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Jason T. Eberl, Ph.D.

Director; Professor
Department of Health Care Ethics

Education

  • B.A. in philosophy and Spanish from the University of San Diego
  • M.A. in philosophy from Arizona State University
  • Ph.D. in philosophy from Saint Louis University

Research Interests

Beginning-of-life issues, end-of-life care, biotechnology and human enhancement, healthcare allocation, philosophy of human nature, and Thomism.

Publications and Media Placements

Books

  • Eberl, J.T., The Nature of Human Persons: Metaphysics and Bioethics (University of Notre Dame Press, 2020).
  • Eberl, J.T., ed., Contemporary Controversies in Catholic Bioethics (Springer, 2017).
  • Eberl, J.T., The Routledge Guidebook to Aquinas’s Summa Theologiae (Routledge, 2016).
  • Eberl, J.T., Thomistic Principles and Bioethics (Routledge, 2006).

Journal Articles

  • Eberl, J.T., “Who Wants to Live Forever? Transhumanist Immortality and Christian Eternity” Christian Bioethics 31:2 (2025).
  • Brummett, Abram and Eberl, J.T., “The Reasonable Content of Conscience in Public Bioethics” Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics (2024).
  • Eberl, J.T., “Ontological Chimeras: Human Beings as Rational Animals” Dignitas 30:3 (2023): 10-16.
  • Maldonado, Fabien and Eberl, J.T., “Bearing the Burden of ‘Innovation’: The Ontological Implications of Substantial Equivalence and the FDA 510(k) Pathway” CHEST 163:5 (2023): 1225-1227.
  • Brummett, Abram and Eberl, J.T., “The Many Metaphysical Commitments of Secular Clinical Ethics: Expanding the Argument for a Moral–Metaphysical Proceduralism” Bioethics 36:7 (2022): 783-793.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Disability, Enhancement, and Flourishing” Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 47:5 (2022): 597-611.
  • McTavish, James and Eberl, J.T., “Is COVID-19 Vaccination ‘Ordinary’ (Morally Obligatory) Treatment?” The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 22:2 (2022): 319-333.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Losing One’s Head or Gaining a New Body?” Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 47:2 (2022): 189-209.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Enhancing the Imago Dei: Can a Christian be a Transhumanist?” Christian Bioethics 28:1 (2022): 76-93.
  • Friedrich, Annie B. and Eberl, J.T., “Catholic Perspective on Decision-Making for Critically Ill Newborns and Infants” Children 9:2 (2022).
  • Eberl, J.T., “Are Christians Morally Obligated to Be Vaccinated for COVID-19?” Review and Expositor 119:1-2 (2022): 64-75.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Is There a Moral Obligation to be Vaccinated for COVID-19?” Health Care Ethics USA 30:1 (2022): 33-39.
  • Bishop, Jeffrey P. and Eberl, J.T., “Point: Is It Ethically Permissible to Unilaterally Withdraw Life-Sustaining Treatments during Crisis Standards of Care? Yes” CHEST 159:6 (2021): 2165-2166.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Unilateral Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment within Crisis Standards of Care” Health Care Ethics USA 29:1 (2021): 8-10.
  • Redinger, Michael J. and Eberl, J.T., “New Developments in End-of-Life Teaching for Roman Catholic Healthcare: The Implications of Samaritanus Bonus (“The Good Samaritan”)” American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine 39:5 (2021): 501-503.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Visions of the Common Good: Engelhardt’s Engagement with Catholic Social Teaching” Christian Bioethics 27:1 (2021): 30-49.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Surviving Corruptionist Arguments: Response to Nevitt” Quaestiones Disputatae 10:2 (2020): 145-160.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Addressing Vulnerability Due to Cognitive Impairment through Catholic Social Teaching” The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 20:2 (2020): 243-250.
  • Sullivan, William F. … Participants of the Ninth IACB International Colloquium, “Promoting Capabilities to MakeHealthcare Decisions” The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 20:2 (2020): 355-371.
  • The COVID-19 Task Force of the Association of Bioethics Program Directors (ABPD), “Ethical Challenges Arising in the COVID-19 Pandemic” American Journal of Bioethics 20:7 (2020): 15-27.
  • Antommaria, Armand H. Matheny … Eberl, J.T., “Ventilator Triage Policies During the COVID-19 Pandemic at US Hospitals Associated with Members of the Association of Bioethics Program Directors” Annals of Internal Medicine (2020): DOI: 10.7326/M20-1738.
  • Eberl, J.T. and Donovan, G. Kevin, “Is It Ethical to Unilaterally Withdraw Life-Sustaining Treatment in Triage Circumstances?” Health Progress 101:2 (2020).
