Ethics and the Engineer: Developing the Basis of a Theological Approach

Engineers have made an enormous contribution to promoting human wellbeing. Their work can also be the cause of immense human suffering. However, theological approaches to engineering ethics are scarce. Good starting points for a theological approach are provided by the ethics of Buber and Levinas, e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Studies in Christian ethics
Main Author: Bowen, W. Richard (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage 2010
In: Studies in Christian ethics
Further subjects:B Engineering
B Persons
B Wellbeing
B Philosophy
B Community
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallel Edition:Electronic
Description
Summary:Engineers have made an enormous contribution to promoting human wellbeing. Their work can also be the cause of immense human suffering. However, theological approaches to engineering ethics are scarce. Good starting points for a theological approach are provided by the ethics of Buber and Levinas, especially when combined with the idea of engineering as a practice in MacIntyre’s sense. A further strengthening of the importance of persons and a strong emphasis on the significance of community can be introduced through consideration of the theology of Zizioulas, Dussel and Yannaras. This can provide the context for the consideration of the work of engineers as a para-eucharistic activity, a creative means of promoting the communion of persons through contribution to material wellbeing. Specific examples are given of how such a theological approach suggests reprioritisations of the role of engineers in promoting peace, of the contribution of engineers to removing infrastructural poverty in developing countries, and of the responsibilities of engineers in developed countries.
ISSN:0953-9468
Contains:Enthalten in: Studies in Christian ethics
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0953946810368021