He, Q.
Avowal or Obedience: Foucault on the Solution to the Dilemma of Examination of Conscience and Its Influences
(2023) Logos and Pneuma – Chinese Journal of Theology, 2023 (58), pp. 169-195.
Note: This article is in Chinese
Abstract
Michel Foucault analyzed the ideas of John Cassian, a Church Father who lived in the 4th century. His interpretation focused on Cassian’s doubt concerning the authenticity of the examination of conscience, practiced by monks during their ascetic life, and Cassian’s solution to this. However, using the theory of imperfection proposed by Anthony Manicki as our perspective, we would propose that Foucault has overemphasized the role of avowal in his interpretation. and at the same time, he has underestimated the role of obedience. However, on the positive side, Foucault’s biased interpretation has inspired many new theological studies on Cassian, as well as proposed a new starting point for further research on Cassian’s understanding of the hermeneutics of the self, the avowal and the test. © 2023, Logos and Pneuma Press. All rights reserved.
Author Keywords
Avowal; Examination of Conscience; Obedience; Test; Theory of Imperfection
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