Fall 2024 Ethics Study (What's a Christian to do? Ethical Responses to Contemporary Issues in Science and Technology) with Dr. Roger Petry & Dr. Brett Salkeld

This 5 session course explores ethical issues brought about by science and technology. It will examine the place of specific technologies in society, their role in enhancing and restricting human beings, attempts to own and control technology, and social and environmental risks and opportunities associated with each. Topics will include: ethics in gene therapy, social media and disinformation, the ethics of technologically enhancing human beings (transhumanism), the ethics of privacy in an age of increasing government and corporate surveillance, and obligations for development that address the needs of the present without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (that is, the ethics of sustainable development). A variety of ethical lenses (ex., virtue ethics, rights/duty based ethics, utilitarianism, capability ethics, and religious ethics) will be employed.

Texts
Articles will be distributed in advance of each week.

Course Schedule
• Sept. 25, 7:00-9:00 pm: Social Media and Disinformation – Dr. Roger Petry
• Oct. 9, 7:00-9:00 pm: Transhumanism – Dr. Roger Petry
• Oct. 23, 7:00-9:00 pm: Surveillance and Privacy – Dr. Roger Petry
• Nov. 6, 7:00-9:00 pm: Sustainable Development – Dr. Roger Petry
• Jan. TBA : Ethics in Gene Therapy – Dr. Brett Salkeld*

Course Delivery
This course will be delivered online by ZOOM. Registrants who provide an active gmail address can receive access to non-public class recordings.

*The January session on "Ethics in Gene Therapy" with Dr. Brett Salkeld will be offered both in person in Regina and by ZOOM. More details to come.

Dr. Roger Petry is a Professor of Philosophy at Luther College at the University of Regina (Canada) teaching in the areas of ethics (including the ethics of science and technology), sustainable development, critical thinking, and philosophy of religion. His research explores strategic dimensions in moving to sustainable systems including historic transitions in production, disruptive technologies, and the role played by universities. He coordinates the University’s Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) Program and Certificate in Sustainability. Dr. Petry is Co-coordinator of the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Saskatchewan (RCE Saskatchewan) acknowledged by the United Nations University (UNU) in 2007. He co-leads the International Association of Universities’ (IAU) Higher Education Cluster on Responsible Consumption and Production (Sustainable Development Goal 12).

Dr. Brett Salkeld is Archdiocesan Theologian for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina, where he is responsible for deacon formation.  Brett is the author of Can Catholics and Evangelicals Agree about Purgatory and the Last Judgment? How Far Can We Go? A Catholic Guide to Sex and Dating (with Leah Perrault) and Transubstantiation: Theology, History, and Christian Unity. His newest book, Educating for Eternity: A Teacher’s Companion for Making Every Class Catholic, is set for publication in 2023. Brett is a sought-after speaker on many topics related to the Catholic faith. He also serves the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops as a member of the Roman Catholic-Evangelical Dialogue in Canada. His weekly podcast with Deacon Eric Gurash is called Thinking Faith!  Brett has a large back catalogue of blog posts at both Vox Nova and sAsk-a-theologian. 

Payment
QSMM continues to offer courses by donation, so please consider "paying-what-you-can" to support the ministry. Donation instructions will appear on your registration confirmation screen.