Baggot Michael

Fr. Michael Baggot, PhD was received into the Catholic Church on the Easter Vigil of 2003, after a high school conversion from agnosticism. He then graduated summa cum laude from Christendom College with a B.A. in Philosophy, before working in Rome as a Resident Director for the school’s study abroad program. In 2013, he received a Licentiate in Philosophy summa cum laude from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome. In 2017, he received a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology summa cum laude from the same institution. Prior to entering the seminary, Baggot reported on prominent bioethical issues as a reporter. He spent his initial period of seminary formation near Cologne, Germany. He later worked as an assistant for the Curso de Hispanidad in Mexico City and as a teacher at Pinecrest Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, before returning to Rome for further studies. He has worked as the Correspondent of the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights from 2011-2019, during which time he has penned articles for the organization’s website and for the scholarly journal Studia Bioethica. In 2015, he began contributing to the journal of religion and public life First Things. In 2016, he began teaching in the Faculty of Philosophy at the Pontifical University Regina Apostolorum. In 2016-2017, he also acted as a tutor of the Sinderesi program that aids university students in the discernment of contemporary social issues. Baggot received summa cum laude for his doctoral dissertation “Transhumanism, Thomism and True Perfection: A Thomistic Evaluation of the Admirable Aspirations and Lamentable Limitations of the Technocentric, Postmodern, Secular, Liberal Worldview of the Oxford Transhumanists” at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in the Faculty of Bioethics in June 2021. He is currently Assistant Professor of Bioethics at Regina Apostolorum. He is also Research Scholar at the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights in Rome, Italy. He was Adjunct Professor of Theology at the Christendom College Rome program from 2018-2022. His writings have appeared in First Things, Studia Bioethica, The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, and Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy. He is editor of and contributor to the book Enhancement Fit for Humanity: Perspectives on Emerging Technologies (Routledge, 2022).

Short version:

Fr. Michael Baggot, PhD is currently Assistant Professor of Bioethics at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. He is also Research Scholar at the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights in Rome, Italy. He was Adjunct Professor of Theology at the Christendom College Rome program from 2018-2022. His writings have appeared in First Things, Studia Bioethica, The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, and Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy. He is editor of and contributor to the book Enhancement Fit for Humanity: Perspectives on Emerging Technologies (Routledge, 2022).

+393402383109

Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum

titolo della tesi: “Transhumanism, Thomism, and True Perfection: A Thomistic Evaluation of the Admirable Aspirations and Lamentable Limitations of the Technocentric, Postmodern, Secular, Liberal Worldview of the Oxford Transhumanists”

10.0/10.0 summa cum laude

Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum

titolo della tesi: “The Theo-drama of Salvation History:

A mystagogical reading of the Sistine Chapel in its theological unity for the contemporary pilgrim”

9.9/10.0 summa cum laude

Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum

Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum

titolo della tesi: “Man’s Journey to God: Reflections on Man’s Pre-Philosophical, Introspective, and Metaphysical Approaches to God”

9.7/10.0 summa cum laude

Christendom College

Thesis title: “Rising with Two Wings: Man’s Knowledge of God and Reality through Common Sense, Philosophy, and Revealed Religion”

3.9/4.0 summa cum laude

Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum 

The Meaning of and Responses to Climate Change

Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum 

An Analysis of the Oxford Transhumanists

Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum 

Syllabus

Teologia morale

Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum 

Sillabo

Introduction to Moral Theology (THEO 302)

Christendom College

Syllabus

2023-present

2022-present

2021-present

2018-2021

Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum 

Sillabo

Christendom College

Syllabus

Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum 

Syllabus

Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum 

Syllabus

Pinecrest Academy

Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum 

The thesis is a critical analysis of transhumanism as a technocentric secular postmodern worldview in response to which the Thomistic integrated vision of the natural moral law virtue ethics offers a sure path to the human improvement transhumanism purports to provide. In particular, the study gives privileged attention to the Oxford School of transhumanism insofar as Nick Bostrom, Julian Savulescu, and their collaborators usually provide the most systematic philosophical presentation of key points of the transhumanist worldview. Likewise, the text draws heavily upon contemporary Thomistic thinkers to assess the legitimate desires for transcendence in the transhumanist outlook and as a corrective to the limits of the technocratic secular vision.

The work proposes a creative retrieval of Thomistic thought to present a richer vision of human flourishing and a sure guide to transcendent bliss that both fulfills and surpasses the expectations of the transhumanist worldview. Thus, the Thomist does not induce the secular transhumanist to suppress his aspirations for greatness; instead, he invites the wayward transhumanist to cultivate and order his desires toward the true goods that will bring him the eternal life for which he only confusedly but rightfully longs. Overall, this work provides a unique presentation of how the Thomistic synthesis of metaphysics, natural theology, anthropology, and virtue-centered ethics overcomes the limited perspective of the dominant technocratic paradigm to show the human person’s unique dignity and destiny for beatitude.

Baggot, M., “A Thomistic Proposal to Move Beyond the Posthuman and Toward Human Perfection,” in Transhumanismo: ¿Homo sapiens o cyborg?. Editorial UFV. Madrid 2022 (forthcoming).

