Wonderfully Made: A Catholic Introduction to Philosophy and Bioethics introduces Catholic high school students to the foundations of philosophy and how philosophical principles apply to bioethics in order to form a clear, faithful understanding of the dignity of the human person. Grounded in Christian anthropology and the Church's ethic of life, this textbook equips students to think clearly, speak confidently, and engage complex life issues with wisdom instead of polarization.
Rather than framing bioethical questions as abstract debates, Wonderfully Made helps students explore who the human person is, what we are made for, and why human dignity matters. This philosophical foundation prepares students to thoughtfully address contemporary issues such as procreation, abortion, in vitro fertilization, frozen embryos, end-of-life suffering, and euthanasia.
Developed in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of Catholic theologians, ethicists, biologists, philosophers, and educators--Wonderfully Made presents complex ideas in a clear, accessible, step-by-step manner that supports both comprehension and critical thinking.
Part I introduces students to philosophy by tracing its history and core concepts. Students examine how philosophy seeks wisdom, how ethics guide human flourishing and happiness, and how philosophical anthropology illuminates what makes human beings unique and morally responsible.
Part II applies these philosophical principles to contemporary bioethical issues, helping students connect theory to real-world moral questions through a Catholic lens.
This two-part, sixteen-chapter textbook may be used for a one- or two-semester course or adapted to other schedules. Approved by the USCCB as an elective course, Wonderfully Made is well suited for classes in philosophy, morality, ethics, and Theology of the Body or a senior seminar on bioethical issues.
Each chapter includes
- focus questions;
- key vocabulary;
- section assessments;
- a student project;
- a Hero of Virtue profile;
- prayer reflections; and
- subject and primary source indices.
The student-friendly six-by-nine-inch format makes the book easy to use and carry throughout the school year.
