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  We choose abundant life : Christians in the Middle East : towards renewed theological, social, and political choices

  We Choose Abundant Life Group, 2021-09
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  The Common Good in Catholic Social Teaching and The Legalization of Physician Assisted Suicide

  Tablan, Ferdinand (London Academic Publishing, 2024-01-01)

  The legalization of physician assisted suicide(PAS) in several states in the U.S. and the growing social approval of euthanasia have created confusion, pastoral challenges, and conflicts between Catholic and non-Catholic healthcare institutions. For many of its supporters, the legal and moral legitimacy of PAS is grounded on the right to autonomy. I concur with Callahan that the right to autonomy, while may be pertinent when it comes to moral debate on suicide, does not justify PAS. Unlike suicide, PAS is not a private matter. It involves the medical institution represented by the physician who is given authority to legitimize the termination of human life, and the society that will give it an imprimatur. If autonomy per se is the basis of this so-called dignity of PAS from the viewpoint of its proponents, they will not hesitate to declare suicide as more dignified than any other way of dying. But current laws in the U.S. on PAS are silent with regard to legal rights to suicide or assisted suicide in general. According to the U.S. Supreme Court, the legislature is the venue for the legalization of PAS, not the court, for PAS is about social approval of assisted suicide. Therefore, the debate concerning the legalization of PAS should shift from individual rights to common good, from autonomy to collective harms and benefits, and from justifying individual cases of PAS to legitimizing it as a social policy
• God and the Grounding of Morality

  Amini, Majid (London Academic Publishing, 2019-05-31)

  There is a classic mantra amongst many theists that divinity is the origin and fountain of ethical norms and only God can weave the warp and weft of the web of moral values. There has also recently been a concerted effort to rehabilitate religion in the field of philosophy in general and the subdiscipline of ethics specifically by harking back to this type of ethical grounding. Although the trend under the rubric of theistic ethics has as much claim to recognition as any other branches of applied ethics, its proponents and practitioners appear to harbor the higher ambition of underwriting ethics in toto and thereby furnish the fundamental foundations for moral judgments. The contention seems to be that without theism ethics will be rudderless and devoid of its proper footing and focus. It is, therefore, the purpose of this paper to see how far this ambition can be sustained in view of a significant number of issues that theism faces in its liaison with ethics specifically and philosophy in general. The hope is that such a survey will allow a more measured approach to the interaction between religion and ethics that would ultimately benefit both parties in this transaction.
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  Religious education and ecumenical formation in post-confessional settings : what are essentials for theological education of religious teachers and pastors?

  Werner, Dietrich (2023-10-25)

  The article sheds some light on the significance of the international discourses on ecumenical formation for the conceptual debates about the future of religious education in increasingly diverse environments, i.e. the deliberate attempts to enter knowledge and reflections about past and currents trends in World Christianity into the framework of religious education at state schools, as seen from both a German as well as a globally sensitized perspectives. The article originally was contributed to a German-Finnish meeting of specialists on religious education at the University of Göttingen on 25th October 2023.
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  Ecumenical diaconia and Christian social practice : towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals : 8 suggestions for strengthening the specific profile of churches as actors for eco-social transformation

  Werner, Dietrich (2023-09-26)
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  Gib uns unser täglich Brot : Gründe und Abgründe der weltweiten Ernährungskrise : ethische Prioritäten und praktische Ansätze für Ernährungssouveränität

  Werner, Dietrich (2023-06-03)
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  Öko-theologische Ansätze zur Überwindung des despotischen Anthropozentrismus in der ökumenischen Bewegung

  Werner, Dietrich (2023-10-07)

  The essay is providing an account of beginnings of eco-theological reflexions within the global ecumenical movement, mainly related to selected two out of several periods, mainly an early period of the 1960ies and a last period after the first decade of this century. It describes how the ecumenical discourse has reacted to a major challenges presented by an essay from Lynn White from late 60is which was accusing Christianity to be the main culprit of environmental destruction. The essay culminates in identifying five major types of eco-theological discourses in the past two decades and identifies four major challenges at the end in which eco-theological work needs to move forward.
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  El nombre del juego : lecciones económicas y de dirección estratégica para universidades privadas

  Vázquez Cotera, Daniel (2023-11-22)

