The development of bioethics in the context of the Christian spiritual tradition

Abstract

The article aims to explicate the Christian spiritual tradition in the context of philosophical-religious and bioethical discourse. The methodological basis of the work is an interdisciplinary approach, philosophical and generally scientific methods: systemic, dialectical, historical, hermeneutics, comparative analysis, etc., the principles of objectivity, confessional unbiasedness, world outlook, and methodological pluralism inherent in modern religious studies. As a result of the research, three levels of integration ties were identified and analyzed: interdisciplinary synthesis within individual groups of sciences; between disciplines belonging to different groups of sciences (natural, humanitarian, social, technical); the tendency towards the convergence of science and various forms of extra-scientific knowledge, religion, inherent in the education of bioethics as an integrated direction of modern knowledge. It is grounded that the basis of this process should be a model of complementarity and dialogue between science and religion, secular bioethics, and religious approaches, in particular Christian moral theology. In the context of fundamental norms and principles inherent in the Christian spiritual tradition, the author analyses the problems associated with interrupting human life in the initial and final stages: abortion, selective termination of pregnancy, the use of assisted reproductive technologies, euthanasia.