Defense Date

3-21-2024

Graduation Date

Spring 5-10-2024

Availability

One-year Embargo

Submission Type

dissertation

Degree Name

PhD

Department

Health Care Ethics

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Committee Chair

Gerard Magill

Committee Member

Joris Gielen

Committee Member

Peter Ikechukwu Osuji

Committee Member

Kristin L. Blair

Keywords

Global Healthcare Ethics, Global Bioethics, Catholic Bioethics, Integral Ecology, Vulnerability, Tenderness, Haiti

Abstract

The defense of the dignity and inviolability of human life has always gained prominence in the doctrine of the Catholic Church. With Pope Francis' concept of integral ecology, Catholic bioethics is expanded to a broader understanding. His vision of integral ecology, global bioethics, and solidarity emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of caring for one another and the planet. It calls us to recognize our common humanity and to work together for the common good by facing the numerous emerging problems of our times, which threaten the dignity of human life and the future life of the biosphere in a global way. The virtues of tenderness and vulnerability are key to the foundation and development of integral ecology, as they help us to recognize and respond to the interconnectedness of all things. They offer a powerful framework for responding with compassion, care and inclusiveness.

Therefore, the thesis of this dissertation is to examine the contribution of Pope Francis’ concept of integral ecology to global bioethics. Chapter 1 presents a brief introduction to the dissertation. Chapter 2 is a brief excursus of the evolution of Catholic bioethics teaching. Chapter 3 presents integral ecology as a new foundation for global bioethics by analyzing its theological foundation and the ethical significance of tenderness, fraternity, solidarity and vulnerability. The subsequent chapters explore the application that integral ecology has on certain topics of global bioethics with a particular focus on Haiti and its recent healthcare crisis. Chapter 4 discusses the application of integral ecology to research with a focus in research priorities in Haiti, and disabilities and genetics. Chapter 5 presents the application of integral ecology to resource distribution with a special focus on water in Haiti and resource allocation during the COVID 19 pandemic. Chapter 6 is a brief conclusion.

Language

English

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