A Phenomenological Reading of Pope Francis’ Encyclical « Laudato si’ » through Jean-Luc Marion’s Account of the Saturated Phenomenon

Abstract

This essay identifies and articulates some phenomenological thoughts implicit in Pope Francis’ celebrated encyclical on nature Laudato Si’. Careful attention to the nuances of Francis’ statements on nature reveals layers of multi-disciplinal ideas, including phenomenology. Thus, it inferentially establishes his thoughts' proximal connection to the phenomenological tradition. However, I do not claim that he directly engages with phenomenology. However, it is not an impossible conjecture. Using Jean-Luc Marion’s account of the saturated phenomenon, I try to show that some of Pope Francis’ articulated views resonate with Marion’s phenomenological insights. It leads me to infer that the encyclical’s discursive scope is first broader than what has been thought. Second, in this more general scope, we find in Francis a well-informed multidisciplinary ‘thought train’ that leads him to engage in a meaningful dialogue with various disciplines within and outside theological-religious discourse. Third, it shows that Marion’s saturated phenomenon is wide-ranging beyond its identifiable niche in phenomenological inquiry, like Francis’s thoughts in his encyclical on nature.

Keywords: phenomenology, saturated phenomenon, integral ecology, Laudato Si’, eco-phenomenology