Theological foundations for environmental ethics
Subtitle: reconstructing patristic and medieval concepts
By: Jame Schaefer.
Publisher: Georgetown University Press
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 323
ISBN-13: 9781589012684
Subjects: Fathers of the church; Thomas, -- Aquinas, Saint, -- 1225?-1274; Human ecology -- Religious aspects -- Catholic Church; Environmental ethics; Christian ethics -- Catholic authors
Description: "Earth is imperiled. Human activities are adversely affecting the land, water, air, and myriad forms of biological life that comprise the ecosystems of our planet. Indicators of global warming and holes in the ozone layer inhibit functions vital to the biosphere. Environmental damage to the planet becomes damaging to human health and well-being now and into the future -- and too often that damage affects those who are least able to protect themselves. Can religion make a positive contribution to preventing further destruction of biological diversity and ecosystems and threats to our earth? Jame Schaefer thinks that it can, and she examines the thought of Christian Church fathers and medieval theologians to reveal and retrieve insights that may speak to our current plight. By reconstructing the teachings of Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and other classic thinkers to reflect our current scientific understanding of the world, Schaefer shows how to "green" the Catholic faith: to value the goodness of creation, to appreciate the beauty of creation, to respect creation's praise for God, to acknowledge the kinship of all creatures, to use creation with gratitude and restraint, and to live virtuously within the earth community." -- Publisher's description.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p.         ) and index.
Table of contents: title: Valuing the goodness of Creation; title: Appreciating the beauty of Creation; title: Reverencing the sacramental universe; title: Respecting Creation's praise for God; title: Cooperating within the integrity of Creation; title: Acknowledging kinship and practicing companionship; title: Using Creation with gratitude and restraint; title: Living virtuously within the community of earth; title: Loving Creation; title: Modeling the human in an age of ecological degradation.