  ¿Cuáles son los factores que han contribuido al crecimiento de la competencia en la educación superior privada en México? ¿Cómo se explica la gran heterogeneidad de los atributos que ofrecen las universidades privadas? ¿A qué procesos se debe prestar atención para fortalecer la estrategia competitiva de una universidad privada? ¿Cómo puede una universidad privada afrontar una crisis financiera y salir fortalecida? ¿Qué estrategias mercadológicas pueden contribuir a fortalecer la capacidad competitiva de una universidad privada? ¿Cómo dirigir la transformación digital en procesos clave y no morir en el intento? ¿Qué es y cómo desarrollar un sistema efectivo de gobierno corporativo en las universidades privadas? ¿Cómo los cambios en el marco regulatorio y en la tecnología incidirán en la transformación de la industria de la educación superior? ¿Cómo prepararse para afrontar los retos del segundo cuarto del siglo XXI? De forma anecdótica y con un lenguaje sencillo el libro responde a todas estas preguntas apoyado en una gama amplia de ideas modernas que emanan de la teoría económica. En general, el texto proporciona una visión integral de la importancia de la dirección estratégica en las universidades privadas desde una perspectiva económica.
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  Les peuples constitutifs ou communautés autonomes historiques en République démocratique du Congo : une identité politique et constitutionnelle

  Balaamo Mokelwa, Jean-Pacifique (2023-12-01)

  Cette analyse porte sur la consécration constitutionnelle de la nationalité culturelle ou ethnique (nationalité congolaise d’origine par appartenance ethnique ou à une Communauté autonome historique) et les questions qu’elle soulève. Elle recadre les considérations autour du conflit de concept de « Congolais », en tant que citoyen d’un Etat territorial ou en tant que membre d’un peuple constitutif de la République démocratique du Congo. La tradition constitutionnelle congolaise consacre la dimension objective de la notion du peuple « Congolais », un peuple identitaire à partir des ethnies ou Communautés autonomes historiques qui le constituent. La consécration de la conception culturelle ou ethnique (nationalité congolaise d’origine par appartenance ethnique ou à une Communauté autonome historique) de l’Etat est fondée sur le principe de peuples constitutifs ou Communautés humaines historiques afin de protéger le lien politique et social entre l’Etat et la communauté humaine sur lequel il repose.
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  Coping strategies & self-esteem : an empirical study among single mothers experiencing poverty in urban Barbados

  Lynch, Rolandson (2007)

  Poverty is a multidimensional dilemma in the region. In Barbados, the reality of poverty seems to be disguised for a diversity of motives. This explorative study was conducted among single mothers experiencing poverty in urban Barbados. This research focused on eighty (80) participants who were asked to respond to a questionnaire, three (3) case studies were conducted. The study sought to establish assumptions between age and education as it relates to self-esteem and coping strategies. Further, it also sought to investigate any relationships of significant between self-esteem and coping strategies. Results indicate that only the hypothesis, which suggests educational levels, has an impact on how single mothers’ use of coping strategy was supported. Recommendations focused on an integrated approach to the dilemma.
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  Rationalising an Integrated Public Protection Arrangement for Anguilla : A pragmatic approach to managing high risk offenders

  Lynch, Rolandson (Department of Probation (Anguilla), 2017)

  Public protection has become a key theme in recent criminal justice legislation and policy aimed at the effective management of high-risk offenders. This paper rationalizes an integrated approach to managing high risk offenders within Anguilla having consulted the two main approaches to public protection: the community protection model, and the public health approach. A precursory analysis was made of Anguilla’s criminal justice system and administrative governance; further, its pre and post economic crisis public debt financing analysis was reviewed. The paper concludes by positing a pragmatic approach to an integrated public protection arrangement having evaluated the island’s current economic condition and the realities of its criminal justice arrangements. Additionally, recommendations are presented to address areas within the criminal justice system to be developed which will inform a basis for an integrated public protection arrangement.
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  List of selected publications Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Dietrich Werner

  Werner, Dietrich (2023)
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  @Edinburgh2010 : online ecumenism in an age of participation

  Hollander, Aaron T. (2010)

  Originally published as a document under study theme #3 at Edinburgh 2010, and once posted at http://www.edinburgh2010.org/en/study-themes/3-mission-andpostmodernities. Unfortunately, the document is no longer available on the website. The document describes the Edinburgh 2010 communications strategy as well as the reception of Edinburgh 2010's online elements. It includes an appendix that provides a brief analysis of these communications from the perspective of "Mission & Postmodernities" (Theme 3).
• Elderly expectation toward their family, society, and government: A cross-sectional observational study

