Table of Contents

Preface

1 Addiction and Disease--Science, Philosophy, and Theology
Defining Addiction Neurologically
Assessing Risk Genetically
Treating Addiction Medically
Science, Philosophy, and Theology

2 Addiction and Incontinence--Resources in Aristotle
The Paradox of Addiction
Addiction and Incontinence
Sources of Incontinence

3 Addiction and Habit--Resources in Aquinas
Aquinas on Habit
Habit as a Mediating Category
Kinds and Causes of Habit
Addiction as Habit

4 Addiction and Intemperance--Sensory Pleasures and Moral Goods
Complex Habits
Addiction and Intemperance

5 Addiction and Modernity--The Addict as Unwitting Prophet
Aristotle on Habit and Happiness
Modern Arbitrariness
Modern Boredom
Modern Loneliness

6 Addiction and Sin--Testing an Ancient Doctrine
Sins, Sin, and Original Sin
Sin, Addiction, and Voluntarism
Sin as a Religious Category

7 Addiction and Worship--Caritas and Its Counterfeits
Immanence and Transcendence
Aquinas on Charity
Addiction and Charity
Addiction as a Way of Life

8 Addiction and the Church?The Gospel and the Hope of Recovery
Addiction and Worship
The Church and the Hope of Recovery
Recovery and Friendship
Addiction as Prophetic Challenge

Index

About the Author

Kent Dunnington is assistant professor of philosophy, Greenville College. He holds the Ph.D. in philosophy from Texas AM, and the M.T.S. in theology from Duke University.

Reviews

"This would be a good read for those of you who want to explore more deeply the true nature of addiction, are unhappy with the disease or choice models as explanations, and, in the face of the limiations of the recovery movement, want to be encouraged by the veritable contributions of Christianity."
*Linda S. Parker, Dharma Deepika, July-December 2012*

"Addiction and Virtue sets the stage for a new scene in the church, where she is no longer dulled and distracted by a secular vision of happiness, but is a vibrant, attractive, and welcoming community of 'repentant sinners.'"
*Paul Warhurst, Themelios 37.1*

"Dunnington's work neither demonizes the addicted person nor excuses the abuse of alcohol and drugs. But it points the way toward compassion for the individual, transformation of the culture (including the church), and recovery through the fullness of the Christian gospel."
*Amy Julia Becker, Christianity Today, September 2011*