Los principios del cambio: La reforma carmelita de Teresa de Ávila y las ideas de la gestión del cambio

Kristina R. Olsen

Este libro se basa en los principios de gestión del cambio organizacional para examinar la reforma de la Orden Carmelita de Teresa de Ávila en el siglo XVI. Durante los últimos veinte años de su vida, Teresa abordó los problemas que vio en los monasterios carmelitas de su época, incluida la administración ineficaz, el hacinamiento y la laxitud en las prácticas espirituales. Al volver al propósito original y la Regla escrita de los fundadores carmelitas, Teresa lanzó una reforma de la Orden Carmelita utilizando principios similares a los que se aplican en la gestión del cambio y la adopción de tecnología de la información (TI) de la actualidad. Este libro examina su reforma a la luz de la teoría y la práctica de la gestión del cambio, con el fin de arrojar luz sobre lo que hizo que su reforma fuera exitosa y cómo se podría aplicar su enfoque a la gestión del cambio en las organizaciones espirituales y seculares de hoy.

Paperback $14.95 | Kindle $9.99

Testimonios

“Para contrarrestar la idea de que los santos y los místicos son ajenos a la vida cotidiana, la Dra. Kristina Olsen, en Principles of Change: Teresa of Avila’s Carmelite Reform and Insights from Change Management muestra a Teresa de Ávila muy implicada en el tratamiento de los problemas relacionales y la resistencia a la reforma en las comunidades carmelitas que fundó. La espiritualidad es una disciplina interdisciplinaria, pero Olsen lleva los estudios de espiritualidad en una nueva dirección al recurrir al campo de la administración de empresas. Lo que surge es una apreciación mucho más rica del talento de Teresa de Ávila, ya que Olsen destaca el talento de la mística para la gestión y la reforma de las organizaciones. La resonancia entre los esfuerzos contemporáneos para motivar a la gente a adoptar las nuevas tecnologías y el enfoque de Teresa para invitar a sus monjas a la reforma es sorprendente. Esta obra innovadora es una importante contribución a los estudios teresianos”. – Raymond Studzinski, O.S.B., Ph.D., Director, Programa de Doctorado en Espiritualidad, Escuela de Teología y Estudios Religiosos, Universidad Católica de América

“Este es un libro sorprendentemente oportuno que nos enseña cómo el conocimiento y la religión han convivido durante siglos. El libro describe convincentemente cómo Teresa utilizó lo que podríamos llamar ‘principios de cambio organizativo’ para realizar cambios importantes en los monasterios carmelitas. Teresa abordó problemas no muy diferentes a los nuestros hoy en día: gestión incompetente, moral laxa, falta de dirección clara. La Dra. Olsen muestra cómo las estrategias que empleó Teresa pueden utilizarse, y se utilizan, para animar a los trabajadores a adoptar y aceptar las nuevas tecnologías. Eso incluye fomentar una actitud favorable tanto a la tecnología como al cambio, viendo los beneficios de adoptar la nueva tecnología. La autora se basa en los estudios sobre el “comportamiento planificado”, la gestión de la resistencia, la innovación y la “aceptación”. La Dra. Olsen conoce su temática. Durante varios años, ha enseñado la espiritualidad carmelita y otras materias en el Colegio y Seminario de los Santos Apóstoles en Cromwell, CT. Sus estudios de Doctorado en Administración de Empresas culminaron con su disertación sobre “El papel de la actitud en la aceptación y adopción de la tecnología de la información”. Principles of Change muestra que el liderazgo, el conocimiento y la espiritualidad pueden ser compatibles. De hecho, pueden ser justo lo que la sociedad necesita hoy en día”. – James P. Gelatt, Ph.D., Profesor, Doctor en Administración de Empresas, Universidad de MD Global Campus

Sobre la Autora

OTHER ACADEMIC BOOKS

Rational Responses to Skepticism: A Catholic Philosopher Defends Intellectual Foundations for Traditional Belief

by Dennis Bonnette, Ph.D.

