Tracy & Jesus as the “Concrete Universal” of William SpohnWilliam Spohn
The purpose of this exercise is to consider how The purpose of this exercise is to consider how the “essence” of something might be interpreted the “essence” of something might be interpreted in a variety of different, yet “legitimate” waysin a variety of different, yet “legitimate” ways
In order to begin, stop and visualize for a In order to begin, stop and visualize for a moment in your mind the picture of the Last moment in your mind the picture of the Last Supper…..Supper…..
Perhaps your mental image Perhaps your mental image looks like this picture that hung looks like this picture that hung in our house (an engraving after in our house (an engraving after
Leonardo da Vinci)Leonardo da Vinci)
The Medium is the MessageThe Medium is the Message
Sometimes the medium employed carries Sometimes the medium employed carries additional messages within itadditional messages within it
Look at the following slides and see what Look at the following slides and see what messages might be portrayed, intentionally messages might be portrayed, intentionally and and unintentionallyunintentionally…..…..
Also track your own personal reactions to Also track your own personal reactions to each of these images, and try to reflect on each of these images, and try to reflect on the reasons for your reactionsthe reasons for your reactions
Diverse Theological MessagesDiverse Theological Messages
What might be the artist’s theology in each What might be the artist’s theology in each of these artistic renditions of the Last of these artistic renditions of the Last Supper?Supper?
AND can this use of moral “imagination” AND can this use of moral “imagination” spark other images which might open up spark other images which might open up further insights….further insights….
Repeating the QuestionsRepeating the Questions
Do these slides have any special claim, coming Do these slides have any special claim, coming out of its cultural context, that should shape any out of its cultural context, that should shape any legitimate Christian imagination of the Last legitimate Christian imagination of the Last Supper?Supper?
Has our moral imagination been expanded in any Has our moral imagination been expanded in any way?way?
Are there renditions which are “unacceptable” to Are there renditions which are “unacceptable” to us?us?
Which Images Could Be Normative, Which Images Could Be Normative, Imaginative, or Illegitimate?Imaginative, or Illegitimate?
And so…And so…
What is the essence of the Last Supper for What is the essence of the Last Supper for us?us?
How “legitimate” are diverse expressions of How “legitimate” are diverse expressions of that essence?that essence?
What would count as an illegitimate What would count as an illegitimate expression?expression?
And why?… or Why not?And why?… or Why not?