The purpose of this blog is to discuss chapters 10 and 17 of Jesus Before Christianity in comparison with John 6:1-15 of the Bible and our everyday life -- including media.
There is much correlation that can be found between Chapter 17 portrayal of Jesus and the therapists’ interaction with Will in Good Will Hunting. The first two therapist are quite authoritative, the exact opposite of Jesus. The first tells Will exactly what he must do, ordering him to refrain from all, “shenanigans, tomfoolery, and ballyhoo”. The second attempts to take over his mind through hypnosis and in that method, get through to Will. Both of these attempts fail miserably and Will remains indifferent to all attempts to help him. It is Sean that truly has an effect on him. Sean does not take an authoritative stance but tries to enable Will to discover himself. Through his questioning, he enables Will to be open to discovering the truth of his life. Like Albert Nolan’s observation of Jesus, Sean’s insight was, “an intuitive and self-authenticating experience”. He is compassionate to Will whereas the other two therapists were really indifferent and cold. Compassion, as described by Nolan, is the basis to all truth, as evident in Good Will Hunting.
I agree with Megan that Sean was different than the other therapists because he was compassionate and that his insight was "self-authenticating." Furthermore I believe that the relationship between Sean and Will was like that of Jesus and his followers because Sean would not give up on Will and because Sean was empathetic -- he knew suffering just as Jesus knew suffering. Later on in the film Sean tells Will that he was beaten as a child as well and that the bad stuff wasn't his fault. However I would venture to disagree with megan and say that it was Sean's empathy, rather than his compassion that brought him and Will close together, this is because towards the end when Will finds out that Sean was beaten, that is when he finally breaks down and cries in front of Sean.
After having watched the movie, I feel that there was an equal amount of compassion and empathy that caused the progression/ development of the relationship between Will and Sean.
There is much correlation that can be found between Chapter 17 portrayal of Jesus and the therapists’ interaction with Will in Good Will Hunting. The first two therapist are quite authoritative, the exact opposite of Jesus. The first tells Will exactly what he must do, ordering him to refrain from all, “shenanigans, tomfoolery, and ballyhoo”. The second attempts to take over his mind through hypnosis and in that method, get through to Will. Both of these attempts fail miserably and Will remains indifferent to all attempts to help him. It is Sean that truly has an effect on him. Sean does not take an authoritative stance but tries to enable Will to discover himself. Through his questioning, he enables Will to be open to discovering the truth of his life. Like Albert Nolan’s observation of Jesus, Sean’s insight was, “an intuitive and self-authenticating experience”. He is compassionate to Will whereas the other two therapists were really indifferent and cold. Compassion, as described by Nolan, is the basis to all truth, as evident in Good Will Hunting.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Megan that Sean was different than the other therapists because he was compassionate and that his insight was "self-authenticating." Furthermore I believe that the relationship between Sean and Will was like that of Jesus and his followers because Sean would not give up on Will and because Sean was empathetic -- he knew suffering just as Jesus knew suffering. Later on in the film Sean tells Will that he was beaten as a child as well and that the bad stuff wasn't his fault. However I would venture to disagree with megan and say that it was Sean's empathy, rather than his compassion that brought him and Will close together, this is because towards the end when Will finds out that Sean was beaten, that is when he finally breaks down and cries in front of Sean.
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ReplyDeleteAfter having watched the movie, I feel that there was an equal amount of compassion and empathy that caused the progression/ development of the relationship between Will and Sean.
ReplyDelete