St. Francis of Assisi's Perspective of Bioethics in the Catholic Church

• Main Authors: Hung Shu Jen, 洪淑貞
• Other Authors: 莊慶信老師
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/90320469621303485722

碩士 === 輔仁大學 === 宗教學系 === 99 === Abstract In the beginning of the 21st century, the most important subject at international meetings in different countries was ecology ethics. When we discuss global problems, we consider problems such as melting ice caps, global warming and climate change. As a matter of fact, we should not discuss the problems of the earth, but what it’s masters are doing to it. The problems are not the phenomena that we are seeing, but the intentions in people’s hearts. Research in bioethics has had a deep impact on people’s perspectives and ways of thinking. The first part of this article discusses the meaning and mission of modern bioethics, and asks what is “Modern Bioethics” ? What’s the relationship between bioethics and ecological ethics? The second part of this article discusses St. Francis of Assisi’s perspective of life and nature, and compares his perspective of bioethics with four principles of bioethics. Then we must ask, is there any principle in St. Francis of Assisi’s words and deeds? After defining the perspective of Bioethics and understanding St. Francis of Assisi’s perspective of Bioethics, we shall ask in the third part: What edification does St. Francis of Assisi’s perspective of Bioethics bring to modern society? What’s its contemporary meaning? When we are facing confusion of values and a rampant neglect of ethical principles, separation, violence, and money worship around the world, people don’t respect life and nature, and wreak havoc on the world . What methods and attitudes can we find from St. Francis of Assisi’s perspective of life? We can use bioethics to deal with our modern problem. By way of the research above, we also find that St. Francis of Assisi’s perspective of Bioethics can be a global principle and a bridge of communication in religious dialogue between different religions. His perspective of Bioethics also can be a central ideal of holistic education and spiritual education of the cosmos and ecology in educational circles. The writer of this article works for a high school established by the Order of Friars Minor in the Catholic Church. I hope these pages make some contribution to the life education curriculum and activities, and can be a reference for life education curriculum in high schools of Taiwan through the present and explain St. Francis of Assisi’s perspective of Bioethics. Key Words：Catholic Church , St. Francis of Assisi, Bioethics, Ecological Ethics, Perspective of Life , Perspective of Nature