Description
Book SynopsisMaria Duffy describes Paul Ricoeur's narrative theory of memory and addresses central conceptual and methodological issues in his theory of forgiveness and reconciliation. As the many Truth Commissions around the world illustrate, revisiting the past has a positive benefit in steering history in a new direction after protracted violence. A second deeper strand in the book is the connection between Ricoeur and John Paul II. Both lived through the worst period of modern European history (Ricoeur a prisoner of war during WWII and John Paul, who suffered under the communist regime). Both have written on themes of memory and identity and share a mutual concern for the future of Europe and the preservation of the 'Christian' identity of the Continent as well as the promotion of peace and a civilization of love. The book brings together their shared vision, culminating in the award to Ricoeur by John Paul II of the Paul VI medal for theology.
Trade Review'I find Duffy's conception of Ricoeur's 'narrative pedagogy of pardon' - complete with a narrative arc of memory - brilliant in capturing but also applying Ricoeur's enduring contribution to a world broken by war and violence." -Dr Pamela Sue Anderson, Reader in Philosophy of Religion, University of Oxford, UK
Table of ContentsForeword; 1. Introduction; 2. Situating Narrative: Philosophical and Theological Context; 3. Ethical Being: The Storied Self as Moral Agent; 4. Pedagogies of Pardon in Praxis; 5. Towards a Narratives Pedagogy of Reconciliation; 6. Riceour's Legacy: A Praxis of Peace; Notes; Bibliography; Index.
