Theology, Ecology, and Natural Science
Lucas Briola, Saint Vincent College (PA)
lucas.briola@stvincent.edu
Paul Schutz, Santa Clara University (CA)
pjschutz@scu.edu
Catholic
social teaching, most recently in Laudato si’, stresses the profound
interrelationship between “human ecology” and “natural ecology”, our “human
family” and our “biological family” in our common home. We seek papers in this
spirit. Specific topics include:
- Applying ethological and other scientific studies of
interspecies communication, co-development, symbiosis, and coevolution to
interpret how human families form and function; constructing and/or reinterpreting
relational anthropologies on the basis of studies of humans as social animals;
- Discussing how scientific insights on gender and sexuality
might strengthen or reshape understandings of the meaning and vocation of the
human family vis-a-vis official ecclesial teaching;
- Synthesizing themes concerning “human ecology” and themes
concerning “natural ecology” in Catholic social teaching;
- Offering familial interpretations of Laudato si's
language of "our common home," and/or using the image of earth as a
“shared home” to cultivate new interpretations of human families as ecological
families;
- Assessing the impact of climate change on families and
communities; understanding how climate change leads to the displacement of
peoples, families, etc., linking migration and racial justice with issues of
ecosystem collapse;
- Considering how families might foster the “ecological
education” called for in Laudato si’ (see esp. sec. 213).
Compelling topics not directly related to the annual
conference theme will also be considered.
Clarity, focus, and pertinence to the topic area are the hallmarks of
successful submissions.
Proposals should be 250-500 words in length and include
one’s current institutional affiliation and position. Proposals should be
emailed by December 15, 2019. Scholars will be notified of the status of their
proposals by mid-January.