Bioethics and the Character of Human Life: Essays and Reflections
Ebook
Overview
In the essays collected here Gilbert Meilaender invites readers to reflect upon some of the bioethical issues that are important for all of us. The essays treat bioethics less as a discipline confined to a few experts than as a deeply humanistic set of concerns that inevitably draws us into religious and metaphysical issues. From reflections on his experience as a member of the President's Council on Bioethics to the way in which Christian trinitarian teaching has shaped what it means to be a person, from life's beginning to its ending, these essays offer readers a chance to think about matters of fundamental human significance.
“How should we think about astonishing advances in biotechnology
that have outpaced reflection on their implications for what it
means to be human? There is no better guide through the maze of new
issues than these wise, humane, and theologically informed essays
by Gilbert Meilaender.”
—Mary Ann Glendon, Harvard Law School
“Gilbert Meilaender is arguably one of the most insightful and
clear-minded bioethicists of our era. This collection only serves
to reinforce that status. Every chapter is a pleasure to read and a
treasure-trove of wisdom.”
—Brent Waters, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
“Throughout this superb collection of essays, Professor Meilaender
applies his profound understanding of the human condition to urgent
questions in bioethics. Drawing deeply from the Christian
tradition, he traces with exceptional skill the ways our beliefs
shape our choices and demonstrates our need for a genuine vision of
human flourishing that promotes human dignity from the beginning
until the end of life. Thankfully, these essays give us such a
vision, and we are fortunate to be in his debt.”
—Lauris Kaldjian, University of Iowa College of Medicine
“Bioethics and the Character of Human Life brings together
an interesting and thought-provoking collection of essays. As is
typical of his work over the years, Meilaender’s reflections are
characterized by analytical insight, candor, and theological
attentiveness to deeply important ethical matters. Those of us
interested in these issues must grapple once again with an
important and enduring voice in the field of bioethics.”
—Patrick T. Smith, Duke Divinity School
Gilbert Meilaender taught at the University of Virginia, at
Oberlin College, and at Valparaiso University, where he is now
Senior Research Professor. The author of many books and articles in
theological ethics and bioethics, he served from 2002 to 2009 on
The President’s Council on Bioethics.