Title: Sobering wisdom : philosophical explorations of twelve step spirituality /
Authors: Miller, Jerome A., 1946-
Year: 2014
Subjects: Religion Philosophy; Twelve-step programs Religious aspects
Abstract: Originally developed by Alcoholics Anonymous, the Twelve Step program now provides life direction for the millions of people worldwide who are recovering from addiction and undergoing profound personal transformation. In Sobering Wisdom, Jerome A. Miller and Nicholas Plants offer a unique approach to the Twelve Step program by exploring its spirituality from a philosophical point of view. Drawing on a variety of philosophical perspectives including naturalism, Buddhism, existentialism, Confucianism, pragmatism, and phenomenology, the contributors to this volume address such questions as the relation of personal responsibility to an acknowledgment of powerlessness, the existence of a "higher power," and the role of virtue in recovery. Ranging in tone from deeply scholarly to intensely personal, their essays are written in an accessible way for a broad audience that includes not only philosophers, spiritual directors, and addiction counselors but also those involved in Twelve Step programs whose lives are being transformed by the experience. -- from back cover.
Contents: Introduction: A meeting place for philosophy and twelve step spirituality -- Part One: Facing powerlessness, experiencing empowerment -- Being powerless to change: The wisdom of the first step / J. Jeremy Wisnewski -- Powerlessness and responsibility in twelve step narratives / Mary Jean Walker -- Vulnerability, addiction, and recovery / Corbin Casarez -- Addiction and tears / Jerome A. Miller -- Part Two: A power greater than oneself? -- An inclusive spirituality? Naturalism in the twelve step tradition / Gerald Cantu -- Atheism and twelve step spirituality / Sean McAleer -- Transcending the power struggle: Relating to the infinte / Joseph Arel -- "Ordinary" spirituality: One Buddhist approach to imperfection / Wamae Muriuki -- Part Three: Recovering selfhood -- The sober addict: A God brought low by grace / Jason Danner -- Paradoxes of authenticity in twelve step spirituality / Nicholas Plants -- Is twelve step spirituality compatible with autonomy? Foucault, "Care of the self," and spiritual surrender / Russell Anderson -- Part Four: "I can't, we can": The role of others in recovering selfhood -- Being-Together-Toward recovery / Stuart Grant -- Friendship, accountability, and mutual growth in virtue / John Houston -- Get over yourself: Self-transformation in the Confucian and twelve step traditions / Mary K. Riley -- Part Five: Transforming virtue: Taking a moral inventory of twelve step spirituality -- The virtues of the twelve steps / Matthew Pianalto -- Stoic philosophy and AA: The enduring wisdom of the serenity prayer / Morgan Rempel -- Realizing gratitude / S. E. West.