Baggot, M., “A Thomistic Assessment of Contemporary Transhumanism as a Postmodern, Secular, Liberal Movement” in Baggot, M. (ed.) Enhancement Fit for Humanity: Perspectives on Emerging Technologies. Routledge. New York 2022.

Baggot, M.– García A.–Carrara A.–Tham, J. (ed.) Enhancement Fit for Humanity: Perspectives on Emerging Technologies. Routledge. New York 2022.

Tham, J.– Melahn L. – Baggot, M. “Withdrawing critical care from patients in a triage situation.” Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy. January 4, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-020-09999-4.

Baggot, M., “The Human Person: A Bioethical Word by Francis Etheredge.” The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly. Autumn 2020. https://doi.org/10.5840/ncbq202020354.

Baggot, M. – Bindi, S. – Cosmano, L. – Pisani, M. “After Quantum Physics: Shaping a New Cosmology.” Sangalli, S. (ed.) Beyond the Limits: Consequences of Technological Revolution in Society. Gregorian & Biblical Press. Rome 2017.

Baggot, M. “No, Junior, the Catholic Church is not the same as ISIS.” First Things. December 16, 2016. https://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2016/12/no-junior-the-catholic-church-is-not-the-same-as-isis.

Baggot, M. “Between the Capitals of the World.” First Things. September 30, 2016. https://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2016/09/between-the-capitals-of-the-world.

Baggot, M. “Review of Living the Truth in Love: Pastoral Approaches to Same-Sex Attraction.” First Things. March 2016.

Baggot, M. “Are Science and Faith in conflict? From Galileo and Darwin to current bioethical debates.” Studia Bioethica. Vol. 6. No. 2. March 2014. https://riviste.upra.org/index.php/bioethica/article/download/3104/2300/.

Presentazione/Presentations

Baggot, M. “Improving upon Transhumanism: A Thomistic Natural Moral Law Virtue Ethics Assessment of Moral Enhancement Proposals.” Eleventh International Thomistic Congress. September 19, 2022.

Baggot, M. “Procreative Beneficence’s Disregard for Dignity in the Pursuit of an Improved Humanity.” The de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture Fall Conference “I Have Called You by Name: Human Dignity in a Secular World.” November 13, 2021.

Baggot, M. “A Thomistic Proposal to Move Beyond the Posthuman and Toward Human Perfection.” Congreso Razón Abierta 2021. June 18, 2021.

Baggot, M. “Thomism, Transhumanism, and True Perfection.” Congresso Online de Tomismo. January 29, 2021.

Baggot, M. “From Transgenderism to Transhumanism to Transfiguration.” Catholic Apologetics Virtual Conference. October 23-25, 2020.

Benedictine College

·         Celebrate Masses, hear confessions, offer spiritual guidance to study abroad students.

·         Organize Rome itinerary with Program Directors.

·         Explain important historic sites.

Vatican Museums

·         Guided tours on an itinerary that included the Pio Clementino Museum (classical antiquity), the Gallery of the Candelabras, the Gallery of the Tapestries and the Gallery of the Geographical Maps (Renaissance Art), the Raphael Rooms, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Lumen Institute

·         Organized bible studies, film discussions, retreats, and other formative activities for local businessman interested in growing in their faith in an environment of fraternal support.

CVS Pharmacy

·         Identified and distributed patient prescriptions in accord with company privacy policies.

Christendom College

·         Mentored junior students during their Italian study-abroad program through personal contact that addressed various areas of spiritual, academic, and emotional growth the program facilitated.

·         Assisted program directors by organizing tours, grading quizzes, and implementing discipline policies.

Christendom College

·         Mentored college students and guided the activity of fellow male resident assistants on campus.

·         Responsibilities included consistent, personal contact with all enrolled male students; scheduling and directing duties of other male resident assistants; active participation in student council activities; promotion of healthy dormitory life; prudent enforcement of campus disciplinary policies.

Christendom College

·         Mentored high school seniors and juniors attending the two-week college programs.

Responsibilities included organizing cultural, athletic, and recreational trips; altar server training; personal dialogue with students.

UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights

·         Conducted research on in the field of emerging technologies.

·         Was main editor of a collection of chapters devoted to themes of emerging technologies and human enhancement.

Correspondent

UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights

·         Wrote news articles for the organization’s website www.unescobiochair.org and scholarly articles for the journal Studia Bioethica.

·         Reviewed a series of talks for the 2^nd International Conference on Bioethics, Multiculturalism and Religion in Rome.

2011-2019

Sacerdos Institute

·         Accompanied US diocesan priests and seminaries during their immersion program in the Spanish language.

·         Helped to organize tours and other cultural activities in Mexico City.

+39 3408637698, [email protected]

Mark Wunsch, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Academic Director of the Rome Program of Christendom College

+1 800 877 5456 ext. 1320, [email protected]  

Daniel Musso, Executive Director of the Center for International Education of Benedictine College

+1 913 360 2790, [email protected]  

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