In the midst of the quandaries posed in the bioethics arena, survival may seem the only goal that is desirable or achievable. The conclusion of the board of The Tennessee Center for Bioethics & Culture, however, is that while survival is certainly important, our organization should be about more. It should be about human thriving, or flourishing. We even have a visual image for that!
Last June, local multimedia artist, Carol Harkness, gifted our organization with this beautiful original mixed media mosaic on birchwood (11.5″ X 11.5″), in a hand-rubbed walnut frame. It was presented to June’s top donors to The Tennessee Center for Bioethics & Culture, and they “regifted” it to the center. The photo above shows the work, Flourishing.
As to the theme of Flourishing, each newsletter of 2020 will present a story or example regarding some aspect of human flourishing. English philosopher and writer, Sir Roger Scruton (27 February 1944 – 12 January 2020) contributed much to the world. Among his many works, Scruton examined the concept of beauty. Here is the link to a documentary he left as part of his legacy: Why Beauty Matters? In it, Scruton asks some very important questions about the nature and place of art. Despite the use of some graphic language and visual images (presented as antithesis of beauty), the hour spent viewing the video leaves one feeling encouraged, hopeful; that beauty does indeed matter.
If you aren’t already, subscribe to our monthly newsletter to follow our stories of flourishing this year.