Abstract
Without ethical embedding, scientific and technological progress is unleashing more and more destructive consequences. In contrast to the ‘forgetfulness of nature’ of the rationalist worldview, a fundamental reorientation of thinking and the understanding of science are also required to safeguard the integrity of creation, especially the dignity of the human person. Modern ‘risk societies’ are challenged to self-reflexively adjust to the ambivalent consequences of scientific-technical civilisation. One impulse of theology lies in pointing out the perspective of a renewed bioethical imperative from the perspective of Christian ethics of Creation, based on the biblical understanding of creation, which embeds human beings in the whole of creation and at the same time singles them out in a special way as the image of God and calls them to responsibility. The theological traditions that have been partially suppressed in modernity can make an important contribution to the development of a vision of fundamental ethical values for ecological responsibility. Contribution: The following contribution addresses basic questions of understanding nature to expand the one-sided world view of classical rationalism. In doing so, the recognition of biblical traditions plays a central role for reorientation. Only in the horizon of a changed world view, can ethical impulses unfold their effectiveness.
Highlights
The profound ambivalence of scientific and technological progress is more apparent than ever and, for this reason, ‘we urgently need a shared vision of basic values to provide an ethical foundation for the emerging world community’ (ECI 2000)
Notwithstanding the importance that is to be attached to the achievements of knowledge and skill, it is obvious that only a humanity that strives towards ethical goals can ever fully share in the blessings of material progress and master the hazards that come with it
Http://www.hts.org.za develop new forms of ethical orientation. Because their primary focus has been on the sphere of immediate interhuman relations and is of restricted orientation in terms of time and space, traditional ethics are faced with fundamentally different challenges with respect to the remote or long-distance effects that modern technology brings to the potential scope of human action
Summary
The profound ambivalence of scientific and technological progress is more apparent than ever and, for this reason, ‘we urgently need a shared vision of basic values to provide an ethical foundation for the emerging world community’ (ECI 2000). The high degree of control over nature and its forces – which, on the basis of knowledge in the field of genetics, has the potential to impact swiftly and with far-reaching consequences on the structures of life and, increasingly, on the very nature of human beings, possibly even manipulating them – leads to a situation which, ‘in terms both of manner and of magnitude’ (Jonas 1984:7), is wholly unprecedented and in the light of which, according to Jonas, all previous ethics prove to be inadequate.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