Following an avalanche of spirited criticism from skeptics, agnostics, and atheists, who have provided forceful intellectual attacks against Thomistic philosophy and Catholic apologetics – including objections posed by naturalism and contemporary analytic philosophy, Dr. Bonnette has assembled a collection of his most salient articles containing a reasoned defense of the Catholic faith. These articles are organized within this book into sections that (1) demonstrate the weaknesses of today’s philosophy of naturalism, (2) defend epistemological certitudes and metaphysical universal principles, (3) study man — the unique spiritually-souled animal, (4) prove God’s existence, (5) examine God’s nature, (6) solve the problem of evil, (7) defend natural law ethics, and finally, (8) rationally examine various revealed realities — from Adam and Eve to modern-day miracles. A must-read for Catholics who want reasoned responses to common criticisms of classical theism and their faith.

Paperback: $29.95 | Kindle: $9.99

SOME SAMPLES OF SKEPTICAL QUESTIONS THIS BOOK ADDRESSES:

1. Who needs philosophy when natural science explains everything?
2. Why follow a Christian philosophy based on a refuted ancient physics?
3. Does not biological evolution eliminate ancient belief in “universal forms?”
4. Since apes can learn sign language, what is so special about humans?
5. Does not Newton’s principle of inertia eliminate the need for a First Mover?
6. Who needs a “God,” when the Cosmos simply has its own reality and laws?
7. If God is all good, why does he allow and even cause evil in the world?
8. Is not the God of classical theism simply a pile of incoherent properties?
9. How can an eternally-unchanging God create a constantly changing world?
10. How can the triune God of Christians avoid amounting to polytheism?
11. How can the Adam and Eve myth comport with hominid evolution’s fact?
12. How can the Virgin Mary really answer all those Catholic prayers to her?
13. How can Christian belief comport with possible rational space aliens?

TESTIMONIALS

“Well-trained in Thomistic epistemology and metaphysics, Bonnette is able to apply calm and rational responses to those who raise questions about the existence of God, the freedom of the will, the essential difference between humans and animals, and the possibility of miracles.” – Dr. Robert Fastiggi, Professor of Dogmatic Theology, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit, MI

“Dr. Dennis Bonnette’s work has had a very large impact — everything he writes gets noticed — no doubt due to his unwavering commitment to orthodoxy. Rational Responses to Skepticism is a true contribution to Catholic thought.” – Matthew Levering, James N. Jr. and Mary D. Perry Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

OTHER CATHOLIC ACADEMIC BOOKS

After Justice: Catholic Challenges to Progressive Culture, Politics, Economics and Education

by Thomas A. Michaud, Ph.D.

In recent decades in the United States, various derivative forms of Progressivism have emerged that manifest its lack of philosophical cohesion and authoritarian proclivity, such as:

1) Postmodernism, which was actually anti-Modernism with its rejections of Rationalism, Scientific Positivism and any traditional-based metaphysics and ethics;

2) Authoritarian Politically Correct and Cancel Culture standards of moral righteousness; and,

3) Woke mentality that employs social and mainstream media to transform the “people” into a conformist, hive-minded ruling mob.

This book demonstrates in an Augustinian manner how contemporary Progressivism, to its own detriment, has become a political ideology and can no longer be considered a political philosophy.

Paperback: $19.95 | Kindle: $9.99

REVIEW

Hancock, Curtis. (2023, Feb. 1). “The Catholic Challenge to Progressivism.” The Postil Magazine. To read the review, click here.

