Vulnerability and Solidarity: An Improbable Connection

Abstract

Most disability theologians consider vulnerability the cornerstone of personal transformation and the development of inclusive communities. For them, being aware of one’s vulnerability is synonymous with learning to show solidary with others, especially persons with disabilities. The article argues that while this can be the case, it is not the rule. Being vulnerable can also lead people to individualistic and selfish behavior. What makes the difference is the a priori ethical framework in which people interpret vulnerability and not vulnerability itself. To make this argument, the article draws on two Eastern Orthodox sources: Savatie Baștovoi and Maria Skobstova.

Keywords:

• Disability
• Maria Skobtsova
• Savatie Baștovoi
• vulnerability

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 The editors of the volume Vulnerability: New Essays in Ethics and Feminist Philosophy (2013) distinguish between inherent, situational, and pathological vulnerability (Mackenzie et al., 2013, pp. 7–10) . In this article, I will speak about situational vulnerability.

2 For Mother Maria’s life see: (Forest, 2003; Hackel, 1981; Ladouceur, 2008b, 2008a).

3 One could argue that mother Maria also manifested solidarity towards the Russian workers when she was a Marxist who lost her faith. However, Paul Ladouceur challenges this narrative, pointing out to some of the poems mother Maria wrote during 1914–1916 and who have very strong Christian overtones (Ladouceur, 2008b, pp. 472–474).