O rosto da ecologia integral

: contributos para o despertar da consciência ecológica

Abstract

This dissertation aims to approach one of the most relevant social and religious
themes today: the sustainability of what is common - the land, the resources, and the environment. As a result of irresponsible practices of human beings, the deterioration of the ecosystems has worsened in recent years. At the same time, the individual seems to despise the harmful consequences of their unruly behaviour against the planet.
Creation has suffered a rampant exploitation due to scientific and technological
progress, and the subject does not have time to consider the effects nor control the sequence of events. Self-sufficency is the great engine of this vicious circle.
Thus, over the three chapters of this essay we intend to awaken a better ecological conscience. For this, we seek to understand the origin of such human imprecision; at the same time we reflect about the main interventions of the teachings of the Church on the matter. We try to enhance the promotion of the sustainability of the creation and the dignity of creatures. Finding the common good is to respect the dynamics of each being, taking them as a constituent part of the ecosystem, and not making them our property.
Therein lies the true ecological conversion.

Date of Award	6 Mar 2017
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Maria Isabel Pereira Varanda (Supervisor)