  • Eberl, J.T. and Ostertag, Christopher, “Conscientious Refusals in Health Care” Health Care Ethics USA 28:1 (2020): 7-11.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Protecting Reasonable Conscientious Refusals in Health Care” Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics 40:6 (2019): 565-581.
  • Eberl, J.T., “A Bioethical Vision” Journal of Catholic Social Thought 16:2 (2019): 279-293.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Can Prudence Be Enhanced?” Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 43:5 (2018): 506-526.
  • Eberl, J.T., “I Am My Brother’s Keeper: Communitarian Obligations to the Dying Person” Christian Bioethics 24:1 (2018): 38-58.
  • Winright, Tobias, Eberl, J.T., and Coleman, Gerald, “Moral Lessons from the Life of Alfie Evans: Two Ethical Perspectives” Health Care Ethics USA 26:3 (2018): 1-11.
  • Eberl, J.T. and Ostertag, Christopher, “Conscience, Compromise, and Complicity” Proceedings of the American Catholic Philosophical Association 92 (2018).
  • Eberl, J.T., “The Ontological and Moral Significance of Persons” Scientia et Fides 5:2 (2017): 217-36.
  • Waters, Nicole P., Schmale, Trenton, Goetz, Allison, Eberl, J.T., and Wells, Jessica H. “A Call to Promote Healthcare Justice: A Summary of Integrated Outpatient Clinics Exemplifying Principles of Catholic Social Teaching” The Linacre Quarterly 84:1 (2017): 57-73.
  • Eberl, J.T., “A Thomistic Defense of Whole-Brain Death” The Linacre Quarterly 82:3 (2015): 235-250.
  • Eberl, J.T., “A Thomistic Appraisal of Human Enhancement Technologies” Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics 35:4 (2014): 289-310.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Religious and Secular Perspectives on the Value of Suffering” The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 12:2 (2012): 251-261.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Metaphysical and Moral Status of Cryopreserved Embryos” The Linacre Quarterly 79:3 (2012): 304-315.
  • Eberl, J.T., Kinney, Eleanor K., and Williams, Matthew J., “Foundation for a Natural Right to Health Care” The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 36:6 (2011): 537-57.
  • Eberl, J.T., “The Unactualized Potential of PVS Patients” APA Newsletter on Philosophy and Medicine 11:1 (2011): 14-18.
  • Eberl, J.T., “‘I, Clone’: How Cloning is (Mis)portrayed in Contemporary Cinema” Film and History 40:2 (2010): 27-44.
  • Eberl, J.T., “What Dignitas personae Does Not Say” The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 10:1 (2010): 89-110.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Varieties of Dualism: Swinburne and Aquinas” International Philosophical Quarterly 50:1 (2010): 39-56.
  • Eberl, J.T. and Ballard, Rebecca A., “Metaphysical and Ethical Perspectives on Creating Animal-Human Chimeras”The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 34:5 (2009): 470-486.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Ambiguities and Inconsistencies among the Opinions of the AMA Code of Medical Ethics” APANewsletter on Philosophy and Medicine 8:2 (2009): 4-6.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Potentiality, Possibility, and the Irreversibility of Death” The Review of Metaphysics 62:1 (2008): 61-77.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Cultivating the Virtue of Acknowledged Responsibility” Proceedings of the American CatholicPhilosophical Association 82 (2008): 249-61.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Dualist and Animalist Perspectives on Death: A Comparison with Aquinas” The National CatholicBioethics Quarterly 7:3 (2007): 477-489.
  • Eberl, J.T., “A Thomistic Perspective on the Beginning of Personhood: Redux” Bioethics 21:5 (2007): 283-289.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Pomponazzi and Aquinas on the Intellective Soul” The Modern Schoolman 83:1 (2005): 65-77.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Extraordinary Care and the Spiritual Goal of Life: A Defense of the View of Kevin O’Rourke, O.P.” The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 5:3 (2005): 491-501.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Aquinas’s Account of Human Embryogenesis and Recent Interpretations” The Journal of Medicine andPhilosophy 30:4 (2005): 379-394.
  • Eberl, J.T., “A Thomistic Understanding of Human Death” Bioethics 19:1 (2005): 29-48.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Aquinas on the Nature of Human Beings” The Review of Metaphysics 58:2 (2004): 333-365.
  • Eberl, J.T., “Aquinas on Euthanasia, Suffering, and Palliative Care” The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 3:2(2003): 331-354.
  • Eberl, J.T., “The Metaphysics of Resurrection: Issues of Identity in Thomas Aquinas” Proceedings of the AmericanCatholic Philosophical Association 74 (2000): 215-30.
  • Eberl, J.T., “The Beginning of Personhood: A Thomistic Biological Analysis” Bioethics 14:2 (2000): 134-157.

