Ecclesiastes 3:1-15: Reconciling Abjection Within Confinium

Date of Graduation

Summer 2006

Degree

Master of Arts in Religious Studies

Department

Religious Studies

Committee Chair

Victor Matthews

Abstract

We derive meaning in Ecclesiastes through a process of abjection—by removing anomie from the synthesis of nomic and/or anomic forces that are irreconcilable. We, as readers, remove the capricious and chaotic anomic pressures of perceived reality to achieve meaning within life; which is reified in the guise of dogma and ethics. These standards are used to qualify meaning within a process of reification supplied by the reader. Meaning is found within the confinium of separate spheres of influence competing for voice.

Keywords

abjection, Ecclesiastes, confinium, wisdom literature, reader response

Subject Categories

Religion

Copyright

© Robert R. Schafer

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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