Dependence as a social sickness and the problem of synergy in overcoming dependence: some aspects of theology and medicine

The present article discusses problems in the theology of synergy relevant to the 20th and 21st centuries, in particular, the aspect that concerns the collaboration of the Church and medicine in the process of curing dependence in individuals and society. As part of this discussion, both specific and general topics in theology are addressed: the tendency toward increasing entropy, including also in the social dimension; the irrational nature of dependence and sin; pathological equilibrium of dependent systems, both people and societies; the paradox of the anergetic, mutual dissociation in activity both of nature and inter-hypostatic being; synergy and time; synergy and the potential for healing from dependence, and the participation of neighbor and society in this process. The article also considers the problems of freedom, authority and coercion in the context of synergy as well as pathologies arising out of a perversion of these principles and other topics. Using examples taken from these topics, the article describes a correlation between medical practice (both general medicine and curing dependence in particular, most importantly, alcohol dependence as the most powerful form) and the theology of the Church.