Inhabiting compassion : a pastoral theological paradigm

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Authors

Zylla, Phil C.

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AOSIS Open Journals

Abstract

Inspired by the vision of care in Vincent van Gogh’s depiction of the parable of the Good Samaritan, this article offers a paradigm for inhabiting compassion. Compassion is understood in this article as a moral emotion that is also a pathocentric virtue. This definition creates a dynamic view of compassion as a desire to alleviate the suffering of others, the capacity to act on behalf of others and a commitment to sustain engagement with the suffering other. To weave this vision of compassion as a habitus rather than a theoretical construct, the article develops three phases of compassion: seeing, companioning and sighing. This framework deepens and augments a pastoral theological paradigm of compassion with the aim of inculcating an inhabited compassion in caregivers and the communities in which they participate.

Description

Prof. Dr Phil Zylla is participating in the research project, ‘Gender Studies and Practical Theology Theory Formation’, directed by Prof. Dr Yolanda Dreyer, Department of Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria.

Keywords

Good Samaritan, Compassion, Pathocentric virtue, Suffering, Inhabiting compassion, Parable, Good Samaritan

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Zylla, P.C., 2017, ‘Inhabiting compassion: A pastoral theological paradigm’, HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies 73(4), a4644. https://doi.org/ 10.4102/hts.v73i4.4644.