The figure of the monk as the ideal of a liturgical life?: perspectives from political philosophy and liturgical theology

This article investigates some salient features of the fascination for the monk in contemporary scholarship. Interestingly, the figure of the monk has attracted the attention of authors engaged in fields as diverse as political philosophy and liturgical theology, clearly without referring to one ano...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of philosophy and theology
Main Author: Geldhof, Joris 1976- (Author)
Format: Electronic/Print Article
Language:English
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Published: Taylor & Francis [2016]
In: International journal of philosophy and theology
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Fagerberg, David W. 1952- / Agamben, Giorgio 1942- / Monasticism / Way of life / Liturgy / Citizen of a country / Political philosophy
RelBib Classification:KCA Monasticism; religious orders
NCD Political ethics
RC Liturgy
VA Philosophy
Further subjects:B lex credendi
B Monasticism
B Giorgio Agamben
B Political Philosophy
B lex orandi
B Asceticism
B David W. Fagerberg
B Formation
B Liturgical Theology
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:This article investigates some salient features of the fascination for the monk in contemporary scholarship. Interestingly, the figure of the monk has attracted the attention of authors engaged in fields as diverse as political philosophy and liturgical theology, clearly without referring to one another. On the one hand, the much talked-about Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben discusses the liturgical heritage of Western civilization to better understand the mechanisms behind modern politics and economy. In that context, he sees the monk as someone in whom rules and life have become indistinct. On the other hand, liturgical theologian David W. Fagerberg extensively deals with the monk in his groundbreaking study on liturgical asceticism. He seems to make a similar point as Agamben: the monk exemplifies not simply obedience to rules but embodies the very life a Christian is supposed to live. This article compares both frameworks of thought to see whether the one can be used to critically evaluate the other and to propose some reflections about (liturgical and civil) formation.
ISSN:2169-2327
Contains:Enthalten in: International journal of philosophy and theology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/21692327.2016.1224197