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Journal Reference

• Journal Title: Christian Ethics: Problems and Prospects

• Volume/Issue: (Volume: Month/Year: 1996, Pages: 134-151)

• Article Author: Margaret A. Farley

• Article Title: The Role of Experience in Moral Discernment

• Imprint: Material protected under Copyright Law (Title: 17 U.S. Code)

Overview of the Book

• Editors: Lisa Sowle Cahill and James F. Childress

• Published by: The Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, Ohio

• Publication Details: © 1996 by Lisa Sowle Cahill and James F. Childress. All rights reserved. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-8298-1136-2 (alk. paper)

Contents

1. Preface

2. Part 1: Shaping Theological Ethics

   • The Bible and Christian Moral Practices - Lisa Sowle Cahill (p. 3)

   • Scripture and Ethics: Practices, Performances, and Prescriptions - Allen Verhey (p. 18)

   • The Reformed Tradition in Theological Ethics - Douglas F. Ottati (p. 45)

   • Tradition, Historicity, and Truth in Theological Ethics - David Hollenbach, S.J. (p. 60)

   • Understanding Moral Meanings: On Philosophical Hermeneutics and Theological Ethics - William Schweiker (p. 76)

   • The Particularist Turn in Theological and Philosophical Ethics - Gene Outka (p. 93)

   • Knowledge of Self and Knowledge of God: A Reconstructed Empiricist Interpretation - William C. Spohn and Thomas A. Byrnes (p. 119)

   • The Role of Experience in Moral Discernment - Margaret A. Farley (p. 134)

Chapter Overview - The Role of Experience in Moral Discernment

• Main Theme: The chapter argues for a distinction between deliberation, which is a rational process of weighing reasons and consequences, and discernment, which involves elements of imagination, affectivity, and a nuanced search for moral options.

• Experience's Role: Experience is identified as essential for both deliberation and discernment; it is crucial in shaping moral understanding by providing context and relevance to ethical decisions.

Understanding Experience in Moral Discernment

• Importance of Experience: Experience is deemed fundamental for all forms of knowledge, with its quality influencing our understanding of morality.

• Meanings of Experience:

  • Direct Apprehension of Reality: This refers to witnessing events firsthand, which provides immediate knowledge and understanding.

  • Accumulation of Knowledge: This involves learning through repeated interactions, demonstrating how familiarity with processes or subjects enhances moral understanding (e.g., technology or personal relationships).

  • Deeper Contextual Insights: Engaging in specific situations provides richer insights that can illuminate moral considerations.

• Contested Significance: The role of experience raises substantial questions in moral discernment - especially in how it intertwines with other authoritative sources.

Sources Influencing Moral Discernment

• Key Sources in Christian Ethics: Experience, scripture, and tradition collectively inform moral discernment, with experience serving as a transformative lens.

• Interpretative Role: Experience is not merely observational; it shapes understanding and influences how scripture and tradition are interpreted, especially through the lens of social and historical contexts.

James Gustafson's Theocentric Ethics

• Central Figure: Gustafson is acknowledged for effectively integrating experience in Christian ethics.

• Prioritization of Human Experience: He emphasizes the priority of human experience as critical in ethical discussions, suggesting that it's the perspective through which scripture and tradition should be viewed.

Experience's Role in Understanding God

• Accessing the Divine: Through various experiences in daily life, humans can gain insights into the divine.

• Reevaluating Symbol Systems: There’s a need to reevaluate traditional Christian symbols to articulate modern experiences of God, acknowledging shifts in understanding and context.

Critiques and Nuance in Gustafson's Theory

• Critiques: Focus on Gustafson’s interpretation of God and the role of experience within the discourse.

• Advocacy for Empirical Data: He proposes a reliance on empirical data and social perspectives in ethical inquiry, highlighting the necessity for ongoing conversations within moral communities.

Feminist Theology and Experience

• Focus on Women's Experiences: Feminist theological ethics underscore the critical importance of women's perspectives and experiences, advocating for their recognition in moral discourse.

• Reformulation of Concepts: Examination of injustices faced by women demands a reconsideration and reformulation of existing theological concepts to create inclusive understandings.

Common Themes in Feminist Theology

• Shared Reliance on Experience: Feminist theology shares emphasis with Gustafson on the significance of experience and context in defining moral norms.

• Engagement of Women’s Voices: Active involvement of women's voices is crucial in reconstructing an understanding of morality that resonates with their lived realities.

Challenges to Authority of Experience

• Evidentiary Basis: Questions arise regarding the evidentiary basis of experience and the universality of its application in ethical discussions.

• Need for Criteria: Emphasis on establishing clear criteria to determine what constitutes authoritative experience in moral discernment.

Experience as a Source of Knowledge

• Enrichment of Moral Understanding: Experience can deepen moral understanding despite facing methodological challenges in its application.

• Diversity in Experience: Encouragement to confront and embrace diversity in human experiences while striving for common moral ground among different perspectives.

Conclusion

• Pivotal Resource: Experience remains a crucial resource for moral discernment.

• Continuing Ethical Dialogue: Ethical dialogue must persist in engaging and exploring diverse experiences, facilitating deeper understanding and contextually relevant morality.