A Critique of Pope John Paul II's Approach to the Role of Fundamental Option in Human Perfection
This study examines Pope John Paul II's approach to the concept of the "fundamental option" in relation to human perfection within Catholic theology. The fundamental option theory posits that an individual's general inclination towards good signifies their soul's perfection...
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| Format: | Article |
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University of Isfahan
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Comparative Theology |
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| Online Access: | https://coth.ui.ac.ir/article_29307_0ed08120bcf88ef7ce05883be6ede571.pdf |
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| author | Mohajer Mahdavi rad Syed Akbar Hosseini Qala Bahman |
| author_facet | Mohajer Mahdavi rad Syed Akbar Hosseini Qala Bahman |
| author_sort | Mohajer Mahdavi rad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examines Pope John Paul II's approach to the concept of the "fundamental option" in relation to human perfection within Catholic theology. The fundamental option theory posits that an individual's general inclination towards good signifies their soul's perfection and status before God, asserting that specific sins do not alter this fundamental orientation. While Pope John Paul II acknowledges the fundamental option, he rejects some of its implications. This study employs a descriptive-analytical method, drawing upon authoritative texts of the Catholic faith and the Pope's own statements to analyze his perspective. The results of the research reveal that Pope John Paul II's acceptance of the fundamental option is rooted in the importance of following Christ, adhering to fundamental principles, and the role of reason and free will in achieving perfection. However, he raises significant objections, including concerns about disregarding free will, diminishing ethical responsibility, ethical relativism, alienation, and inconsistencies with core Catholic teachings. Ultimately, the study argues that the Pope's approach faces challenges, such as overlooking the cumulative effects of sins, the uncertainty of conscience, and the incompatibility of predetermination with ethical responsibility and free will, suggesting a lack of full reconciliation between his principles and the theory of the fundamental option. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1b0cda7bd05b4bd1b2f3441c0aa42394 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2008-9651 2322-3421 |
| language | fas |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | University of Isfahan |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Comparative Theology |
| spelling | doaj-art-1b0cda7bd05b4bd1b2f3441c0aa423942025-08-20T03:07:32ZfasUniversity of IsfahanComparative Theology2008-96512322-34212025-05-0116112914610.22108/coth.2025.140181.187129307A Critique of Pope John Paul II's Approach to the Role of Fundamental Option in Human PerfectionMohajer Mahdavi rad0Syed Akbar Hosseini Qala Bahman1Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Marine Sciences and Techniques, Khorramshahr, IranAssociate Professor, Department of Religions, Imam Khomeini Research Institute, Qom, IranThis study examines Pope John Paul II's approach to the concept of the "fundamental option" in relation to human perfection within Catholic theology. The fundamental option theory posits that an individual's general inclination towards good signifies their soul's perfection and status before God, asserting that specific sins do not alter this fundamental orientation. While Pope John Paul II acknowledges the fundamental option, he rejects some of its implications. This study employs a descriptive-analytical method, drawing upon authoritative texts of the Catholic faith and the Pope's own statements to analyze his perspective. The results of the research reveal that Pope John Paul II's acceptance of the fundamental option is rooted in the importance of following Christ, adhering to fundamental principles, and the role of reason and free will in achieving perfection. However, he raises significant objections, including concerns about disregarding free will, diminishing ethical responsibility, ethical relativism, alienation, and inconsistencies with core Catholic teachings. Ultimately, the study argues that the Pope's approach faces challenges, such as overlooking the cumulative effects of sins, the uncertainty of conscience, and the incompatibility of predetermination with ethical responsibility and free will, suggesting a lack of full reconciliation between his principles and the theory of the fundamental option.https://coth.ui.ac.ir/article_29307_0ed08120bcf88ef7ce05883be6ede571.pdffundamental optionpope john paul iigracecommitmentperfectionmoral responsibility |
| spellingShingle | Mohajer Mahdavi rad Syed Akbar Hosseini Qala Bahman A Critique of Pope John Paul II's Approach to the Role of Fundamental Option in Human Perfection Comparative Theology fundamental option pope john paul ii grace commitment perfection moral responsibility |
| title | A Critique of Pope John Paul II's Approach to the Role of Fundamental Option in Human Perfection |
| title_full | A Critique of Pope John Paul II's Approach to the Role of Fundamental Option in Human Perfection |
| title_fullStr | A Critique of Pope John Paul II's Approach to the Role of Fundamental Option in Human Perfection |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Critique of Pope John Paul II's Approach to the Role of Fundamental Option in Human Perfection |
| title_short | A Critique of Pope John Paul II's Approach to the Role of Fundamental Option in Human Perfection |
| title_sort | critique of pope john paul ii s approach to the role of fundamental option in human perfection |
| topic | fundamental option pope john paul ii grace commitment perfection moral responsibility |
| url | https://coth.ui.ac.ir/article_29307_0ed08120bcf88ef7ce05883be6ede571.pdf |
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