Response to "Society of Christian Ethics" by M. Therese Lysaught

Response to "Society of Christian Ethics" by M. Therese Lysaught

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This article took a really long time getting to the main point and to the subject in which I am much more interested in - Paul Farmer's story. The exposition could have been shortened by at least several pages, and summarized. Essentially what Lysaught is saying is that the practice of medicine needs to be drastically overhauled - or rather, it needs to be undertaken with a new frame of mind, and the one of 'becoming friends with the world' results in negative consequences for its inhabitants. But more specifically, it is the needy and poor that suffer. He advocates friendship with God, which in my opinion, has both its pros and cons. First of all, the benefits would be that everyone would carry the same ideals as him and would be sure to act on those principles. However, a) not everyone believes in the christian god, b) while it might hypothetically work, everyone has their own interpretations of God's word, and realistically, it is impossible. But if somehow they were able to share God's way "of being and acting in the world", then maybe...but really what Lysaught is proposing is completely idealistic. I applaud those who attempt to follow that lifestyle, and I really quite respect them for their work (Paul Farmer) regardless.

Lysaught later talks about sickness and how "illness threatens the community with social division and alienation" (p 177). I particularly noticed the 'alienation' aspect - which is reflected throughout the world. Consider poverty, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other diseases - it is most evident in the poorest nations and areas of a state. "Normal" people almost always refuse to associate themselves as humans with those suffering, even when their socio-economic state (in a perfect world) should not make a difference in our perception of them. Illness doesn't only affect the community, it also affects the world with alienation and social division - and unfortunately, this is much too widespread to correct in the short term. most only feel pity for those affected, and pity in and of itself because of these factors is a result of sickness such as these and an aspect of division and alienation.

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