TESTIMONIALS

“What kind of Catholics are needed in modern politics? Considering Thomas Michaud’s book After Justice: Catholic Challenges to Contemporary Culture, Politics, Education and Economics, one can argue that modern politics especially needs Catholics of intelligence and virtue. For only an intelligent Catholic will recognize the fact that the contemporary political forum is under the spell of Progressivism, giving preference to opinion over truth, positive law over natural law, and ideology over philosophy. In turn, only a virtuous Catholic will be able to oppose the power of Progressive nominalism, conventionalism, and manipulation in the most ethical and effective way. With Michaud’s book comes the hope that the intelligence and virtue that make up Catholic ethos will also make it possible to protect current and future culture, politics, education, and economics against the disastrous consequences of Progressivism.” – Fr. Paweł Tarasiewicz, Ph.D. – Adler–Aquinas Institute, Colorado Springs, Colo., USA

“Thomas A. Michaud’s After Justice is a collection of the author’s articles focused on issues fundamental to understanding Western culture, including philosophy, religion, politics, democracy, leadership, education, rhetoric, and economics. Michaud explains these issues, pointing to their threats occurring in contemporary reality, as well as showing the deep context of philosophical transformations taking place in these areas of culture. He explains in a very perceptive way the causes of the phenomena discussed, which include nihilism, relativism, progressivism, atheism, liberalism, individualism, collectivism, and totalitarianism. The problems explored here are fundamental and eminently practical issues, both for humanity itself and for our culture.  The path we take in explaining them, however, is extremely important. It must be an authentic philosophical cognition, which is built on the search for knowledge of the ultimate truth about the meaning of human life, as well as reality as a whole. This cognition, which is essentially at the service of the truth and respect for the human good, offers the chance to reveal and overcome the evils of various errors and ideologies. Such is the very rich philosophical perspective that this book presents to us.” – Dr. Habil. Imelda Chłodna-Błach, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin

“Tom Michaud is a genuinely unforgettable character. He has a certain American quality in strength of character and voice, and yet these qualities are complemented by a graceful and dexterous imagination, a razor-sharp intellect, and an irrepressible sense of humor. These talents combine to make him an arresting storyteller, with a talent for perceiving in ordinary events grounds for extraordinary narrations. Dr. Michaud is also an accomplished academic of international renown. He is a philosopher’s philosopher because he loves the truth, fortified by the conviction that reason and realism are necessary conditions to find the truth. As a lover of reason, he also explores truth in Christian teachings, recognizing, as did Aquinas, that reason is faith’s best friend. This book is both an intellectual treasure and a remedy for our deformed times, especially for those who hope for the triumph of justice.” – Professor Dr. Hab. Piotr Jaroszyinski, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thomas A. Michaud, Retired, Dean, School of Professional Studies and Professor of Philosophy, West Liberty University (WLU) earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from Marquette University and his B.A. (Honors) from Fairfield University (CT). He has taught at Wheeling Jesuit University, Marquette University, Mount St. Mary’s University (MD), Siena University (NY), and Rockhurst University (Kansas City, MO). His international experience includes a Smith Fellowship for the Husserl Archives at the University of Louvain (Leuven), Belgium, a Senior Fulbright Lectureship for the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the inaugural lecturer for the Rev. Jacek Woroniecki Memorial English Language Lectures in Philosophy, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland.

Emphasizing his “common sense” approach, he has held seminars in leadership and ethics for many government and civic groups, professional associations, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions (including Duke Univ.’s Fuqua School of Business MBA program). In addition, Tom has designed and delivered extensive leadership ethics education programs for Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Corp., Columbia Gas Transmission Corp., Columbia Gulf Transmission Company, Columbia Natural Resources Corp., Cabela’s Distribution Center and Dermox Corp.

He is the recipient of a WV Humanities Council Research Fellowship, former Director of the WV Business and Professional Ethics Project, a Kettering Foundation Contract Scholar, and a past-President of the Gabriel Marcel Society. He is also past-Vice President of the WV Humanities Council, and a former member of the Executive Council of the American Catholic Philosophical Association.

Besides writing a business ethics and leadership column (1996 to 2007) for The State Journal (WV’s leading business newspaper), he also has regularly written editorials for Nasz Djiennik (a Polish Catholic newspaper). His course text, The Virtues of Business Ethics, is published by Copley Custom Publishing Group, Third Edition, 2010.  His numerous papers, articles and reviews include publications in Philosophy Today, Renascence, The Review of Metaphysics, The Philosophy Research Archives, The lnter-American Review of Bibliography, Studia Gilsoniana, Man in Culture, The Kettering Review, Higher Education Exchange, Studia Philosophiae Christianae, Business Ethics Magazine and Ethics West Virginia. The anthology he edited and introduced, Gabriel Marcel and the Postmodern World, appeared as a special double volume of the Journal of the American Society of Philosophy in the French Language. He was also the Guest Editor for and a contributor to the Gabriel Marcel special issue of The American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly.

