In this paper, I aim to celebrate a version of the prophetic imagination that has more in common with storytelling than special knowledge, and more to do with moral character than religious mystery. I find an unlikely model for the prophetic imagination in the character Nick Miller on the television comedy New Girl. In the Season Two episode “Katie,” Nick, who is a bartender, meets a customer who claims to be Nick’s future self. Though Present Nick has every reason to dismiss Future Nick’s authenticity and advice, he is unsettled by their interactions, especially the warning that he’ll hurt main character Jess. Nick apologizes to Jess and takes advance compensatory action (Future Nick tells him to make her an “old fashioned”). The result of Nick’s prophetic insight is a new presumption of care for Jess (he already cares about her). As Nick shows us, the prophetic imagination can help to envision our future selves differently than our current self-narratives might indicate (whether as more short sighted or morally tarnished, or more virtuous and heroic). By opening us up to stories about our futures that are not fully in keeping with our present characters, abilities, and knowledges, the prophetic imagination moves us toward humble self-making and proper care for others.
About the presenterJohn Elia
John Elia is Associate Professor and Thérèse Murray Goodwin ’49 Chair in Philosophy at Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA. His scholarship is focused on social, cultural, and environmental sustainability. John teaches across the philosophy curriculum, with special interests in environmental ethics, bioethics, and business ethics.