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Proquest Dissertations SEEDS, GENES, AND STARDUST: A CHRISTIAN ECOFEMINIST ETHICS OF THE COMMON GOOD By Jennifer Louise Janzen-Ball A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Theology of Emmanuel College and the Theology Department of the Toronto School of Theology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology Awarded by the University of St. Michael's College Toronto 2010 © Jennifer L. Janzen-Ball Library and Archives Bibliothgque et 1*1 Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de l'6dition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Ottawa ON K1A0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-68844-1 Our file Notre rifirence ISBN: 978-0-494-68844-1 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Biblioth&que et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des thdses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non- support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L'auteur conserve la propriete du droit d'auteur ownership and moral rights in this et des droits moraux qui protege cette these. Ni thesis. Neither the thesis nor la these ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci substantial extracts from it may be ne doivent etre imprimes ou autrement printed or otherwise reproduced reproduits sans son autorisation. without the author's permission. In compliance with the Canadian Conform§ment a la loi canadienne sur la Privacy Act some supporting forms protection de la vie privee, quelques may have been removed from this formulaires secondaires ont ete enleves de thesis. cette these. While these forms may be included Bien que ces formulaires aient inclus dans in the document page count, their la pagination, il n'y aura aucun contenu removal does not represent any loss manquant. of content from the thesis. M Canada Abstract Seeds, Genes, and Stardust: A Christian Ecofeminist Ethics of the Common Good Jennifer Louise Janzen-Ball PhD, 2010 Faculty of Theology, Emmanuel College, University of St. Michael's College This thesis engages constructions of ethics of the common good through a multi- dimensional framework of feminist ecological ethics, critical feminist theories, and attention to concrete social difference. Because attention to these eco-social relations is nascent or insignificantly addressed, my aim is to contribute to an ethics of the common good by using a liberative Christian ethics methodology to seek universal goods that are held in common by connecting selves/communities as situated in terms of bio/diversity and eco-justice. I construct a case study to analyze the impacts of genetically modified crops on the lives of farmers in Canada and India and to explore ways in which discourses of the common good are used by all parties in the debate on GMOs. I apply five moral norms from Christian traditions of common good ethics to assess the case study and to analyze the role of transnational corporations and international financial institutions in globalized economics and politics. To situate the case study in theological terrain, I review a co-creators theological anthropology that arises from the dialogue between theology and science which suggests that humans participate in the ongoing evolution of the world. Because theological doctrines have real consequences for human beings and the earth, I argue that an adequate Christian ecological ii ethics of the common good must go beyond this notion of co-creator status which is inadequate to the normative reading of the case study. To connect concrete eco-social common goods and women's lives as morally significant, I draw on feminist social theory and theological ethics to discuss negotiating difference in multiple publics concerned with shaping a shared common good. I critically assess co-creator theological anthropologies, notions of sin as separation from the created order, and redemption as right eco-social relations to find moral norms for resituating human beings as earth creatures within earth community. Finally, I suggest three basepoints for a revised ecofeminist ethics of the common good - right relationship, eco-social solidarity and practices of embodied spirituality - to guide transformative praxis geared towards sustainable ecological practices and relationships of justice and mutuality among diverse people and the earth, God's body. iii Acknowledgements I have not written this thesis in solitude but in various communities, with friends, family, and colleagues offering support and encouragement both when writing was difficult and when celebrations were called for. My thesis supervisor, Marilyn Legge, has accompanied me throughout my theological studies, from my first theology class to the writing of this thesis. I thank her for first introducing me to the wonders of rigorous theological study and the grace of difference in feminist theological ethics, and for encouraging me on this journey. My thesis supervisory committee, Charles Fensham and Ron Mercier, affirmed the importance of my work. Michael Bourgeois and Chris Lind offered listening ears and valuable feedback throughout this journey. I am also grateful to church and academic communities for financial support throughout this process, including Women in Ministry grants and a McLeod scholarship from The United Church of Canada; the Frank P. Fidler Award, a Finishing Scholarship, and Graduate Student Assistantships from Emmanuel College; and the C. Douglas Jay Award for Social Ethics from the Toronto School of Theology. Many friends have walked with me, helping me to know first-hand some of what God's kindom, the common good, is like. To Hal Llewellyn, thank you for preaching about the common good at Trinity-St. Paul's United Church, which prompted this work because I disagreed with you! To both Hal and Karen Mac Kay-Llewellyn for ongoing support and encouragement throughout this process, including the wonderful gift of their house during the last weeks of revisions. And to Gail Allan, Lynn Caldwell, Lynette Plett for Friday night beers, listening ears and encouraging words; to Emily Rodgers Bisset, Robert Brewer, and Ann Dentry for the great experience of sharing doctoral work together, as well as laughter, tears, and craziness in the Merton St. house; and to Sheilagh McGlynn, Nan Hudson, Elizabeth Macdonald, and KAIROS friends for support and celebration. I am blessed by my family, immediate and extended, who have always offered their love, support, and encouragement. My parents, Fran and Barry Balls, my brothers Vincent and Trevor and sisters-in-law, Melissa LaBine and Melissa Ball, my aunt and uncle, Gail and Ken Williams, and my in-laws, Pat and John Payne, Linda and Joshua Sheppard, and Alan and Rita Graham have borne with grace and love these years of my studies. Most especially, though, I thank you for not always asking "how is it going?" And finally, to Julie for your love, unconditionally given, and the joy of sharing our lives together; for introducing me to gardening and bird-watching and thus encouraging a deeper commitment to noticing particularities and to ecological practices; for editing; and for always being there, my friend and partner. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ii Acknowledgements iv Abbreviations vii One: Common Good Ethics, Genetically Modified Organisms, and Ecology 1 Introduction 1 Methodology 3 Constructions of the Common Good 12 Outline of Thesis Chapters 22 Two: Discourses of Common Good: Conflicting Stances on GMOs 24 Introduction 24 Methodology 26 Storytelling - Proponents of GMOs in Canada and India 27 a) Canada 27 b) India 30 Storytelling - Resistance to GMOs in Canada and India 30 a) Canada 30 b) India 32 Factual Clarification 39 a) Canada 39 b) India 43 Ethical Clarification: Virtues, Values, and Norms 50 a) Monsanto's Ethical Position 51 b) Shiva and Schmeiser's Ethical Positions 58 Post-Ethical Clarification: Visions and Worldviews 62 Conclusion 68 Three: Ethical Assessment of GMO Case Study Through Common Good Ethics 70 Introduction 70 Historical Roots of Common Good Thought in Theology and Ethics 71 Contemporary Conceptions of the Common Good 77 Human Rights, Liberalism, Pluralism and the Common Good 79 Critical Contextualization of Common Good Ethics 85 Monsanto and Common Good Ethics: A Critical Normative Analysis 86 1. Freedom in Community 86 2. Needs and Rights of Individuals and Communities 89 3. Active and Equal Participation in Decision-Making 92 4. Responsibility 93 5. Solidarity 96 Amplification of Norms of Common Good Ethics 98 1. Epistemological Norm 98 2. Eco-justice and Biodiversity 99 Conclusion 101 Four: Revisiting Co-creator Status in the Dialogue of Theology and Science 102 Introduction 102 Theology and Science Dialogue 102 Historical Overview 104 Current Context of Globalization 109 Biotechnology and the Construction of Nature 112 Ethical Engagement with Theology and Science 113 Nature 114 Naturalism 117 Genetically Modified Organisms, Biodiversity, and Monocultures 121 Theological Anthropologies 124 Created Co-Creators 124
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