Embracing Our Complexity : Thomas Aquinas and Zhu Xi on Power and the Common Good.

Intro -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- Tensions Timeless and Contemporary -- Introduction to Zhu Xi and Thomas Aquinas -- Zhu Xi -- Thomas Aquinas -- Thomas and Zhu in Conversation -- Methodology -- Chapter Outline -- The Wider Context -- Conclusion -- Chapter 1 An Objectively Moral Universe -- What's Your Proof? Limitations of the Scientific Model -- A Different Way of Thinking: The Mind of Faith -- Thomas Aquinas-Faith Informed by Reason, Reason Informed by Faith -- Zhu Xi-An Intellectually Rigorous Faith -- Thomas and Zhu in Conversation -- An Ontological Morality -- Zhu Xi's Ontology -- Thomas Aquinas's Ontology -- Conclusion -- Chapter 2 Intelligent Agents with Moral Potential -- Self-Interested Actors and Selfless Comrades -- Intelligent Agents with Moral Potential -- Zhu Xi's Human Being: In Need of Communal Assistance -- Thomas Aquinas's Human Being: In Need of Grace -- Conclusion -- Chapter 3 Roles, Rituals, and Habits: The Proper Development of the Human Being -- Roles -- Social Roles and the Human Person -- Cosmic Roles and the Human Person -- A Methodological Issue -- Development of the Self -- Zhu Xi and Socialization -- Thomas Aquinas and the Virtues -- Fulfilling the Role -- Zhu Xi: Assisting the Universe -- Thomas Aquinas: Bringing About the Good of All -- Conclusion -- Chapter 4 Exercising Authority -- The Government and the Common Good -- Sacred Calling for Human Beings in General to Exercise Authority -- Zhu Xi: The Human Endowment -- Thomas Aquinas: The Power of Reason and Intellect -- The Exercise of Authority by Particular Individuals Within the Human Community -- Zhu Xi and the Need for Social Hierarchy -- Thomas Aquinas and the Need for a Ruler -- Qualifications for Leadership -- Zhu Xi: The Moral Model -- Thomas Aquinas: Prudent Lawmaker -- Conclusion -- Chapter 5 Limiting Authority.

The Contemporary Distaste for Humility -- Zhu Xi and Thomas Aquinas on Humility -- Zhu Xi: A Virtue or Not? -- Thomas Aquinas: Definitely a Virtue -- Humility Grounded in Finite Nature and Knowledge -- Zhu Xi and the Way -- Thomas Aquinas and God -- Humility in Community -- Zhu Xi and Social Inferiors -- Thomas Aquinas and Revelation -- Humility and Authority -- Zhu Xi and the "Mere Fellow" -- Thomas Aquinas and the Tyrant -- Conclusion -- Conclusion: The Virtue of Humble Authority -- Dealing with Reality -- Engaging with Diversity, Engaging with Paradox: The Virtue of Humble Authority -- The Complexities of Life -- The Desire for Simplicity -- Lessons for the Contemporary World -- Facing the Truth(s) -- Defending Cultural Comparison -- Message for a Pluralistic Society -- Humble Authority in Action -- Justice, Love, and Wonder -- Do We Really Need Religious Belief? -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.

Using the thought of Christian thinker Thomas Aquinas and Neo-Confucian Zhu Xi, explores how to exercise and limit authority.

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Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2024. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.