Philosophical Reflections on Self-Worth and Self-Love
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 20332556 |
|---|---|
| Authors | David K Clark (Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls, Georgia, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1985 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 3-11 |
| Publication date | 1985-03-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Psychology and Theology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0091-6471 • E-ISSN: 2328-1162 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/009164718501300101 |
| OpenAlex | W2793548403 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 1 |
There is both good and evil in the biblical view of the human self. But because of the biblical emphasis on human sin, the importance of positive self-love is sometimes overlooked. This article seeks to resolve this tension by distinguishing “worthy” (which we are not) from “worthful” (which we are). If we are worthy, we merit salvation; if we are worthful, we are worth saving but not deserving. If we are worthy, grace is unnecessary; if we are worthful, grace is necessary. Worthiness implies pride; worthfulness implies humility. This worthfulness is grounded in the image of God. Though “love your neighbors as yourself” does not prove we ought to love ourselves, the need for positive self-concepts is evidenced by the gifts of providence and atonement. Nygren's argument that agape creates value rather than recognizing value in us is interpreted in light of the worthy/worthful distinction. Finally, the interplay of pride and humility is discussed in light of this distinction
Agape · Argument (complex analysis) · Atonement · Epistemology · Humility · Pride · Psychoanalysis · Self · Self-knowledge · Theology · Value (mathematics) · Philosophical Ethics and Theory · Philosophy · Psychology · Social Psychology · Theology and Philosophy of Evil · War, Ethics, and Justification
| Citations per year | 0.11 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 1988 - 2001 (14) |
| Highly cited | No |