“The United States of Narcissism: Reading the Signs of the Times in the Light of Christian Spirituality” Is Theme of Caldwell University Lecture

Caldwell, N.J., Feb. 2, 2017 – “The United States of Narcissism:  Reading the Signs of the Times in the Light of Christian Spirituality” will be the theme of a lecture presented by Dr. Christopher Cimorelli, assistant professor of theology, at Caldwell University. The lecture will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22, in the Alumni Theatre on Caldwell’s campus.

The forum is being hosted by the Theology/Philosophy Department as part of its Sister Maura Campbell lecture series and is free and open to the public.

Recent research suggests a dramatic increase in the prevalence of traits associated with narcissism in the United States. A host of factors, including celebrity worship and the ways in which social media construct views of the self and others, are at play in this increase, which undermines authentic relationships and possibilities for collaboration, says Cimorelli. “Given the dire challenges facing society today, this rise in narcissism represents an underlying obstacle to the common good.”

Cimorelli will argue that narcissism is a spiritual crisis and that resources from the Christian spiritual tradition can illuminate the situation and indicate an alternative, a more sustainable path.

The series is named after Sister Maura, who was a Sister of St. Dominic of Caldwell, a theologian, philosopher, professor, researcher and national leader in education whose scholarship and teaching spanned 50 years.