MATTERS OF LIFE OR DEATH: SPIRITUAL OBSTACLES TO ORGAN DONATION IN CONTEMPORARY ROMANIA. TOWARDS A KANTIAN-INSPIRED DIALOGICAL FRAMEWORK FOR BREAKING THE DEADLOCK
MATTERS OF LIFE OR DEATH: SPIRITUAL OBSTACLES TO ORGAN DONATION IN CONTEMPORARY ROMANIA. TOWARDS A KANTIAN-INSPIRED DIALOGICAL FRAMEWORK FOR BREAKING THE DEADLOCK

Summary/Abstract: This inquiry explores the potential for Kant’s transcendental philosophy to offer a tangible, life-saving reconciliation between Orthodox Christian doctrine and the essence of general Christian humanism with respect to organ donation and transplantation. It questions, and answers affirmatively, whether Kant can serve as more than a symbolic figure, proposing that his framework, particularly in its apophatic elements, might align with Orthodox Christian perspectives on morality and ethics and their revealed essence. By examining the compatibility between Kantian ethics and the doctrines of Christian altruism and self-sacrifice, the study suggests that Kant’s philosophy could bridge the gap between traditional religious beliefs and contemporary ethical challenges, such as organ transplantation. This reconciliation could lead to a more holistic understanding of morality that respects both the sanctity of life as emphasized by the Church and the imperatives of modern medical science. Thus, Kant’s thought might not only endure as a philosophical legacy but actively contribute to ethical decision-making and the preservation of life today.

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