Dr. Michaud regularly designed courses for, taught in, developed and implemented various types of non-traditional, accelerated adult degree completion programs.  These include both undergraduate and graduate (Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, MBA, Executive MBA, Master of Professional Studies- MPS) programs. As Dean, Michaud essentially started the WLU School of Professional Studies (SPS), initiating its programs (Bachelor of Leadership and Administration, Professional Studies course concentrations, Master of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership and Justice Leadership) and contributing to the management of the WLU Highlands Center.

OTHER CATHOLIC ACADEMIC BOOKS

Political Science and Saint Thomas Aquinas

by Dr. Donald G Boland

OTHER TITLES BY DONALD G. BOLAND

1. Logic, Science, and St. Thomas Aquinas | En Route Books and Media
2. Natural Philosophy, Modern Science and Saint Thomas Aquinas | En Route Books and Media
3. Science, Psychology and Saint Thomas Aquinas by Donald G. Boland | En Route Books and Media
4. Ethics Today and Saint Thomas Aquinas | En Route Books and Media
5. Natural Law – Australian Style | En Route Books and Media
6. Political Science and Saint Thomas Aquinas | En Route Books and Media
7. Economic Science and St. Thomas Aquinas: On Justice in the Distribution and Exchange of Wealth | En Route Books and Media
8. The Social Encyclicals and Saint Thomas Aquinas | En Route Books and Media
9. Metaphysics, Truth and St. Thomas Aquinas | En Route Books and Media
10. Metaphysics/Ontology and St. Thomas Aquinas (Twenty Readings in Wisdom Forsaken) | En Route Books and Media
11. Thomas of the Creator | En Route Books and Media
12. The Thomist Tradition: Avoiding Scylla and Charybdis | En Route Books and Media

TESTIMONIALS

“The restoration of Aristotle’s Ethics and Politics as the necessary basis of political science is the principal objective of Political Science and St Thomas Aquinas. With this book Dr Boland has provided an excellent exposition of two works of St Thomas Aquinas: his Commentary on the Politics of Aristotle and his work on Kingship. Dr Boland has very skillfully traced the golden thread provided by St Thomas and contrasted it against the theories underpinning modern political science where authentic metaphysics has given way to an all-embracing mathematical quantification of nature, and human psychology has (in the words of Chesterton) degenerated from the study of anthropos to the study of anthropoids. Political Science and St Thomas Aquinas is a most thought-provoking book. To me it serves admirably at the level of human reason and philosophical reflection the papal motto of St Pius X: “to restore all things in Christ.” – Frank Calneggia, author of Assertions and Refutations: An Assessment of Dr Tracey Rowland’s Natural Law: From Neo-Thomism to Nuptial Mysticism  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

OTHER ACADEMIC BOOKS

The Wonder of the Eucharist: More Voices from the Twentieth Century

by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R.

Paperback: $34.99 | Kindle: $9.99

TESTIMONIALS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fr. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R., is Professor Emeritus of the history of moral theology and Christian spirituality at the Alphonsian Academy of the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome and currently serves as The Robert F. Leavitt Distinguished Service Chair in Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore. An American Redemptorist of the Baltimore Province, Fr. Billy has advanced degrees from Harvard University, the Pontifical University of St. Thomas (Angelicum), and the Graduate Theological Foundation. The author of numerous books and articles on a variety of religious topics, he is also active in his order’s retreat apostolate and in the ministry of spiritual direction.

Ethics Today and Saint Thomas Aquinas: A Complete Course on Moral Philosophy for Our Time and All Times

by Dr. Donald G. Boland

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

OTHER ACADEMIC BOOKS