  Lasker, Shamima Parvin; Hossain, Arif; Chowdhury, Shafquat Haider; Mithila, Turna (2023-05-09)

  The elderly face very challenging situations due to their mental and physical conditions. Like the other country in the world, Bangladesh Government has enacted laws to protect the elderly rights. However, the law does not seem to represent what the elderly actually needs. Therefore, 385 elderly people, aged between 60 and 90 years were surveyed to understand their expectations from family, society, and government. There were 57.1% men and 42.9% women. Most of the elderly (80%) were educated. Just over half (53.5%) had ordinary mental and physical health, while a quarter (31.4%) had good status. More than half (53%) of the participants required 2000–5000 BDTK (Bangladeshi Taka) equivalent to $20-50 to cover monthly treatment expenditures. The majority (67.3%) felt government Old Age Allowance should be increased to BDT 5,000 ($50). Of 13.8% of individuals experienced harsh discourse from family because of the cost of therapy. However, 16.9% of people choose not to respond to this question. More than half (57.4%) of the respondents’ thought caregivers were insufficient. One-third felt that legislation should be changed to take care of parents (33.5%) and One-third felt that children should take care of more (33.5%). Some (3.6%) thought that children should act as they did in their childhood respectively. Almost half (44.2%) of respondents did not know that the elderly should receive a separate senior citizen card for preferential treatment, yet 51.9% thought this. Some (44.7%) felt the elderly should get priority in any queue and discounts in Bus/Uber/Rickshaw. Results also showed that expectation is more than the service provided. Further, a one-stop elderly care clinic is required to provide integrated care and support for the quality of life of the elderly.
• Senior Citizen’s Understanding Regarding the Quality of Life and Policy of Bangladesh

  Lasker, Shamima; Mithila, Turna Tribenee; Hossain, Arif; Amin, Md Ruhul (2023)

  Older people are encouraged to participate more in the economic, social, and governmental sectors as part of progressive aging policies worldwide. Very little is known about applying engagement techniques or carrying out strategies in Bangladesh that are important for involving seniors in social engagement. Therefore, this qualitative research was conducted in Dhaka, Bangladesh, among 385 people aged sixty or above to assess their understanding of the quality of life and the gap in government policy. Results showed that between 60 and 65 were more mobile, creative, engaged in productive activity, and had significantly higher decision-making power (p<0.000). Aging greatly enhances dependency (p<0.000). Lower-educated people were significantly dependent on their families (p<0.000). Moreover, elderly income and the cost of treatment were significantly correlated to abuse (p<0.001). Furthermore, 10% of participants reported negative relationships with family members (p<0.031). However, most (61.6%) were unaware of the 2013 Parent's Care Act. Though most participants (73.2%) knew of the government-funded Old Age Allowance, 92.5% received no non governmental assistance. The research concluded that education and economic condition have a long-term relationship with reducing dependency. In recommendation, Government can increase the retirement age from 59 to 65 years which may increase self of security, respect, and self-esteem and reduce harassment. Parent's Care Act 2013 should implement. Government should include Community Health and Social Service centers for the quality of life of the elderly.
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  The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and ABS-CBN through the Prisms of Hermann and Chomsky's Propaganda Model

  Mansueto, Menelito; Ochave, Jeresa May C. (Social Ethics Society, Inc., 2018-12-01)

  This paper is an attempt to localize Herman and Chomsky’s analysis of the commercial media and use this concept to fit in the Philippine media climate. Through the propaganda model, they introduced the five interrelated media filters which made possible the “manufacture of consent.” By consent, Herman and Chomsky meant that the mass communication media can be a powerful tool to manufacture ideology and to influence a wider public to believe in a capitalistic propaganda. Thus, they call their theory the “propaganda model” referring to the capitalist media structure and its underlying political function. Herman and Chomsky’s analysis has been centered upon the US media, however, they also believed that the model is also true in other parts of the world as the media conglomeration is also found all around the globe. In the Philippines, media conglomeration is not an alien concept especially in the presence of a giant media outlet, such as, ABS-CBN. In this essay, the authors claim that the propaganda model is also observed even in the less obvious corporate media in the country, disguised as an independent media entity but like a chameleon, it camouflages into an invisible creature leaving predators without any clue. Hence, the reason to analyze and scrutinize a highly reputable news organization in the country, namely, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) in relation to their portrayal of the Duterte presidency.
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  Critical Discourses on Technology in the Era of the Anthropocene

  Mansueto, Menelito (Social Ethics Society, Inc., 2023-05-22)

