Keywords
Alcoholism, Authenticity, Alcoholics Anonymous
Abstract
This thesis examines the possibilities of living an authentic life for an alcoholic, both in and out of Alcoholics Anonymous. Authenticity is explored using the existential models put forth by Jean-Paul Sartre and Soren Kierkegaard. Alcoholics Anonymous figures prominently in this analysis. It is suggested that A.A. acts inauthentically in its claims that it is not a religious organization. A.A. creates special problems for female alcoholics because of the sexist and masculinist nature of its primary literature. While A.A. claims that its message is the only way by which an alcoholic can recover, other treatment methods exist. Suggestions are made that A.A. revise its main texts, and two alternative organizations to A.A. are briefly discussed.
Notes
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Graduation Date
2005
Semester
Spring
Advisor
Jones, Donald
Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Office of Liberal and Interdisciplinary Studies
Degree Program
Liberal Studies
Format
application/pdf
Identifier
CFE0000374
URL
http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0000374
Language
English
Release Date
May 2005
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Access Status
Masters Thesis (Open Access)
STARS Citation
Madden, Patricia, "Alcoholism, A.A., And The Challenge Of Authenticity" (2005). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 351.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/351