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Jean-Claude Larchet
Translated by Rama P. Coomaraswamy
G. John Champoux
“Regardless of historical period or the nature of society involved. mental illness has always been with us. And even within any given society one often finds contradictory attitudes taken towards the insane. [...]In view of the many problems which current psychiatry faces, the difficulties in understanding, the proper treatment of mental illness, and the manner in which society responds to those afflicted, we shall try to offer some insight into the manner in which early Christians viewed, understood, and treated insanity, and to show the benefits, however modest, that the thought and experience of the early Christians can provide.”
—“Introduction”
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
1 ANTHROPOLGICAL BACKGROUND: THE HUMAN COMPOSITE
Body and Soul
Spirit, Soul and Body
2 INSANITY DUE TO SOMATIC PROBLEMS
3 INSANITY OF DEMONIC ORIGIN
Forms and Causes
Christian Attitudes
Treatment
4 INSANITY OF SPIRITUAL ORIGIN
Mental and Spiritual Illness
First Cause—The Frustration of Desires
Second Cause—Anger
Unmotivated Sadness
Demonic Activity
The Nosology of Acedia
Treating Sadness
Treating Acedia
5 A MOST SINGULAR KIND OF FOLLY—THE FOOL FOR CHRIST
The fool for Christ, the Illiterate, the Simple, and the Innocent
A Simulated Folly
Scriptural Foundations
First Motive: Humility
Second Motive: Detachment From This World
Solitude
The Status of Stranger
Poverty
Third Motive: Charity
Spiritual Presuppositions of Foolishness for Christ
A Call from God or a Personal Vocation Approved by God
An Already Highly Accomplished Spiritual Life
Conclusion
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Patristic Sources
Lives
Studies
Item Number: BKSPP735
Publication Data: Hillsdale, NY: Sophia Perennis, 2005
Format: softcover
Number of Pages: iv + 172
Dimensions (l × w × h): 22.9 cm × 15.3 cm × 1.1 cm
ISBN: 1‒59731‒045‒X
$21.95 (USD)
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