The Thomistic Institute Human Person, Community, and Communion | Dr. R.J. Snell
Dec 3, 2024
R.J. Snell, Editor-in-Chief of Public Discourse and Director of Academic Programs at the Witherspoon Institute, discusses the crisis of meaning in modern society. He contrasts loneliness and disenchantment showcased in Elena Ferrante's fiction with the Christian vision of personhood rooted in the Trinity. Snell emphasizes the importance of community and storytelling in recovering communion and joy. He advocates for embracing the Sabbath to foster leisure and spiritual enrichment, enriching our lives through meaningful connections and shared experiences.
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Ferrante's Fictional Despair
- Elena Ferrante's fiction explores themes of despair and disenchantment, exemplified by Olga's abandonment and subsequent isolation.
- Trapped in her apartment, Olga faces mounting anxieties, symbolizing the modern struggle with immanence and lack of transcendence.
Disenchantment and Exclusive Humanism
- Modern society lives in a disenchanted world, prioritizing quantifiable goods over qualitative ones.
- This focus on material achievements contributes to widespread loneliness and a sense of existential emptiness.
College Students and Anxiety
- College students, obsessed with achievement, often experience high levels of anxiety and fear of failure.
- This pursuit of success, often at the expense of intellectual curiosity, reflects a broader societal trend.
