The Thomistic Institute
Honorable Festivity: An Oxymoron? | Prof. Michael Foley
Nov 27, 2024
Michael Foley, a Catholic theologian and Professor of Patristics at Baylor University, dives into the concept of 'honorable festivity.' He discusses how dining transcends mere sustenance, linking it to cultural and divine significance through the Eucharist. Foley also highlights modern challenges like the decline of family meals and ethical dilemmas in agriculture, advocating for personal engagement and charity. He explores the moral complexities of food consumption, emphasizing gratitude and respect in our eating practices.
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Quick takeaways
- Human dining experiences elevate the act of eating into a cultural event, intertwining physical needs with social interaction and meaning.
- The decline of family dinners and socioeconomic segregation present challenges to honorable festivity, affecting relationships and diminishing communal dining's unifying power.
Deep dives
The Human Transformation of Appetite
Humans transform basic biological appetites, such as hunger, into a more profound cultural experience. Unlike animals, which fulfill their basic needs without reflection, humans elevate eating to a dramatic social event, often filled with etiquette and performance. This act of dining merges our physical needs with high-level activities like conversation and sharing ideas, creating a unique cultural tapestry around meals. The evolution of eating reflects a desire for meaning beyond mere sustenance, leading to sophisticated dining experiences that enhance our connection with one another.
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