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Tyler Sinks
9/24/00
TH 100-9

Ignatius of Loyola and Effective Criticism



This major idea of the course has more than one name. In Zanzig it was referred to as effective criticism. In our spiral it was known as critical consciousness. Lastly, as a Jesuit ideal it is called Discernment (of spirits), but the meaning in all is the same. It means to understand, contemplate, and debate an idea or a situation to identify and distinguish the best choices. A way a young man may utilize this idea is to take something that has been learned-from whomever-and turn it over inour mind. They would take it and question it, reflect upon it, and they may find that something just reflected upon may change their former thoughts on that particular topic. It may also be distinguished as an idea that simply leads to the Jesuit ideal of desolation-by realizing this the depression and movement away from God that would normally occur would never take place, and so on. By reflecting and having a critical consciousness,someone takes one more step toward becoming more of a man for others, a Jesuit, and an Insignis.

Ever since Ignatius's metanoia, he would always utilize discernment. Especially after wrestling with himself at Manresa he would reflect and determine his best choice. Because a ship wasn't available and the Pope advised against it, Ignatius never followed his original plan to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. After contemplation and being open to God's will he realized that this was not be so. Also once the Society of Jesus was allowed by Pope Paul III and a leader needed to be elected, Ignatius initially declined. Only later, after identifying the real truth-that he was to be the general-did he accept. To get to this state of consciousness, he made a series of mistakes prior. He did not think of himself as general of the Society of Jesus first. But by making this mistake and not being reflective, he learned to not do it again. This must also be the way anyone else pursues this ideal of discernment: only through trial and error will the real ability to sift within oneself and identify the best choice be attainable.

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