In this philosophically rich lecture, John Berkman, Professor of Moral Theology at Regis College, University of Toronto explores what it means to speak of happiness, not as a fleeting feeling, but as the flourishing of a creature according to its nature.
Drawing on Scripture, Christian tradition and classical philosophy, he argues that both human and non-human animals are created with their own capacities and purposes, and that their “blessedness” lies in being able to live and flourish in accordance with these.
He offers a critique of approaches that focus primarily on reducing suffering, suggesting that this risks overlooking the deeper question of what constitutes a good life for each creature.
Instead, he calls for a renewed theological vision in which animals are understood as creatures of God with their own forms of flourishing, inviting Christians to attend more closely to the lives of particular species and to seek their good as part of God’s creation.
