The latest on natural-law theory and unborn human life
In a past post, I mentioned the dialogue between philosopher Fr. Martin Rhonheimer and his critics – or, perhaps one should say, one of the dialogues, or one aspect of the dialogue – namely, that concerning his ‘vital conflicts’ theory. In the Autumn 2011 issue of the National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, there is more, dealing […]
NCBQ and the Phoenix abortion case
The most recent issue of the National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly (Vol. 11, no. 3; Autumn 2011) contains several articles that continue the discussion about the Phoenix abortion case and related matters. The issue contains articles by Rev. Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco, OP (Abortion in a Case of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension), Thomas A. Cavanaugh (Double-Effect Reasoning, […]
Human Dignity and Supreme Court Jurisprudence
SSRN has a new article entitled The Jurisprudence of Dignity (http://ssrn.com/abstract=1928768). The author, Leslie Meltzer Henry, identifies the variety of meanings given to the word “dignity” in Supreme Court cases: institutional status as dignity, liberty as dignity, equality as dignity, personal integrity as dignity, and collective virtue as dignity. The article reveals that the Court’s […]
Dehumanization of People
In Demoting Humans Zenit talks with John Haas about the growning trend in bioethics to treat human beings as material to use for scientific experiments and the role of the Catholic Church in establishing bioethics as an area of study and concern.
More on Twin Reduction Abortion
The New York Times article discussing the growing practice of “twin reduction” abortions continues to generate responses. The practice permits parents expecting two healthy babies to abort one of them, usually for lifestyle reasons. William Saletan, writing at Slate, considers why those who are pro-choice are so disturbed by twin reduction abortions. His answer is […]
Embryo Adoption and Persona Humana
University Faculty for Life member, Gerard Nadal, has a series of essays posted on Lifesite News arguing that the declaration on certain questions on sexual ethics by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Persona Humana, does not foreclose embryo adoption by faithful Catholic couples. Dr. Nadal points to a statement by Archbishop […]
Important series on major issues for 2012 election
Today Public Discourse introduced a ten-part series examining the ten key issues that should shape voters’ decisions in the 2012 election. Ryan T. Anderson explains the structure of the series in “Liberty, Justice, and the Common Good:Political Principles for 2012 and Beyond.” I suspect almost all of the essays will interest UFL members. Here is […]
Waldron’s new article on moral absolutes
Jeremy Waldron has a new piece, What Are Moral Absolutes Life?, posted on SSRN. Exploration of this question is particularly important if we are to successfully persuade people that “do not kill the innocent” should be the law of the land, and that the unborn are among the innocent who must not be killed.
Pain as Fact and Heuristic
If you are like me, you aren’t sure what “heuristic” means. According to multiple sources, it is an experience-based technique for problem solving. In her new article,Pain as Fact and Heuristic: How Pain Neuroimaging Illuminates Moral Dimensions of Law, Professor Amanda C. Pustilnik argues against a simple understanding of physical pain as a justification for […]
Autonomy, Restraint and the Common Good
The views of Joseph Raz, Ronald Dworkin, John Finnis, and Robert George on the value and limits of personal autonomy are examined in a new article by Adam McLeod, The Mystery of Life in the Laboratory of Democracy: Personal Autonomy in State Law. “The article then examines several different areas of state law where one […]