Date of Award
12-10-2024
Document Type
Dissertation - SCU Access Only
Publisher
Santa Clara : Santa Clara University, 2024
Degree Name
Doctor of Sacred Theology (STD)
Director
Julie H. Rubio
Abstract
This dissertation explores the concept of ecological friendship (Henceforth, ecofriendship) as an alternative ethical framework to address ecological crises. This framework redefines human relationships with God, Earth, and all forms of life, positioning eco-friendship as the cornerstone of ecological solidarity.
Using the “See-Judge-Act” methodology, the dissertation critically engages with ecological issues, providing a structured framework for ethical reflection and practical response. The work begins by examining the social-ecological structures of modern deadly vices such as self-centeredness, competitiveness, consumerism, and indifference, identifying their contribution to social and ecological degradation. In response, this dissertation proposes eco-friendship as a transformative virtue capable of enhancing interconnectedness, mutual love, and long-term ecological responsibility. Drawing on Thomas Aquinas and Celia Deane-Drummond, the dissertation critiques the stewardship model for its hierarchical and managerial limitations and proposes eco-friendship as a more relational and transformative approach. The work integrates traditional virtues, such as humility, prudence, courage, temperance, and justice, and enhances Catholic Social Teaching principles, building a deeper communal commitment to ecological harmony within this relational framework. Utilizing the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), the dissertation demonstrates how eco-friendship could be contextualized to cultivate harmony in diverse cultural and socio-economic settings.
The practical application of eco-friendship is further explored within Christian communities, particularly in families and local parishes. These foundational spaces serve as essential contexts for nurturing ecological virtues and advancing ecological harmony. Families, as domestic churches, play a critical role in embedding eco-friendship into daily practices, while parishes extend these values into broader community networks through initiatives like ecological education, sustainability projects, and interfaith collaborations. Ultimately, this dissertation argues that eco-friendship provides a comprehensive and actionable framework that could heal broken relationships with God, humanity, and Earth, paving the way for a just and sustainable future for all of creation.
Recommended Citation
Ninh, Toan, "Eco-Friendship as the Pathway to Ecological Solidarity: Nurturing Harmony with God, Humans, and Earth" (2024). Jesuit School of Theology Dissertations. 143.
https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/jst_dissertations/143
