At the Roots of Christian Bioethics: Critical Essays on the Thought of H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr — Ana Smith Iltis (Author), Mark J. Cherry (Author)
Book published: December 31, 2009
Filed under 2009, Books, New and Notable, Recently Published
At the Roots of Christian Bioethics explores Professor H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr.’s pursuit for the decisive ground of the meaning of human existence and knowledge of appropriate moral choice. Engelhardt has been the most influential, cogent, but critical voice within bioethics of the past several decades. The essays in this volume compass epistemological, methodological and topical contributions to bioethics, political theory, and Christian theology. Each explores Engelhardt’s diagnosis of the contemporary social and cultural crisis, seeking to make sense of the decidedly post-Christian and often openly anti-Christian ethics that dominates public morality and politic policy.
Each author investigates Engelhardt’s personal and tireless enquiry to secure ultimate moral foundations as well as to recognize the full implications of the results of his investigations: that Christian bioethics does not originate in human reason but in the command of God.
The book should be read by bioethicists, philosophers, religious scholars, public policy experts, and the Orthodox faithful.
Review
This volume is indispensable for anyone who wishes to understand the fabric of the contemporary phenomenon of bioethics. –Stephen A. Erickson, E. Wilson Lyon Professor of Humanities and Professor of Philosophy, Pomona College, Claremont, CA
Tris Engelhardt has done more than any other figure in contemporary bioethics to bring the resources of the entire history of philosophy to bear on the ethical issues that emerge from contemporary biomedicine. His views are always provocative and frequently ground-breaking. These essays provide a fresh look at many of the themes he has explored throughout his career. Highly recommended for those who want to come to terms with the views of this giant of contemporary bioethics. –David Solomon, W.P. and H.B. White Director of the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture
