Shadow Sophia

Why do humans who seem to be exemplars of virtue also have the capacity to act in atrocious ways? What are the roots of tendencies for sin and evil? A popular assumption is that it is our animalistic natures that are responsible for human immorality and sin, while our moral nature curtails and contains such tendencies through human powers of freedom and higher reason. This book challenges such assumptions as being far too simplistic. Through a careful engagement with evolutionary and psychological literature, Celia Deane-Drummond argues that tendencies towards vice are, more often than not, distortions of the very virtues that are capable of making us good. After beginning with Augustine's classic theory of original sin, the book probes the philosophical implications of sin's origins in dialogue with the philosophy of Paul Ricoeur. Different vices are treated in both individual and collective settings in keeping with a multispecies approach. Areas covered include selfishness, pride, violence, anger, injustice, greed, envy, gluttony, deception, lying, lust, despair, anxiety, and sloth. The work of Thomas Aquinas helps to illuminate and clarify much of this discussion on vice, including those vices which are more distinctive for human persons in community with other beings. Such an approach amounts to a search for the shadow side of human nature, shadow sophia. Facing that shadow is part of a fuller understanding of what makes us human and thus this book is a contribution to both theological anthropology and theological ethics.

Why do humans who seem to be exemplars of virtue also have the capacity to act in atrocious ways? What are the roots of tendencies for sin and evil? A popular assumption is that it is our animalistic natures that are responsible for human immorality and sin, while our moral nature curtails and contains such tendencies through human powers of freedom and higher reason. This book challenges such assumptions as being far too simplistic. Through a careful engagement with evolutionary and psychological literature, Celia Deane-Drummond argues that tendencies towards vice are, more often than not, distortions of the very virtues that are capable of making us good. After beginning with Augustine's classic theory of original sin, the book probes the philosophical implications of sin's origins in dialogue with the philosophy of Paul Ricoeur. Different vices are treated in both individual and collective settings in keeping with a multispecies approach. Areas covered include selfishness, pride, violence, anger, injustice, greed, envy, gluttony, deception, lying, lust, despair, anxiety, and sloth. The work of Thomas Aquinas helps to illuminate and clarify much of this discussion on vice, including those vices which are more distinctive for human persons in community with other beings. Such an approach amounts to a search for the shadow side of human nature, shadow sophia. Facing that shadow is part of a fuller understanding of what makes us human and thus this book is a contribution to both theological anthropology and theological ethics.

The official companion title for the premiere of the Netflix series, launching globally in November 2023! At Unicorn Academy, Sophia can't wait to discover her destiny and become a Unicorn Rider. First, she must bond with Wildstar to unlock the unicorn's magical powers. But evil Queen Ravenzella wants to destroy Unicorn Island, the academy and its unicorns. Will Sophia and her new friends have the courage to fight to protect everything they love?

Through a careful engagement with evolutionary and psychological literature, this study argues that tendencies towards vice are, more often than not, distortions of the very virtues that are capable of making us good.

The official companion title for the premiere of the Netflix series, launching globally in November 2023! Meet Sophia and her very own magical unicorn, Wildstar, as they ride into a world of magic and adventure! At Unicorn Academy, Sophia can't wait to discover her destiny and become a Unicorn Rider. First, she must bond with Wildstar to unlock the unicorn's magical powers. But evil Queen Ravenzella wants to destroy Unicorn Island, the academy and its unicorns. Will Sophia and her new friends have the courage to fight to protect everything they love?

Through a careful engagement with evolutionary and psychological literature, this study argues that tendencies towards vice are, more often than not, distortions of the very virtues that are capable of making us good.

Sophia's Table has emerged from the first contemplative writing series I offered. Four women writers joined me for what was to be a six-week series. At the completion of the series, they decided to continue on a monthly basis for six months, then again, and once again. The work became more personal as the women's trust deepened into friendship over the course of the year in which they shared their stories. All of us have found writing to be central to leading healthy, balanced lives; to gaining fresh perspective; and to finding meaning and purpose. Each of us has a distinct voice pitched and toned by her unique life experience. Yet Sophia's Table is more than a collection of voices. The production of the book itself is a true collaboration of time and talent, engaging the gifts of each of us to bring the book to publication.

In this Element atheists cite animal pain as compelling evidence against the existence of the loving God portrayed in the Judeo-Christian Bible. William Rowe, Paul Draper, Richard Dawkins and others claim widespread unnecessary suffering exists in nature and challenge theism with the Evidential Problem of Natural Evil. This Element engages the scientific literature in order to evaluate the validity of those claims and offers a theodicy of God's providential care for animals through natural pain mitigating processes.