Book Chapters

  • Eberl, J.T., and Bedford, Elliott, “Managing Spiritual Issues in Religiously Affiliated Health Systems” Medical Professionalism: Theory, Education, and Practice, ed. Thomas D. Harter and Gia Merlo (Oxford University Press, 2024).
  • Eberl, J.T., “Dignity and Vulnerability at the End of Life: Reflections on Samaritanus bonus” Cuerpos Vulnerables, ed. Luca Valera (Universidad de Chile, 2024).
  • Eberl, J.T., and Romero, Miguel, “The Tree of Life: Aquinas, Disability, and Transhumanism” Bioenhancement Technologies and the Vulnerable Body, ed. Devan Stahl (Baylor University Press, 2023).
  • Eberl, J.T., “Does Enhancement Violate Human ‘Nature’?” The Routledge Handbook of the Ethics of Human Enhancement, ed. Fabrice Jotterand and Marcello Ienca (Routledge, 2023).
  • Eberl, J.T., “Enhancement Technologies and Children” Pediatric Ethics: Theory and Practice, ed. Nico Nortjé and Johan Bester (Springer, 2022).
  • Eberl, J.T., “A Bioethical Vision” Pope Francis: A Voice for Mercy, Justice, Love, and Care for the Earth, ed. Barbara E. Wall and Massimo Faggioli (Orbis, 2019).
  • Eberl, J.T., “Philosophical Anthropology, Ethics, and Human Enhancement” Contemporary Controversies in Catholic Bioethics, ed. Jason T. Eberl (Springer, 2017).
  • Eberl, J.T., “A Thomistic Appraisal of Human Enhancement Technologies” Thomas Aquinas: Teacher of Humanity,ed. John P. Hittinger and Daniel C. Wagner (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2015).
  • Eberl, J.T., “Persons with Potential” Potentiality: Metaphysical and Bioethical Dimensions, ed. John P. Lizza (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2014).
  • Eberl, J.T., “There are No Circumstances in which a Doctor May Withhold Information” Contemporary Debates inBioethics, ed. Arthur L. Caplan and Robert Arp (Wiley-Blackwell, 2014).
  • Eberl, J.T., “Ontological Status of Whole-Brain Dead Individuals” The Ethics of Organ Transplantation, ed. StevenJensen (Catholic University of America Press, 2011).
  • Eberl, J.T. and Brown, Brandon P., “Brain Life and the Argument from Potential: Affirming the Ontological Status of Human Embryos and Fetuses” Persons, Moral Worth, and Embryos: A Critical Analysis of Pro-Choice Arguments, ed. Stephen Napier (Springer, 2011).
  • Eberl, J.T., “The Necessity of Lex aeterna in Aquinas’s Account of Lex naturalis” Lex and Ius: Essays on the Foundation of Law in Medieval and Early Modern Philosophy, ed. Alexander Fidora, Matthias Lutz-Bachmann, and Andreas Wagner (Frommann-Holzboog, 2010).
  • Eberl, J.T., “Thomism and the Beginning of Personhood” Defining the Beginning and End of Life: Readings onPersonal Identity and Bioethics, ed. John P. Lizza (Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 2009).
  • Eberl, J.T., “Do Human Persons Persist between Death and Resurrection?” Metaphysics and God: Essays in Honor of Eleonore Stump, ed. Kevin Timpe (Routledge, 2009).
  • Eberl, J.T. and Helft, Paul R., “Donner un organe: Le modèle américain” (Organ Donation: The American Model), trans. Jason Dean, Donner, recevoir un organe, ed. Marie-Jo Thiel (Presses Universitaires de Strasbourg,2009).
  • Eberl, J.T., “La notion de souffrance et son rôle dans la définition des soins extraordinaires” (Understanding Suffering and Its Role in Defining Extraordinary Care), trans. Jason Dean, Les rites autour du mourir, ed. Marie-Jo Thiel (Presses Universitaires de Strasbourg, 2008).
  • Brown, Brandon P. and Eberl, J.T., “Ethical Considerations in Defense of Embryo Adoption” The Ethics of EmbryoAdoption and the Catholic Tradition, ed. Sarah-Vaughan Brakman and Darlene F. Weaver (Springer, 2007).
  • Meslin, Eric M., Salmon, Karen R., Eberl, J.T., “Eligibility for Organ Transplantation by Foreign Nationals: TheRelationship between Citizenship, Justice, and Philanthropy as Policy Criteria,” A Death Retold: JesicaSantillan, the Bungled Transplant, and Paradoxes of Medical Citizenship, ed. Keith Wailoo, Julie Livingston, and Peter Guarnaccia (University of North Carolina Press, 2006).

