<<The>> seductiveness of virtue Abraham Joshua Heschel and John Paul II on morality and personal fulfillment

"John J. Fitzgerald addresses here one of life's enduring questions - how to achieve personal fulfillment and more specifically whether we can do so through ethical conduct. He focuses on two significant twentieth-century theologians - Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Pope John Paul II - seeing both as fitting dialogue partners, given the former's influence on the Second Vatican Council's deliberations on the Jews, and the latter's groundbreaking overtures to the Jews in the wake of his experiences in Poland before and during World War II. Fitzgerald demonstrates that Heschel and John Paul II both suggest that doing good generally leads us to growth in various components of personal fulfillment, such as happiness, meaning in life, and freedom from selfish desires. There are, however, some key differences between the two theologians - John Paul II emphasizes more strongly the relationship between acting well and attaining eternal life, whereas Heschel wrestles more openly with the possibility that religious commitment ultimately involves anxiety and sadness. By examining historical and contemporary analyses, including the work of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, the philosopher Peter Singer, and some present-day psychologists, Fitzgerald builds a narrative that shows the promise and limits of Heschel's and John Paul II's views."--Bloomsbury Publishing. John J. Fitzgerald addresses here one of life's enduring questions - how to achieve personal fulfillment and more specifically whether we can do so through ethical conduct. He focuses on two significant twentieth-century theologians - Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Pope John Paul II - seeing both as fitting dialogue partners, given the former's influence on the Second Vatican Council's deliberations on the Jews, and the latter's groundbreaking overtures to the Jews in the wake of his experiences in Poland before and during World War II. Fitzgerald demonstrates that Heschel and John Paul II generally suggest that doing good leads us toward various components of personal fulfilment, such as happiness, meaning in life, and freedom. There are, however, some key differences between the two theologians - John Paul II emphasizes more strongly the relationship between acting well and attaining eternal life, whereas Heschel wrestles more openly with the possibility that religious commitment ultimately involves anxiety and sadness. By examining historical and contemporary analyses, including the work of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, the philosopher Peter Singer, and the field of positive psychology, Fitzgerald builds a narrative that shows the promise and limits of Heschel's and John Paul II views Cover Half-title Title Copyright Contents Preface to the Paperback Edition Acknowledgments Permissions List of Abbreviations Introduction The question Authors Primary sources Assumptions Overview of chapters 1. The Meaning of Our Question Happiness Meaning Freedom Personal fulfillment Good and evil Doing 2. Heschel and the “Joys of the Mitsvah” The search for meaning as universal and worthwhile “The problem of needs” “A commitment to Jewish law” “The difficulties of moral living” 3. John Paul II and the Good We Must Do to Have Eternal Life The search for meaning as universal and worthwhile “If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments” “If you wish to be perfect . . . sell your possessions . . . then come, follow me” “With God all things are possible” 4. “Seeking What is True and Good”: A Comparison and Contextualization Similarities and differences The historical context: The influence of Aristotle, Maimonides, Aquinas, and Kant The contemporary context: The work of the fourteenth Dalai Lama, Peter Singer, and present-day psychology Evaluating Heschel and John Paul II in light of these contexts Conclusion: In defense of interworldview and interdisciplinary dialogue on our question Bibliography Index Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Permissions -- List of Abbreviations -- Introduction -- The question -- Authors -- Primary sources -- Assumptions -- Overview of chapters -- Chapter 1 The Meaning of Our Question -- Happiness -- Meaning -- Freedom -- Personal fulfillment -- Good and evil -- Doing -- Chapter 2 Heschel and the "Joys of the Mitsvah"--The search for meaning as universal and worthwhile -- "The problem of needs"--"A commitment to Jewish law" -- "The difficulties of moral living" -- Chapter 3 John Paul II and the Good We Must Do to Have Eternal Life