The Last Supper & Developing The Last Supper & Developing Moral ImaginationMoral Imagination

Insights from Heremenutics, Art and Insights from Heremenutics, Art and Art HistoryArt History

Prepared by James T. Bretzke, S.J.Prepared by James T. Bretzke, S.J.

Boston CollegeBoston College

bretzke@bc.edubretzke@bc.edu

Competing Moral ParadigmsCompeting Moral Paradigms

Only God Can Know the Whole of RealityOnly God Can Know the Whole of Reality Thus for the rest of us this knowledge is Thus for the rest of us this knowledge is

necessarily incomplete and partial, and we tend necessarily incomplete and partial, and we tend to understand complex realities according to to understand complex realities according to models and paradigmsmodels and paradigms

Can we speak of authentic cultural paradigms Can we speak of authentic cultural paradigms for morality and ethics?for morality and ethics?

Necessary Openness to Revision of All Necessary Openness to Revision of All Paradigms—especially in light of new insightsParadigms—especially in light of new insights

Hermeneutical Theory 101Hermeneutical Theory 101

““Classic” text (vs. a “period piece”)Classic” text (vs. a “period piece”) Which has an “excess of meaning” (Which has an “excess of meaning” (Sensus Sensus

plenior plenior in reference to Scripture)in reference to Scripture) Which must be “understood”Which must be “understood” Understanding is always an act of interpretation, Understanding is always an act of interpretation,

involving reading, encountering, and applying a involving reading, encountering, and applying a text by the “reader” in his/her own contexttext by the “reader” in his/her own context

Leading to a “fusion of horizons”Leading to a “fusion of horizons”

Analogical ImaginationAnalogical Imagination

A “classic” text invites the reader into an A “classic” text invites the reader into an alternative world of “imagination” (as alternative world of “imagination” (as distinguished from “fantasy”)distinguished from “fantasy”)

The audience of a true classic is expanded The audience of a true classic is expanded from the “original” audiencefrom the “original” audience

And thus new “imaginations” come into And thus new “imaginations” come into play in interpreting the textplay in interpreting the text

Effective History & Fusion of Effective History & Fusion of HorizonsHorizons

Historical consciousness, the uniquely human way Historical consciousness, the uniquely human way of being, of understanding in our world, and re-of being, of understanding in our world, and re-interpreting events of the past.interpreting events of the past.

The “past” can The “past” can onlyonly be known in the present, and be known in the present, and thus can “shift” its meaningthus can “shift” its meaning

Schneiders’ example of divorced womanSchneiders’ example of divorced woman Thus, no possibility of “one” “correct” view of Thus, no possibility of “one” “correct” view of

history or one “right” reading of a text! history or one “right” reading of a text! Rather, speak of “transformative understanding”Rather, speak of “transformative understanding”

Developing Moral ImaginationDeveloping Moral Imagination

Our knowledge of the moral order will be Our knowledge of the moral order will be partial, and at times, imperfectpartial, and at times, imperfect

And also diverse, since our imaginative And also diverse, since our imaginative powers and potential are not identicalpowers and potential are not identical

Imagination vs. Fantasy DistinctionImagination vs. Fantasy Distinction Imagination can be helpful in moral Imagination can be helpful in moral

formation, vision, and support for formation, vision, and support for developing virtues which foster growthdeveloping virtues which foster growth

The Art of Moral ImaginationThe Art of Moral Imagination

What are some of the ways we can come to What are some of the ways we can come to an understanding of both the moral order an understanding of both the moral order and and genuine possibilities for change?genuine possibilities for change?

How can we both How can we both discerndiscern and and actact on these on these “change elements” in our own times?“change elements” in our own times?

How can we learn better to use our moral How can we learn better to use our moral imagination in an “artistic” manner?imagination in an “artistic” manner?

An Exercise in Analogical Moral An Exercise in Analogical Moral ImaginationImagination

Notion of the Analogical Notion of the Analogical ImaginationImagination ala David ala David Tracy & Jesus as the “Concrete Universal” of Tracy & Jesus as the “Concrete Universal” of William SpohnWilliam Spohn

The purpose of this exercise is to consider how The purpose of this exercise is to consider how the “essence” of something might be interpreted the “essence” of something might be interpreted in a variety of different, yet “legitimate” waysin a variety of different, yet “legitimate” ways

In order to begin, stop and visualize for a In order to begin, stop and visualize for a moment in your mind the picture of the Last moment in your mind the picture of the Last Supper…..Supper…..

Perhaps your mental image Perhaps your mental image looks like this picture that hung looks like this picture that hung in our house (an engraving after in our house (an engraving after

Leonardo da Vinci)Leonardo da Vinci)

The “Classic” ImageThe “Classic” Image

The “Classical” Image “Reality”The “Classical” Image “Reality”

The “Historical” ImageThe “Historical” Image

A “Contemporary” Last SupperA “Contemporary” Last Supper

The Medium is the MessageThe Medium is the Message

Sometimes the medium employed carries Sometimes the medium employed carries additional messages within itadditional messages within it

Look at the following slides and see what Look at the following slides and see what messages might be portrayed, intentionally messages might be portrayed, intentionally and and unintentionallyunintentionally…..…..

Also track your own personal reactions to Also track your own personal reactions to each of these images, and try to reflect on each of these images, and try to reflect on the reasons for your reactionsthe reasons for your reactions

Diverse Theological MessagesDiverse Theological Messages

What might be the artist’s theology in each What might be the artist’s theology in each of these artistic renditions of the Last of these artistic renditions of the Last Supper?Supper?

AND can this use of moral “imagination” AND can this use of moral “imagination” spark other images which might open up spark other images which might open up further insights….further insights….

The Betrayal IssueThe Betrayal Issue

The “Seder” Last SupperThe “Seder” Last Supper

A “Mystical” ImageA “Mystical” Image

A “First Communion” ImageA “First Communion” Image

Another “Contemporary” Last Another “Contemporary” Last SupperSupper

Last Supper as Cultural IconLast Supper as Cultural Icon

Last Supper as Social CritiqueLast Supper as Social Critique

Last Supper as CaricatureLast Supper as Caricature

Repeating the QuestionsRepeating the Questions

Do these slides have any special claim, coming Do these slides have any special claim, coming out of its cultural context, that should shape any out of its cultural context, that should shape any legitimate Christian imagination of the Last legitimate Christian imagination of the Last Supper?Supper?

Has our moral imagination been expanded in any Has our moral imagination been expanded in any way?way?

Are there renditions which are “unacceptable” to Are there renditions which are “unacceptable” to us?us?

Which Images Could Be Normative, Which Images Could Be Normative, Imaginative, or Illegitimate?Imaginative, or Illegitimate?

And so…And so…

What is the essence of the Last Supper for What is the essence of the Last Supper for us?us?

How “legitimate” are diverse expressions of How “legitimate” are diverse expressions of that essence?that essence?

What would count as an illegitimate What would count as an illegitimate expression?expression?

And why?… or Why not?And why?… or Why not?

The Rest Is Up To Us…The Rest Is Up To Us…

We We must must use our imaginations, use our imaginations, but but always morally….always morally….