Open AccessThomas Merton: The true self and the quest for justice
Author(s) -
Susan Rakoczy
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
hts teologiese studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.282
H-Index - 15
eISSN - 2072-8050
pISSN - 0259-9422
DOI - 10.4102/hts.v72i4.3447
Subject(s) - value (mathematics) , compassion , trace (psycholinguistics) , economic justice , philosophy , sociology , environmental ethics , social justice , psychoanalysis , epistemology , law , psychology , theology , political science , linguistics , machine learning , computer science
The year 2015 marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Merton who was born on31 January 1915. His writings cover diverse themes, which are of value to a myriad of faithtraditions. This article will trace his understanding of holiness and the way in which Mertonemphasised participation in the transformation of the world. It commences with a biographicaloverview of Merton and then Merton’s understanding of ‘holiness’ as growth of the ‘true self’in God is discussed. His work as social critic is outlined and the article ends with a reflectionof Merton’s understanding of ‘love’ and ‘compassion’ – a life before God