Defense Date

11-3-2017

Graduation Date

Fall 1-1-2017

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

dissertation

Degree Name

PhD

Department

Communication and Rhetorical Studies

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Committee Chair

Janie Harden Fritz

Committee Member

Ronald C. Arnett

Committee Member

Richard H. Thames

Keywords

hospitality, welcome, stranger, guest, home, St. Benedict, The Rule of St. Benedict

Abstract

Hospitality is a tradition that has been immersed into all cultures for thousands of years. Philosophically and religiously, it has roots among ancient philosophers and in the Bible. Before the modern technologies and development of the tourism industry, hospitality was found in churches and monasteries. The reciprocal relationship between the host and the stranger give metaphorical meanings to life in general because it is how we treat each other that forms the moral balance in society and gives the human person what is necessary for a healthy and full life. St. Benedict was a man who experienced the benefits of hospitality and also understood the needs of humankind. St. Benedict writes about hospitality in his book, The Rule of St. Benedict. This book was developed in 6th century and is still being used today not just with religious orders, but with lay people as well.

This work bridges The Rule of St. Benedict to the home through hospitality. Hospitality allows for one to merge private and public life by welcoming the stranger into his or her home. However, hospitality is not just an action, but a reflection of the state of mind of the person offering it. Therefore, only an implaced person can offer true hospitality. Through this discovery the research begins to explain how the lack of hospitality is not the cause of less communication, but that the lack of hospitality is the effect of less communication.

Language

English

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