author: Anna Laputko
Urgency of the research. In the Roman Catholic Church, anthropology develops in close connection with the doctrine, but also enters in the plane of a broad dialogue with philosophical thought and the academic scientific community. The Magisterium Ecclesiae is a necessary starting point for systematized Catholic philosophical and theological theories in understanding human problems. Catholic anthropology has the task of combining official doctrine with philosophy. The official documents of the Apostolic See, which include encyclicals, reveal the most important topical issues, among which, of course, is the problem of man and his values.
Target setting. The encyclical of Pope John Paul II “Evangelium Vitae” immediately after its title “clarifies” to whom this message is addressed and what it says: “To the Bishops Priests and Deacon, Men and Women religious lay Faithful and all People of Good Will on the Value and Inviolability of Human Life”. This epigraph indicates that the presentation of its content applies to all people, because the problem of the value of human life is universal and eternal.
Actual scientific researches and issues analysis. The main source for our study is the text of the encyclical “Evangelium Vitae”. In opening the topic of our article, we will also turn to the works of the eminent theologian Karl Rahner, whose influence on Catholic thought has been significant in recent decades. Some aspects of anthropological issues in the context of the value of human life will be explored on the basis of an analysis of the works of Cardinals Tarcisio Bertone and Marian Jaworski, as well as individual Ukrainian scholars.
The research objective. The aim of the article is to analyze the value of human life in the encyclical of Pope John Paul II “Evangelium Vitae”. The main objectives of our article are to reveal the main provisions of the encyclical in the general context of modern Catholic anthropology and to compare it with some theses of the Catholic theological doctrine of man.
The statement of basic materials. In the encyclical “Evangelium Vitae”, Pope John Paul II bases his message on the Scriptures, as is customary in formulating the doctrine or moral compendium of the Christian church. Jesus Christ, the mystery of the incarnation of the Logos, is the basis for understanding the value of human life from conception to natural death. The encyclical reveals attempts to reduce the value of life, which includes war, violence, abuse of bioethical aspects (abortion, euthanasia).
Conclusions. Recognition of the value of human life, to which the encyclical of Pope John Paul II “Evangelium Vitae” is dedicated, is the defining core of Catholic anthropology, which is based primarily on the mystery of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The value of human life is a dimension that goes beyond confession into the space of universal humanism. The problem of ethical control in medical research and legal codes in the light of the value of human life requires a new stage of discussion today. The rather simplistic and catechetical form of the encyclical did not promote the acceptance by scientific community of theologians and philosophers for whom the works of, for example, Karl Rahner with his deeply synthesized style of penetrating the mystery of the existence of God and man are more convincing.
Keywords: value of human life, encyclical “Evangelium Vitae”, Catholic anthropology, ethical values, dignity.
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