The Multidimensionality of the Body: The Problem of Eastern Christian Cardiocentrism in the Context of Transplantation

Abstract

The article is an interdisciplinary study of the Christian problem of cardiocentrism. The traditional criteria of life in Christian anthropology were breathing and heartbeat; they were considered to be manifestations of the soul that God breathed into man. Advances in medical science have led to a factual overcoming of traditional criteria for human death, such as cessation of breathing and cardiac arrest, in favor of a new criterion: brain death. Although organ donation has been legitimized by the Orthodox Church, the question of criteria for human life remains debatable. The theological position excludes the presence of the soul in any separate organ, but this does not exclude the special spiritual connection between the organs and the soul. This question is of particular importance in relation to the heart, in addition to its physical function it is also given a spiritual role in Christian anthropology. The problem of cardiocentrism in the context of transplantology seems to be very serious and requires special research.