Addiction and Virtue
Book Description
When traditional approaches to understanding addiction fall short, where do we turn for deeper insight? Kent J. Dunnington challenges the prevailing medical and behavioral models that dominate addiction discourse, arguing that neither the disease framework nor the choice-based perspective fully captures the complex reality of addictive experience.
In this thoughtful exploration, Dunnington draws upon the wisdom of classical philosophers Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas to construct a more nuanced understanding of addiction's nature. Rather than reducing this human struggle to simple categories, he offers a philosophical and theological lens that honors both the depth of the challenge and the dignity of those who face it.
The author's vision extends beyond individual recovery to examine addiction as a cultural phenomenon that reveals something profound about our contemporary moment. This broader perspective positions addiction not merely as a personal affliction but as a mirror reflecting deeper societal patterns and spiritual realities.
For those involved in ministry and church communities, Dunnington provides practical guidance for supporting individuals struggling with addiction. His interdisciplinary approach bridges ancient wisdom with modern understanding, offering fresh perspectives for counselors, clergy, and anyone seeking to comprehend addiction through a spiritual framework.
This work invites readers to reconsider fundamental assumptions about human behavior, virtue, and the path toward healing, presenting addiction as both a personal and prophetic concern worthy of our deepest theological reflection.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~5 hours)
📄 Length: 197 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Alcoholism
- ✓ Explore Habit breaking
- ✓ Explore Behavior modification
- ✓ Explore Church work with drug addicts
- ✓ Explore Christianity
- ✓ Explore Compulsive behavior
- ✓ Explore Church work with recovering addicts
