Traditioning As Integration: Rationally Justifying the Practice of Relational Psychoanalysis in Social Trinitarian Theology

This book addresses the task of integrating psychological theory and practice with Christian theology. It begins with an examination of the morality assumed by both a particular psychological theory and practice - relational psychoanalysis - and a particular theological system - social Trinitarian theology. By using the philosophical work of Alasdair MacIntyre, this book attempts to accomplish the following three objectives: First, it demonstrates that Stephen A. Mitchell's particular account of relational psychoanalysis is an example of a moral practice. Second, it demonstrates that Jürgen Moltmann's social Trinitarian theology, as a particular account of Christianity, is an example of a moral tradition. As such, social Trinitarian theology succeeds in rationally justifying its moral constituents whose aims are human flourishing, while relational psychoanalysis, in and of itself, cannot justify its moral assertions. Third, this book offers traditioning as a form of integration and demonstrates that the social Trinitarian account of the Christian tradition can rationally justify the moral assertions of relational psychoanalysis.