Asceticism

Humility: An Overarching Theme in the Rule of St. Benedict In The Rule of St. Benedict, a large section of the work is devoted to analyzing humility, which seems to run as an overarching theme throughout the work itself. While a focus on all twelve stages of the humility is too large in scope for this assignment, I will be focusing on the fear of the Lord and humility manifest in all facets of life. Prior to analyzing humility, it is important to first define what it is and why it is important.…

Traditionally, monastic rules were written to regulate the lives of monks living in a coenobium (community). The kind of monks that live in communities are called cenobites which are the focus of RB. Their regulation is its purpose. To clarify why RB is written for cenobites, Benedict discusses four types of monks with descriptions of each. The four kinds of monks being: the cenobites, that is those who belong to a monastery, where they serve under a rule and an abbot; anchorites (or…

The basis for Old Testament asceticism was to be set apart from the Gentile nations around Israel. Holiness would be found in the bodily actions of the people of God. In addition, the Church adopted many of the ascetical practices of Judaism. With the persecution of the Church ending, monastic life sprung up. Many sought to grow in their spirituality through bodily discipline. On the other hand, spiritual disciplines can occur without separating oneself from society or even depriving…

Asceticism is very important dimension of the Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist religions. Asceticism indicates a religious life; usually conducted in a community under a common rule and characterized by celibacy and poverty and obedience. Asceticism is the practice of self-denial in an attempt to draw closer to God. It may include such controls as fasting, wearing simple or uncomfortable clothing, sleep deprivation, and in extreme forms, and self-mutilation. The act of denying yourself and controlling…

Max Weber is considered one of the fathers of modern sociology. His work continues to influence and confuse today’s best thinkers and writers. His most well-known work, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, is a body of work that is often discussed, argued, and maybe even alt right dismissed by other intellectuals. One of the more interesting lines written by Weber is, In the field of its highest development, in the United States, the pursuit of wealth, stripped of its religious…

further be necessary to investigate how Protestant asceticism was in turn influenced in its development and its character by the totality of social condition, especially economic” (125). This phrase really dumbfounded me at first. If Capitalistic forces did indeed animate Protestant asceticism, would not his thesis be shattered? This line of inquiry begs the question of what actual influence did ‘the calling’ and Calvinism have over Protestant asceticism and its relationship with modern…

Julian of Norwich, in her Revelations of Divine Love, synthesizes the asceticism which had permeated the Roman Catholic Church from its earliest history with the philosophical advancements made by Saint Thomas Aquinas only one hundred and fifty years before her. She does this seamlessly and almost certainly unintentionally, demonstrating that the philosophical developments of Saint Thomas Aquinas were familiar concepts to her such that they shaped her mystic religious view. Despite the…

fewer distractions to interfere with the search for happiness and meaning. Being applied by various people through different means, it has proven to be a fruitful lifestyle since it reveals truth to those who search for it. The role of isolation, asceticism, and solitary nature in humanity’s search for truth is to provide refuge from the distractions of temporal goods. Before delving into the opinions of the works discussed in class, the definition of truth should be established. According to…

Unlike utility, the principle of asceticism approves of any action that diminishes happiness. Asceticism can be divided by two kinds the psychological(moralists) and the religious. The former holds the more moderate view in which they don’t view pain as necessarily bad. This theory was reached with evidence that some…

Throughout Nietzsche’s On The Genealogy of Morality, he takes a speculative trip throughout time to determine the drastic change in the morals of society. In his analysis he address the ascetic ideals as the bedrock that lead to the ultimate change of society to slave morality from master morality. The ascetic ideals also set up a vicious cycle to spread the “sickness” throughout the population. Nietzsche notes that a key problem of the ascetic ideals is it’s infectious nature. The best…