Moral Discernment in History

Abstract

The concept of moral discernment is often used to describe the inspired decision-making of a conscientious Christian, but Pope Francis uses it relationally in terms of accompaniment and often enough, more broadly than an individual’s choice. Rather, he suggests that bishops and their local churches ought to morally discern how they should settle issues addressing contemporary pastoral challenges. This article argues that in its history, moral discernment was a social practice used in a variety of relational ways to determine a pathway for living out the summons of the gospel.

Pope Francis on Conscience, Gradualness, and Discernment: Adapting Amoris Laetitia for Business Ethics

“…Finally, the notion of discernment provides an account of moral reasoning that goes beyond both formal models of decision making and most philosophical accounts of practical reasoning. Discernment draws attention to the importance of properly describing one’s actions and the need for the solidarity and recognition of others (Keenan, 2018), in order to avoid one-sided, self-serving action descriptions. Through an acceptance of one’s fallibility and by paying attention to one’s experiences and especially the experiences of weaker parties, those Francis (2013a: 14) calls “the poor,” one can gain a better sense of how relevant moral principles can be appropriately embodied within specific contexts.…”

“…An additional theme developed in AL that has the potential to further narrow the gap between objective moral principles and actual business practice is discernment. Discernment is not a particular method or formal procedure; instead, it refers to a process of reasoning that is oriented by solidarity and recognition of the humanity of others (Keenan, 2018;Gula, 1997) and sensitivity to the context of action, especially Business Ethics Quarterly 448 as this is revealed through one's emotions and experiences (Nussbaum, 1992) and as an acknowledgement of one's fallibility. Thus, Francis states that "discernment is dynamic; it must remain ever open to new stages of growth and to new decisions which can enable the ideal to be more fully realized" (2016: 333).…”

Restoring Social Trust: From Populism to Synodality

“…Acts 15 is the founding experience of the synodal church, where communal, synodal discernment was first practiced by expressing the movement of the Spirit. 90 The Dutch Jesuit Jos Moons, who has argued for a renewed understanding of the Holy Spirit, 91 writes that "synodality recontextualizes the bishop's responsibility by situating it within the community of the faithful. In addition, as the Holy Spirit is the main actor in the synodal process, all the faithful, including bishops, have to listen to what He is saying, a task that requires discerning the spirits."…”