PHI 413V Topic 3 Assignment; Case Study on Biomedical Ethics in the Christian
Narrative Applying the Four Principle
Topic 1 DQ 1 – Christopher Pierre
Prior to taking this course and reading the reading assignments for this week‟s DQ1, I was not privy to the
terms ethos and post modernism. After reading the lecture one notes and perusing other resources on the
topic, my knowledge of the two terms, honestly, is better enough to formulate an opinion on the “perceived
philosophical and cultural tension between science and religion.” In my personal point of view, I do not
believe that science and religion are necessarily at odds because I don‟t believe that scientists, in essence,
have an interest in how an individual‟s spirit or soul operates. On the other hand, I can see science and
religion sometimes have some congruencies that exist on certain matters where one can put out beliefs on
the same topic but are very conflicting as a result can cause unnecessary suffering and perhaps death. One
notable conflict was between Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) and the Roman Catholic Church, largely over the
movements within the solar system. Robinson (2012) postulates that at the time:
• The Church interpreted the Bible as teaching the geocentric system in which the Earth is at the
center of the universe. The Sun, Moon, other planets and stars
revolve around the Earth.
• •Some scientists taught the Tychonic System in which the Earth is at the center of the universe;
the Sun and Moon revolve around the Earth; the other five planets
revolve around the Sun. The stars revolve around the Earth.
• Galileo taught the heliocentric system in which the Sun is the center of the solar system, the Earth
and other planets revolved around the Sun, the Moon revolved
around the Earth, and the stars were at incredible distances.
Consequently, Galileo was condemned and sentenced to house arrest for the remaining days of his life. An
article appeared on the National Center for Biotechnology Information (2006, para.12),
"...Pope John Paul II gave an address on behalf of the Catholic Church in which he admitted that
errors had been made by the theological advisors in the case of Galileo. He declared the Galileo case
closed, but he did not admit that the Church was wrong to convict Galileo on a charge of heresy ..."
Reference
Galileo Galilei (1564‐1642). (2006). British Journal of Sports Medicine, 40(9), 806–807. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2564400/
Robinson, B.A. (2012). Conflicts between science and religion. Ontario Consultants on
Religious Tolerance. Retrieved from http://www.religioustolerance.org/scirel_ov1.htm
Re:Topic 1 DQ 1
Thanks Christopher, there was a time when Christianity opposed religion, but then as you note religion saw
that science was not evil but something good for the working and betterment of humanity.
Even recently Pope Francis added his perspective by supporting the idea of theistic evolution with God
working in and through evolution.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2014/10/28/pope-francis-backs-theory-of-
evolution-says-god-is-no-wizard/?utm_term=.10d5d5325688
,PHI 413V Topic 3 Assignment; Case Study on Biomedical Ethics in the Christian
Narrative Applying the Four Principle
One of the most important observatories in the world is the one operated by the Vatican in the state of
Arizona.
Comments?
Dr. Meyer
Re:Topic 1 DQ 1
Dr. Meyer,
This is very interesting to know. Despite science and religion having conflicting views causing cultural
uproar, religion in many ways emulates science to derive answers for the unknown. It would seem that
though the Vatican has held most of the knowledge about space for over three centuries with all of their
observatories, they are only in the modern era beginning to examine the teachings of those scientists like
Copernicus, Newton, Kepler, and Galileo who all changed the course of history in many ways. More
interesting is the name chosen for one of their observatories, L.U.C.I.F.E.R, a name synonymous with the
devil, of which was built on a sacred Indian burial ground (Ojibwa, 2010).
Reference
Ojibwa (2010). University of Arizona, Vatican and Jesuits Name New Telescope „Lucifer‟. Retrieved from
http://www.nativeamericannetroots.net/diary/471/mount-graham-science-and-apache-religion
Angel,
I respect the statement you made when you say that, “There is tension between science and spirituality, but
the patients‟ wants and needs are more important than what the clinician views as necessary.” Many
religious individuals that I have encountered in my years as a nurse share the same sentiments you‟ve
expressed. As health care professionals we should always respect patients‟ religious beliefs and rights. For
example, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible prohibits ingesting blood and that Christians should
not accept blood transfusions or donate or store their own blood for transfusion. The belief is based on an
interpretation of scripture that differs from that of other Christian denominations. Chand et al (2014),
suggest that Jehovah Witness patients should receive counseling about blood salvage techniques,
optimization of pre-operative hematological abnormalities and adopting techniques to minimize blood loss,
and blood conservation throughout the perioperative period.
Reference
Chand, N. K., Subramanya, H. B., & Rao, G. V. (2014). Management of patients who refuse blood
transfusion. Indian Journal
of Anaesthesia, 58(5), 658–664.http://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5049.144680
Chris Pierre
DQ 1-2 : What aspects of the topic readings do you find the most interesting? What
is your view of the analysis of disease and healing in the readings? Explain.
Several of this week’s readings were interesting. I became exposed to a few
terminologies that I did not know before and learned a lot of new information. The
, PHI 413V Topic 3 Assignment; Case Study on Biomedical Ethics in the Christian
Narrative Applying the Four Principle
topic that I found most interesting is the topic of religion / spirituality as it pertains
to health care. Religion and spirituality are an important, if often private, part of
many individuals’ lives. Puchalski (2001) confabulates that religion is a source of
haven for patients going through the phases of death and dying, the agony of the
pain that they endure, and suffering. A major healthcare episode can be a
challenging and stressful time in a person’s life. For this reason so many people turn
to religion or spirituality for comfort and healing during these times, it makes sense
that those parts of a person’s life should be incorporated in their care. Voicing any
beliefs that are part of their daily life in an upfront and honest matter will bring your
health caregivers closer into their lives. Ultimately gives them a better healthcare
experience. In order to make that happen, the patient should voice their wishes
about making religious or spiritual beliefs part of their medical care by
understanding their rights as a patient. They should let the nurse know about how
they’d like their religious or spiritual beliefs to be incorporated into their care and
medical experience. The sooner the conversation takes place with the health care
providers the better. Have an end of life discussion with everyone including family.
Religious and spiritual issues tend to come up most around end-of-life issues, such
as when there’s a decision about whether to take someone off life support or stop
other treatment for diseases that are incurable. Because your personal beliefs may
affect your feelings and judgment in these matters, it’s good for your doctor to know
where you stand before such issues arise.
Reference
Puchalski, C., MD, MS. (2001). The Role of Spirituality in Health Care. Baylor
University Medical Center Procedings, 14(4).
DQ 1-2 – Response 1
Telena,
First off thank you for sharing your insight on this week’s topic that you found most
interesting. I think you brought up a very important suggestion on “Suffering
without purpose.” Though your suggestion is not connected to the Bible verse 1
Peter 3: 13-22, that chapter just came to mind. It says that God is pleased when
Christians suffer well for Jesus. Like Jesus who was exalted after suffering unjustly,
so His followers will be rewarded for being mistreated in His name. The connection
that I am trying to make here is that though those who are suffering may not
practice some form of Christianity; however, they can use their situation to help
answer questions for others, which makes it a Christian act of kindness by giving
others a sense of hope or relief during their time of suffering. Being able to listen to
another person’s speak on their experience and dealing with a terminally ill disease
can perhaps help others think about never crossed their minds. For instance, how
