2021 Theses Master's

A Joyful Pursuit of Justice

Kimberg, Daniel

This paper examines the theology of the encounter between two individuals and the ethical opportunity and limitation of the accompaniment which follows. The perspectives of numerous philosophers and theologians are discussed, with primary attention given to Emmanuel Lévinas and Howard Thurman. Through analysis of their collective writing, Thurman’s sermons, and others’ commentary on their scholarship, I develop this thesis: Lévinas’ philosophy on the encounter and proceeding ethical accompaniment with another, when complemented by Thurman’s belief in the irreducible self and a person-role-system framework for political engagement, form the central components of the joyful pursuit of justice.