moral imagination

The phrase 'the moral imagination' emerged in John Paul's writing and speaking following the events of September 11, 2001. In his reflections, he explores the moral imagination as the capacity to imagine something rooted in the challenges of the real world yet capable of giving birth to that which does not yet exist. In reference to peacebuilding, this includes the capacity to imagine and generate constructive responses and initiatives that, while rooted in the day-to-day challenges of violence, transcend and ultimately break the grips of those destructive patterns and cycles. The content in this section comprises reflection on and application of the moral imagination as a collection of individual and collective capacities that together can help guide the epic journey of the pursuit of peacebuilding.

presentation

Peacebuilding Today: An Appeal for the Moral Imagination

A lecture given at Messiah College's Sider Institute on the power of the moral imagination in the turning point of a new Millennium in human history.

2002

presentation

University of Colorado Lecture The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Peacemaking

A lecture on the moral imagination in peacebuilding delivered for the Annual Gottlieb Lecture at the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2003.

2003

podcast

From Polarization to Healing

A conversation on The Growing Edge podcast about conflict dynamics and polarization in the United States and pathways to shift these escalating patterns.

2021

podcast

The Ingredients of Social Courage

A conversation with Krista Tippett and America Ferrera at the inaugural On Being Gathering, exploring the ingredients of social courage and how change really happens in generational time.

2018

podcast

The Art of Peace

A conversation with Krista Tippett exploring themes of the moral imagination, arts-inspired peacebuilding, and music and poetry in healing and reconciliation.

2010

interview

Developing the Capacity to Birth Something New

An interview in contribution to the Leadership Conference of Women Religious Winter 2020 issue of Occasion Papers entitled Leading with the Moral Imagination.

2020