Human Nature and Biotechnology | Professor Stephen Meredith
Dec 22, 2023
auto_awesome
Professor Stephen Meredith, Professor at the University of Chicago, discusses human fragility and vulnerability, the mixed blessing of biotechnology, theological questions in literature, love for mankind versus individuals, disease and death in animals, origins of names and animal suffering, disease and original sin, perspectives on morality and human behavior, and the humanity of Alzheimer's patients.
Humanity is united by a common human nature inherited from our first parents, which includes free will and morality.
Disease is the destruction of the equilibrium of health and a corrupt habit, stemming from the absence or distortion of what is good.
Deep dives
Human nature and the transmission of original sin
Thomas Aquinas discusses the transmission of original sin and suggests that humanity is united by a common human nature inherited from our first parents. This nature includes aspects beyond biology and encompasses free will and morality. Original sin defines us as human beings and involves a tendency to sin, which can only arise from the capacity for free will and morality.
Disease as a privation and corruption
Disease, like evil, is characterized by the loss or corruption of something positive. Thomas Aquinas describes disease as the destruction of the equilibrium of health and as a corrupt habit. While disease may involve something real and powerful, it ultimately stems from the absence or distortion of what is good.
The responsibility and guilt of humanity
Dostoevsky's Brothers Karamazov highlights the idea that each of us is guilty on behalf of all and for all. Humanity shares a common responsibility and guilt, not just due to the common guilt of original sin, but also personally for each individual and for all human sins. This connection between responsibility, guilt, and our shared human nature defines our capacity for morality and free will.
Treating the vulnerable and weak
A crucial aspect of our humanity lies in how we treat the vulnerable and weak, as exemplified in the case of patients suffering from diseases like Alzheimer's. Rejecting their humanity would lead to a slippery slope where other human beings could also be deemed undeserving. Our treatment of the weak reflects our understanding of morality and our commitment to upholding the dignity of all human beings.
Stephen Meredith is a professor at the University of Chicago’s Departments of Pathology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Neurology. He is also an associate faculty member in the University of Chicago Divinity School. He has published more than 100 journal articles, focusing on the biophysics of protein structure. Much of his work has been the application of solution and solid-state NMR to the study of amyloid proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease. He has also published articles on literature and philosophy in diverse aspects of medical humanities and bioethics. His teaching includes courses to graduate students in biochemistry and biophysics, medical students, and undergraduates and graduate students in the humanities, including courses on James Joyce’s Ulysses, St. Thomas Aquinas, Augustine, Dostoevsky (focusing on Brothers Karamazov), Thomas Mann and David Foster Wallace. He is currently working on a book examining disease and the theological problem of evil. Other current writing projects include a study of James Joyce and the problem of evil.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode