Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Honors Thesis (Open Access)

Department

Colby College. Science, Technology and Society Program

Advisor(s)

Professor Jim Fleming

Second Advisor

Professor Debra Campbell

Abstract

Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home brings together the spheres of science and religion. In this document, Francis puts forth a call for action towards religious and non-religious communities alike to address climate change. The strength of the document lies in the way Francis expresses his call. By drawing on scientific and religious tradition, he situates the encyclical in a broader conversation about the moral obligation for humans to care for the environment. This thesis explores the reception of Laudato Si by religious and environmental communities through political cartoons, written critiques, and personal interviews. Current conversations surrounding the document show that Francis successfully conveyed his ideas about working towards the common good through dialogue to listeners from a variety of backgrounds.

Keywords

Pope Francis, Laudato Si, environment, Catholic, environmental ethics

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