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Dr. E.P. Schaafsma

Professor of Theological Ethics
Dogmatics / ethics

Petruschka Schaafsma runs a research programme in the field of ethics and theology on the meaning of family, with special attention for the aspects of givenness and dependence. Starting from an approach to the family as 'mystery' (Gabriel Marcel) she draws interdisciplinary connections to in particular philosophy, social anthropology, medical ethics and social work. She teaches ethics in the Master’s degree program and hermeneutics in the Bachelor's.

Keywords areas of interest: Family, Givenness, Dependence, Agency, Evil (cf. dissertation), Hermeneutics, Paul Ricoeur

Dr. E. P. (Petruschka) Schaafsma
Lecturer in Ethics, Protestant Theological University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
T +31 (0)88 3371 811 / +31 (0)6 57973118
E epschaafsma@pthu.nl I www.pthu.nl
P Postbus 7161, 1007 MC Amsterdam
A De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam

Key Publications (full list as download)

  • 2020, Petruschka Schaafsma, ‘Why Religious Symbols? Accounting for an Unfashionable Approach’, in: Scott Davidson, A Companion to Ricoeur’s ‘The Symbolism of Evil’,  Lanham etc.: Lexington Books 2020,  69-86
  • 2018, Petruschka Schaafsma, ‘Telling Images. On the Value of a ‘Strong Image’ for Theological Ethics”, in: Michael Moxter und Markus Firchow (Eds), Die Zeit der Bilder. Ikonische Repräsentation und Temporalität, Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 144-160
  • 2015, Petruschka Schaafsma, ‘Making Sense of the Postsecular. Theological Explorations of a Critical Concept’, International Journal of Philosophy and Theology 76/2, 2015, 91–99
  • 2014, Inge van Nistelrooij, Petruschka Schaafsma, and Joan Tronto, ‘Ricoeur and the Ethics of Care’, Medicine, Healthcare and Philosophy, Vol. 17/4, 485-491
  • 2013, Petruschka Schaafsma, ‘Dignity in the Family? Analyzing Our Ambiguous Relationship to the Family and Theological Suggestions toward Overcoming It’, in: L. Juliana Claassens & Klaas Spronk (eds), Fragile Dignity. Intercontextual Conversations on Scriptures, Family, and ViolenceSemeia Studies/ Society of Biblical Literature nr. 72, Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature,  169-188
  • 2006, Petruschka Schaafsma, Reconsidering Evil. Confronting Reflections with Confessions (Studies in Philosophical Theology, vol. 36), Leuven etc.: Peeters

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