Media Placements

  • “Disagreeing Well” – Conflict Managed Podcast.
  • “Christianity, Transhumanism, and Popular Culture” – AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast.
  • “A.I. and Personhood, Part 2” – The Episcopal Podcast.
  • “A.I. and Personhood, Part 1” – The Episcopal Podcast.
  • “Transhumanism” – The Episcopal Podcast.
  • “Aggressive End-of-Life Care Remains Common, Especially in Nursing Homes” – Medical Ethics Advisor 39:4 (April 2023).
  • “‘Human Composting’ Debate: A Deeper Dive into the Catholic Teaching on the Dignity of Human Remains” – National Catholic Register.
  • “Conscientious Refusals to Provide Morally Contested Healthcare Services by Healthcare Professionals.” ProfessionalFormation.org – Healthcare Professionalism: Education, Research, and Resources.
  • “Why Experts are Skeptical of Elon Musk’s Brain Implants.” Healthline.com.
  • “Catholic Teaching on Health Care Is Part of God’s Gift of Love to the World.” National Catholic Register.
  • “Catholic Moral Tradition Shines Light on Hard Questions About Abortion.” National Catholic Register.
  • “Pandemic, Abortion Ruling Bring Ethical Issues to Forefront.” Catholic Health World. 
  • “When HIV Stigma and Conscientious Objection Collide.” Medscape.
  • “The Catholic Church Is Dictating Reproductive Health Care — Even in Blue States.” Salon.com.
  • “Ethics of Vaccine Mandates.” Newsweek Debates Podcast. [https://art19.com/shows/the-debate/episodes/be235edf-7d55-42a8-9c1c-feb52b1e5a3f]
  • “Critical Dialogue on Vaccine Mandates.” National Catholic Bioethics Center “Bioethics on Air” series.
  • Part 1:
  • Part 2:
  • Part 3:
  • “Doubters and Dodgers Push for Vaccine Exemptions.”
  • “Some Catholic Colleges Forgo Vaccine Mandates, Worrying Public Health Experts” National Catholic Reporter.
  • “Possible Brain Death Law Changes Pose Ethical Concerns” National Catholic Reporter.
  • “Unmasking the Vaccines: What Does the Church Teach?” Salt + Light Television “Ethics and Pandemics” Series.
  • “Ethicist says COVID vaccine plans align with Catholic teachings,” Catholic Health World.
  • “Catholics Must Weigh Ethical Considerations in the Development of COVID-19 Vaccine,” St. Louis Review. [https://www.archstl.org/catholics-must-weigh-ethical-considerations-in-the-development-of-covid19-vaccine-5968]
  • “Bioethics Must ‘Break Out’ of Ivory Tower and Engage Society, Academic Says,” CRUX.
  • “An ‘Ethical Failure’ — Many Hospitals Rushed to Update Triage Policies As Pandemic Loomed,” Saint Louis Public Radio 90.7 KWMU.
  • “COVID-19: Prepare for Care-Rationing—Know Your Hospital Policies,” Neurology Today.
  • “Catholic Hospitals Come under Fire in Debate over Conscience Rights,” CRUX. [https://cruxnow.com/interviews/2018/08/28/catholic-hospitals-come-under-fire-in-debate-over-conscience-rights/]
  • “Death Talk is Cool at this Festival,” National Public Radio.
  • “Good Doctor-Good Catholic: The Influence of Faith in Medical Care,” Catholic Radio Indianapolis 89.1/90.9. [https://podcast.catholicradioindy.org/e/the-faith-filled-physician-good-doctor-good-catholic-the-influence-of-faith-in-medical-care-with-fr-ryan-mccarthy-and-jason-eberl-phd/]

Professional Organizations and Associations

  • American Catholic Philosophical Association
  • American Philosophical Association
  • American Society for Bioethics and Humanities
  • Association of Bioethics Program Directors
  • Association for Practical and Professional Ethics
  • Catholic Health Association
  • Catholic Theological Society of America
  • Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity
  • International Association of Bioethics
  • International Association of Catholic Bioethics
  • International Association for Education in Ethics
  • National Catholic Bioethics Center
  • Society of Christian Ethics
  • Society of Christian Philosophers