Research Interests
Open for online discussions — contact: pchummar@gmail.com
Theme 1 — HIV/AIDS: Ethics in the African Context
A search for a deeper ethical understanding of HIV/AIDS from social, sexual and medical ethical aspects. The new strategy term in the priorities in the fight against HIV/AIDS according to UNAIDS is "comprehensive approach" — UNAIDS is convinced that "comprehensive approaches to prevention bring the best results."
As a lecturer of ethics, this raises the question: what are the ethical solutions against the pandemic, and how are they related to the fundamental ethical principles in the African context? To what extent is it possible to implement these principles in African societies? What are the difficulties for their implementation? How do society and faith communities understand the care for HIV/AIDS victims from ethical aspects, and how do they implement them in Africa?
Theme 2 — Politics and Ethics: In Search of Ethical Foundations
Does politics need an ethical rein? A search for ethical foundations for a better politics. Disparities in coalitions, disagreements, lack of principles, incredibility, accumulation of power and riches — the list of accusations against politics and politicians is endless. In short, the ordinary people say: "Politics is a dirty business!" But is politics, in essence and structure, so bad and non-ethical? Should politics be guided by opinion polls?
Not all students of today and tomorrow may be active politicians, but by the very vocation of a citizen each person has a serious responsibility to help fellow citizens form morally sound consciences, thereby promoting good citizenship along with strong beliefs and building up their nation. Is there a serious need to gain a deeper understanding of the ethical principles found in the traditions of ethics that are necessary for ethically sustainable politics? Though politics and ethics are not identical, they are interwoven. What are the ethical foundations for a sound politics so that a better future can be built up?
Still to be updated.