Beth Haile Ph.D. '10

Hometown

Goose Creek, South Carolina

Education

Ph.D., Theological Ethics, Boston College (2010)
B.A., Religious Studies, University of Virginia (2006)

Research

My dissertation examines the moral dimension of eating disorders and body dissatisfaction. From a Thomistic ethical perspective, I argue that thin-ideal internalization (the extent to which one "buys into" a societal standard of thinness) is a form of connatural knowledge that eventually becomes habitual. I am interested in continuing my work in the affective and emotional dimension of practical reasoning and virtue ethics, as well any topic related to the theology of Thomas Aquinas.

Notable activities

The most notable thing I accomplished while at Boston College was marrying my husband, Scott Haile, who is also a graduate student in New Testament..

Why did you choose the theology Ph.D. program at Boston College?

I chose Boston College so I could work with some of my theological heroes whom I had read and admired from afar. I knew that as far as studying ethics goes, you can't get a much better graduate education than Boston College.

What are your plans for the future?

I defended my dissertation in November (2010) and am headed to Carroll College this fall to teach as their new professor of moral theology. I would also like to get my dissertation published and see the Dallas Mavericks win a championship!