  This paper attempts to unravel and explore the stark contradiction between the quest for technological advancement and the struggle for human welfare and well-being. In the frame of Hegel’s master and slave dialectic, the author tries to present the notions of humanity and technology as thesis and antitheses by which the dawning synthesis of technological sensitivity to nature and an ecologically friendly human innovation and emancipation can be made possible. The paper draws heavily from the concepts introduced by notable philosophers, such as, Bernard Stiegler, Donna Haraway, N. Katherine Hayes, Andrew Feenberg, Douglas Kellner, Herbert Marcuse, George Lukacs, Georg Friedrich Wilhelm Hegel, Karl Marx, Martin Heidegger, Karl Popper, Aldo Leopold, and Enrique Dussel. Out from the brilliant concepts of these thinkers, altogether their ideas had served as the building blocks in tracing the origin, nature, history, development, and the future of both the humankind and technology, and its impact to the natural ecology. The author attempts to work out a coherent synthesis of these prevailing thinkers. Their ideas aimed to lead, support, enhance, or give way to the possibility of the notion of an ecologically, environmentally, nature and human-friendly technology.
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  Enrique Dussel’s Philosophy of Liberation : Philosophical Reflections at the time of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic

  Mansueto, Menelito (Social Ethics Society, Inc., 2020-07-01)

  In this brief philosophical exposé, I will narrate the events as well as my personal and eco-spiritual reflections pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic which began in Wuhan, China sometime in November 2019. The virus has spread sporadically across countries and continents wreaking havoc medically, politically, and individually as it claimed more than three hundred thousand lives and had virally infected more than four million of the global population. This phenomenon has led us to confront inevitable eschatological questions: Is this a sign of the end times? Will this efface the vulnerable human race? Will this disrupt the global economy as capitalism had collapsed worldwide? Do these events signal a new political era, perhaps the dawn of socialism and communism as countries worldwide are led to confront its own deficiencies and inadequacies? Which social and political systems and worldviews are efficient particularly in this age of globalization? What are our chances for human survival? These apocalyptic questions have led me to my reflections on Enrique Dussel’s philosophy of liberation, particularly on his concept of Christian ethics and the moral theology of liberation. In so doing, the paper incorporates a holistic outlook on the pandemic viewing it in a global scale, and considers an all-inclusive interpretation on the pandemic.
• Navigating challenges and opportunities : an exploratory case study of the Eparchy of Gorakhpur, Northern India

  James, Sibichen Kakkaniyil (2023)

  The Eparchy of Gorakhpur, Northern India, is one of the relatively youngest eparchies of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. This case study explores the challenges and opportunities it faces and shapes its contours. This single case study uses a qualitative approach, drawing on email interviews with the local ordinary and clergy and synodal consultations and analyzing its annual report and other relevant documents. The findings reveal that the Eparchy’s current situation is filled with many challenges and opportunities, but they have found a way to succeed. These include a shortage of candidates for the priesthood, declining religious participation among the youth, and a lack of educational and economic opportunities. Moreover, it is located in a predominantly Hindu region, posing a challenge to evangelization efforts. However, the study also helped surface and identify opportunities for growth and reform in the Eparchy, such as a stable interest in Catholicism among local people, the presence of committed clergy and laypeople, and the support of a wider Syro-Malabar Church. This study concludes with lessons to address the challenges and maximize opportunities. These include improving the training and formation of clergy and laypeople, seeking assistance and human, financial, and technical resources from the Syro-Malabar Church, and exploring innovative ways of evangelization, such as using social media and online platforms.
• Bioethics, medicine and society : a philosophical inquiry

  Yadavendu, Vijay Kumar; Kumar, Deepak (Current Science AssociationIndian Academy of Sciences, 2009-10-25)

  This article is an attempt to see how technological innovations and social developments have led to enormous changes in health and medicine. With ethical complexities and challenges emerging in modern medicine, bioethics seeks ways in which people in societies can work together under the provision of medical care and research. The field is supposed to provide an insight into the issues of moral community, and into how society understands political authority and its appropriate exercise. As a social movement, bioethics developed in the mid-twentieth century as a critical discourse, a response to felt inhumanities in the system of health care and biomedical research. As a response to specific abuses, bioethics has remained practice-oriented; society expects bioethics to solve or at least ameliorate visible problems. Different responses to these different bioethical issues reflect differing views on the philosophy of medicine, which are influenced in turn by the cultural views of those involved.

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