Description
Book SynopsisChristian Faith, Justice, and a Politics of Mercy: The Benevolent Community assumes that the most profound moral conflict today is between two virtuesjustice and mercy. Gilman argues that the two are organically linked through the common experience of compassion. In an unjust world, justice cannot establish itself, but requires, in public as well as private life, projects of merciful benevolence. Mercy alone has the power to subvert patterns of injustice, and mercy and projects of benevolence are tailored to establish and sustain patterns of justice, especially fair economic outcomes. To show this, against Rawl's Difference Principle, Gilman argues for a Distribution Principle, which states that social and economic inequalities should be addressed by policies that directly and primarily benefit the least advantaged members of society, while at the same time minimizing burdens and/or maximizing benefits for the most advantaged. Along the way he shows how in the United States benevolence
Trade ReviewGilman’s argument is impressive in both its breadth and detail. * Journal of Church and State *
Clear, careful, and balanced. I know of no other book which so well integrates theories of justice with a treatment of mercy, compassion, and benevolence as actually necessary to achieve justice. It is a very fresh take on the topic. -- John A. Coleman S.J., University of San Francisco
This book powerfully advocates for the reestablishment of benevolence in both private and public life. “Mercy trumps justice,” and only mercy as benevolence can redeem either our heart or our society from prior injustices. Insightful and innovative. -- Ted Peters, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
This is an impressive, erudite, yet easily understood argument that the idea of mercy as benevolence has been privatized in American political thinking and subordinated to the idea of justice in much Christian ethical reasoning—with unfortunate consequences for our public wellbeing. It prompts a greatly needed discussion for generations to come. -- Edward LeRoy Long Jr., Drew University
Simply put, Gilman’s wide-ranging, highly lucid account of “merciful benevolence” is a must read! By disclosing the interpretive range and power of one of the most underappreciated ethical categories in our time, it makes an original contribution to the field of Christian Ethics. Perhaps more significantly, it re-frames wider discourse about how we ought to treat one another. -- Jack A. Hill, Texas Christian University
Table of ContentsTable of Contents Preface Chapter 1: Re-enfranchising Benevolence Part I: Philosophical Inquiry Chapter 2: Benevolence as a Private Virtue Chapter 3: Benevolence as a Public Virtue Part II: Theological Inquiry Chapter 4: Benevolence and Justice Chapter 5: Benevolence and Mercy Chapter 6: Benevolence and Compassion Part III: Moral Integrity Chapter 7: Benevolence as Historical Praxis Chapter 8: Benevolence and a Politics of Mercy
