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Paying Attention to Biodiversity and Its Theological Significance
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 January 2024
Abstract
This paper focuses on one scientific aspect of eco-theology, which I argue has not yet received sufficient attention either within public discussion or from theologians, namely, that of biodiversity. Given the entanglement between biodiversity loss, climate change, and poverty, understanding the biological context is significant ethically quite irrespective of the presuppositions of different philosophical approaches to eco-theology. After beginning with a more general argument for why it is important for theologians and theological ethicists to engage with and understand different aspects of the relevant science, I will then survey scientific accounts of current biodiversity loss, including arguments for its relevance to social justice questions. I then provide an outline of the first steps towards a theological ethic on biodiversity, drawing on the insights of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ and Thomas Aquinas’ understanding of the ecologically relevant virtues of practical wisdom and mercy.
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References
1 Some of the scientific data discussed in this paper is dealt with in more detail in a report produced by the Laudato Si Research Institute, with lead researcher Oliver Putz, entitled ‘The Wailing of God’s Creatures: Catholic Social Teaching, Human Activity and the Collapse of Biological Diversity’, published in April 2021. This is report is open access https://lsri.campion.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/inline-files/THE%20WAILING%20OF%20GOD%E2%80%99S%20CREATURES%205.pdf
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