Sources of Bioethics
Diego Rivera, 1934
El Hombre en el Cruce de Caminos o El Hombre Controlador del Universo
Man at the Crossroads, or Man, Controller of the Universe
Palacio de Bellas Artes,. Mexico City
Ever wonder what is really at the root of bioethical controversies?
Why we can't seem to agree and talk past each other?
The words we use to convey fundamental ethical concepts today might mean different things to different people, but in fact they emerged over centuries due to sustained and careful reflection to describe and comprehend
lived human experience.
With effort, words were developed to convey a way of understanding
the world around us and our place in it.
Join us in our exploration of basic bioethics concepts
through the story of words...
What do we mean when we discuss the "nature" of things?
Who or what is a "person"? Why did the concept of "person" arise?
How are we to understand the notion of human "dignity"
that is offered as a foundation for human "rights"?
How did the notion of "conscience" develop over time?
Does "suffering" have any value? How are we to confront our "mortality"?
If you would like to participate in this study group, contact MD, PhD candidate Maria Rivera Santana at
Cycle 2 Talks for 2026
January 8, 2026
5:30 PM
Talk 5
Nature part I: From Antiquity to William of Ockham
Taubman Health Sciences Library - room 5000
The notion of “nature” - in Latin natura - is a foundational philosophical concept in Western thought, derived from the Greek words“phu” - to be - and “phusis” - to become. Attempts to understand the permanence (being) and change (becoming) of reality observed throughout the cosmos led to metaphysics: the elaboration of Plato’s“ideal forms” and of Aristotle’s “essences”. In time, the Christianization of ancient philosophy - reflected primarily by the work of Thomas Aquinas(1225-1274) - added unity and coherence to these basic insights, and opened the possibility of the development of the natural sciences.
February 5, 2026
5:30 PM
Talk 6
Nature part II: From Ockham’s Nominalism to Post-Modernity
THSL - room 5000
The Christian understanding of “natura” is predicated on themetaphysical unity of Creator and creation. Nature intimately reflectsthe reason, will and wisdom of the Creator, which is expressed in“natural laws”: harmony between natural laws and human action leadto human flourishing. Voluntarism and nominalism promoted initiallyby William of Ockham (1287-1347) provided a philosophical challengeto this unified vision of reality and sowed the seeds for the eventualfragmentation of science and religion. We will attempt to connect thedots between the work of Ockham and the via media with post-Modernphilosophical trends.
March 5, 2026
5:30 PM
Talk 7
Person Part I: From Antiquity to the Reformation
THSL 5000
We will discuss the etymological origins of the word “person” and therole of greco-roman theater in the development of the term. Parallel use of the term “persona” in both Roman law and Christian theology.The incorporation of the term “persona” into philosophy and Christian theology by Tertullian (155-220 AD) in his attempt to develop an understanding of God as a trinity of persons. The role of trinitarian theology in the development of an understanding of personhood basedon “being” rather than on “capacities” or “abilities”. Discuss the relational character of the human person based on trinitarian theology.Review Boethius’ (477-525 AD) definition of person: “an individual substance of a rational nature”. Deepening of the metaphysical grounding of this definition by Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274 AD).
April 16, 2026
5:30 PM
Talk 8
Person Part II: From the Reformation to Post-Modernity
THSL 5000
Discuss the development of subjective and functional accounts of“personhood” following the Reformation. Personhood based on capacities or “function”. Person as any entity or being entitled to “rights”.Utilitarian notions of personhood. Post-modern conceptions of personhood: human non-persons and non-human persons. Examples of bioethical challenges resulting from differing notions of personhood.
May 14, 2026
5:30 PM
Talk 9
Conceptions of Suffering & Mortality
LOCATION PENDING
Suffering as a universal experience of human limitation. Suffering as an experience that elicits existential questions. Historical attempts to address the experience of human limitation: Buddhism, Hinduism,Taoism, the Abrahamic traditions. Does suffering have “value”. Suffering and the search for meaning. Death and dying. Conditions by which persons may thrive while dying. Suffering and modern medicine. Discuss the work of Dr Balfour Mount: whole person care, total pain.
June 11, 2026
5:30 PM
Talk 10
Perfection & Human Enhancement
LOCATION PENDING
We will compare and contrast classical and Aristotelian notions of“perfection” with contemporary notions formulated by Darwin and later scholars of eugenics. We will attempt to connect the dots with modern notions of human perfectibility and the arguments underlying transhumanism today