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Mystical God-Forsakenness and the Ethics of Solidarity

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Ethics and Metaphysics in the Philosophy of Edith Stein

Part of the book series: Women in the History of Philosophy and Sciences ((WHPS,volume 12))

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Abstract

This paper investigates important links between the Carmelite mystical tradition that Stein investigates phenomenologically in “Science of the Cross” and the broader mystical theology investigated Edith Stein’s “Ways to Know God.” Set in the context of her life and other work, these links offer opportunities to understand the normative implications and demands that impinge upon anyone who enters this “most sacred darkness.” What emerges from an encounter with the dark night of the soul is an ethics of solidarity. Through an understanding of “surrender” that remains illuminative and valuable in our time, Edith Stein emphasizes that it is not merely the carrying of the cross that offers redemption, but the analogous crucifixion and seemingly God-forsakenness of the dark night that enables real solidarity between persons and, ultimately, with God.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    See Posselt (2005), gleaning 16 from Chap. 20, p. 336.

  2. 2.

    For example, Thomas Aquinas’s classic distinction between these forms of living in ST IIa IIae Q. 179–182.

  3. 3.

    James (1981, 158). See John 19:38.

  4. 4.

    For example, the 2016 conference in Limerick, entitled “Wrestling with Angels? Practical Theology as Spiritual Practice,” Toine van den Hoogen (2014), Peterson (2005), and Nava (2001).

  5. 5.

    Petry (1952, 3); as cited in Egan (2001, 93).

  6. 6.

    Egan, ibid. It is interesting to note that Egan (2001) cites Petry (1952), who himself cites numerous other authors whose work spans the late nineteenth and earlier twentieth century, demonstrating the persistence of this dialectic.

  7. 7.

    See Stein (2002a, 373), where the pure-I is said to be able to move freely among the mansions. Hereafter cited as FEB.

  8. 8.

    Koeppel (1990, 168).

  9. 9.

    See also FEB 444 (7.9.4).

  10. 10.

    Stein (1989, 11).

  11. 11.

    See Teresa d’Avila, Autobiography, cf. 8.5, 11.20, 14.1.

  12. 12.

    See Stein (2014), Letters 117, 120, and 159, for example.

  13. 13.

    See Gregory of Nyssa, Life of Moses, §46 and surrounding.

  14. 14.

    Stein (2002b, 33, 66); cf. Pseudo-Dionysius, Mystical Theology I.1; John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount Carmel 2.8.6.

  15. 15.

    Stein (2000, 87); cf. Exodus 19; and Pseudo-Dionysius, Mystical Theology 1.3.

  16. 16.

    WKG 106.

  17. 17.

    SC 32.

  18. 18.

    Stein (1992, 102).

  19. 19.

    SC, 90.

  20. 20.

    SC, 165.

  21. 21.

    SC, ibid. Cf, WKG 106.

  22. 22.

    SC, 99.

  23. 23.

    SC, 107.

  24. 24.

    SC, 120.

  25. 25.

    SC 121.

  26. 26.

    SC, 30.

  27. 27.

    SC 121–122.

  28. 28.

    One is reminded also of Plato’s allegory of the Cave, in that the light of true day initially blinds and causes pain.

  29. 29.

    FEB 446.

  30. 30.

    FEB 446–447.

  31. 31.

    Stein, The Hidden Life, 21.

  32. 32.

    Stein, The Hidden Life, 28. *Ama et fac quod vis.

  33. 33.

    For more on Stein’s understanding of individuality and vocation, see especially Borden (2010).

  34. 34.

    Andrews (2016, 381–401, 386). Cf. Conrad-Martius (1960).

  35. 35.

    Mosley (2004), throughout, but see especially pp. 51–52; in the Paulist Press reprinting as Stein (2006), see 48–49.

  36. 36.

    These sentiments were voice in her address to the International Association for the Study of the Philosophy of Edith Stein, given at the June 2017 conference.

  37. 37.

    See Posselt, note 20 on p. 262.

  38. 38.

    Michael Andrews, Keynote Address to the International Association for the Study of the Philosophy of Edith Stein, given on June 8, 2017.

  39. 39.

    John Paul II, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis 38.

  40. 40.

    Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov, part II, Book 6, Chap. 3, Sect. g.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Jacob W. Torbeck

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Correspondence to Jacob W. Torbeck .

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  1. Department of Philosophy, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Italy

    Michael F. Andrews

  2. Department of Philosophy, King’s University College at Western University, London, ON, Canada

    Antonio Calcagno

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Torbeck, J.W. (2022). Mystical God-Forsakenness and the Ethics of Solidarity. In: Andrews, M.F., Calcagno, A. (eds) Ethics and Metaphysics in the Philosophy of Edith Stein. Women in the History of Philosophy and Sciences, vol 12. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-91198-0_4

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