Social Selves and Political Reforms: Five Visions in Contemporary Christian Ethics

by C. Melissa Snarr

Publisher:

T&T Clark

, 2007

Christian ethicists from a wide spectrum of methods and commitments come together in arguing for some kind of social conception of the self, noticing that convergence sheds new light on the current range of theoretical options in Christian ethics. But it also opens up an important conversation about political reform. Social visions of the self help ethicists comprehend and evaluate the moral work of institutions--comprehension that is especially important in a time of crisis for democratic participation. But not all visions of the social self are equal. Snarr's book explores and evaluates five different visions of the social self from five key ethicists (Rauschenbusch, Niebuhr, Hauerwas, Harrison, and Townes). It identifies insights and risks associated with each vision of the self and considers the adequacy of each vision for reforms that deepen democracy. The book concludes with a proposal for six core convictions about the social self that help form Christian political ethics able to respond to contemporary needs for democratic reform.

Features

Identifies the social self as a foundational normative and theological concept for contemporary Christian ethics
Classifies and evaluates different visions of of the social self in contemporary Christian ethics through the analysis of five key Protestant ethicists
Includes an appraisal of feminist and womanist Christian ethicists as political ethicists.
Proposes six anthropological convictions that encourage Christian ethicists to analyze the material conditions and institutional frameworks that form citizens and politicians.

Contents

Chapter 1: Politics and Christianizing the Social Self
Chapter 2: Walter Rauschenbusch and Organizing the Social
Chapter 3: Reinhold Niebuhr and Social Anxiety
Chapter 4: Stanley Hauerwas and the Church Social
Chapter 5: Beverly Harrison and Radical Sociality
Chapter 6: Emilie Townes and the Socially Resilient Self
Chapter 7: Socializing Christian Political Ethics

Praise for Social Selves and Political Reforms

The main strength of C. Melissa Snarr's book Social Selves and Political Reform is her focus on the social self. By focusing on this underutilized concept within ethical theory, Snarr is able to steer clear of any false dichotomy between the individual and the community - the self is always already a social being that cannot be understood atomistcally (as a self-sufficient individual) nor as a component of a larger sociological entity. As a result, her analysis gains a significant social complexity that is often overlooked by other liberal political theorists...Social Selves and Political Reform is a wonderful resource to establish some very clear parameters with regard to politico-ethical anthropologies. It is clear, insightful, and a great starting pint for any budding ethicist.

Snarr's work provides a definite service to those interested in the intersection of a social anthropology and political agency, especially in the United States and Protestant contexts. Since this reviewed is convinced of the centrality of a social anthropology for social issues and is familiar with the Roman Catholic traditions, I found her assessment, critique and link to political life helpful, insightful and valuable reading.

Insightful comparisons made by Snarr about the concepts of the social self held by these thinkers make this book a significant contribution to the field... one of its goals is to motivate Christian ethicists to examine more carefully the problems of their own political systems an to speak out on reforms that are greatly needed. In addition, Snarr addresses questions that may help church leaders who are interested in encouraging congregations to become more politically engaged.

Product Details

• Title: Social Selves and Political Reforms: Five Visions in Contemporary Christian Ethics
• Author: C. Melissa Snarr
• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Print Publication Date: 2007
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9780567495778, 9780567026033, 0567026035, 0567495779
• Resource ID: LLS:9780567495778
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-12T03:47:52Z

About C. Melissa Snarr

Professor Snarr’s writing, teaching, and community involvements center on the intersection of religion, social change and social/political ethics. She teaches courses ranging from “Modern Christian Political Thought” and “Religion and War in an Age of Terror” to “Religion and Social Movements.” Her work employs a variety of methodologies within Christian social ethics, comparative ethics (focused on Islamic political thought), philosophical ethics, and sociological theory that continually place the construction of normative commitments in conversation with socio-historical context. Her most recent book, Social Selves and Political Reforms, focuses on Christian views of moral formation and their affect on political engagement. Her current book project (and activist engagement) explores the role of gender and religion in the U.S. living wage movement. She has also published generally in the area of feminist theological ethics. Before coming to Vanderbilt, Professor Snarr directed the Ethics and Servant Leadership program at the Center for Ethics at Emory University (a program connecting ethics and leadership studies). Prior to that, she worked with the Youth Theological Initiative at Emory, a national center for practicing theology and social engagement with youth.