Bernard Lonergan Transformation
This paper was inspired by the works of Jesuit Father Bernard Lonergan. His method of transformation and its four steps have been used as the foundation for the four chapters in this paper. So before reading the paper, it is important to understand the process that Bernard Lonergan is trying to teach.
The method of transformation is broken down into four simple steps: experiencing, understanding, judging, and choosing. These steps move us to a higher viewpoint, or perspective, that fundamentally shifts how we see the world. Bernard Lonergan argues that these transformations are so profound that people use words like conversion and redemption to describe them.
The steps are exactly what they are described as. The first step being experience
is something everybody goes through multiple times a day. Anything from taking out the trash to surviving a plane crash could be described as one of these experiences. Some of these require immense reflection while others can be disregarded completely. That is the first step to Lonergan's process.
The second step is understanding. Understanding how our experiences have impacted our lives is essential to the process. When we begin to wonder about how our lives have been impacted we can begin to see some of the errors and biases in our thinking. And until we know where these come from, we can never change our ways.
The third step of judging is when we look at the experiences and questions that have been raised and decide whether or not we believe these to be true. If we deny them, we go back to the first step. However, if we accept the conclusion, we move on to the next step.
The last step to Lonergan's process is choosing to act. This is when we make a plan of action and implement it into our daily lives. Upon completion of this step we develop a new perspective on life.
In this paper I went through my most formative experiences in life and reflected on how they made me who I am. In doing so I was able to confirm the things I knew to be true about myself as well as discovering some new things about the Catholic tradition.
The method of transformation is broken down into four simple steps: experiencing, understanding, judging, and choosing. These steps move us to a higher viewpoint, or perspective, that fundamentally shifts how we see the world. Bernard Lonergan argues that these transformations are so profound that people use words like conversion and redemption to describe them.
The steps are exactly what they are described as. The first step being experience
is something everybody goes through multiple times a day. Anything from taking out the trash to surviving a plane crash could be described as one of these experiences. Some of these require immense reflection while others can be disregarded completely. That is the first step to Lonergan's process.
The second step is understanding. Understanding how our experiences have impacted our lives is essential to the process. When we begin to wonder about how our lives have been impacted we can begin to see some of the errors and biases in our thinking. And until we know where these come from, we can never change our ways.
The third step of judging is when we look at the experiences and questions that have been raised and decide whether or not we believe these to be true. If we deny them, we go back to the first step. However, if we accept the conclusion, we move on to the next step.
The last step to Lonergan's process is choosing to act. This is when we make a plan of action and implement it into our daily lives. Upon completion of this step we develop a new perspective on life.
In this paper I went through my most formative experiences in life and reflected on how they made me who I am. In doing so I was able to confirm the things I knew to be true about myself as well as discovering some new things about the Catholic tradition.