Pathway Ethics

About Pathway Ethics

" . . . He will make straight your paths" (Proverbs 3:6)

Pathway Ethics, formerly iEthics, is published on a regular basis, directs focus toward contemporary cultural moral issues that hold ethical implications. The series is based upon the Center's key moral purpose to enhance life's sanctity, human dignity, and to promote holistic peace in every human life. While written from a Christian ethical perspective, the articles provide helpful material that has been embraced by a wide group of readers from various faith traditions.
Each feature supplies historical and contemporary cultural background to the issue at hand, pinpoints the ethical intersection of the moral dilemma, and offers suggestions for further reflection and social action. Many of the articles also provide helpful resources for readers. Hopefully, the articles will eventually make their way to supper tables, Bible study groups, Christian family discussions, and classrooms. Articles of current interest will be posted on this page.

Dr. Ashlock also provides bioethics and clinical ethics training for health care clinicians, chaplains, medical personnel, and people who are interested in these emerging fields and the moral dilemmas that have surfaced with the advent of life-extending medical technologies. Classes and conferences are provided as an extension of the Center's work.

Pathway Ethics Articles

Digging In or Leading the Way?
January 27th, 2021
“Science tells us that when you tell someone they’re wrong, they’re more likely to dig in than to experience a change of heart.” (1) Such a claim applies to other areas beyond science and holds broad moral implications since the statement was first directed toward those who oppose childhood vaccinations. Similar resistance has surfaced with the advent of COVID-19 vaccinations, and is reflected in ...
Alzheimer’s Disease: The Long Gray Hallway
August 20th, 2020
Ever increasing numbers of older Americans begin a slow walk down “the long gray hallway” years before their symptoms are diagnosed as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Alzheimer’s, a significant cause of dementia among older people, “is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks of daily living.” ...
Organ Donation, Transplantation
December 10th, 2019
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The only gift is a portion of thyself.” He surely could not have foreseen organ donation and transplantation when thinking of a gift, but the sentiment applies well to this pressing issue. There are 128,878 men, women and children currently on the transplant list awaiting an “organ gift,” and 22 people die daily while waiting for a transplant.An organ transplant is ...
Opioid Abuse and Addiction
November 26th, 2019
Dr.Tom Frieden, Director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently wrote, "We know of no other medication routinely used for a nonfatal condition that kills patients so frequently." He wrote concerning prescription opioids that are used to treat long-term pain management. Frieden also states that “One out of every 550 patients started on opioid therapy died of opioid-related causes a media...