Identifier

162

Date

2019

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Major

Nursing

Committee Chair

Christie Manasco

Abstract

This thesis proposes that, before the nineteenth century, the Western world believed human life was inherently precious because it was made in the image of God. The result of rejecting this foundational principle is today's bioethical dilemmas; the West has replaced supernatural revelation with subjective experience as its source of absolute truth, thus resulting in its inability to act with ethical consistency. God has ceased to be a reference point in the West as mankind has begun to view itself as godlike. Medical technology has created ethical questions determinative of life and death. The West, however, is no longer sure what is ethical. To understand the past and ask pertinent questions regarding the future, major works of Western thought will be described and contrasted to represent the shift the West has undergone regarding absolute truth, how to determine right from wrong, and the purpose and value of human life.

Comments

Undergraduate Honor's Thesis

Library Comment

Honors thesis originally submitted to the Local University of Memphis Honor’s Thesis Repository.

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