The Evolution of Altruism and the Ordering of Love

The Evolution of Altruism and the Ordering of Love PDF Author: Stephen J. Pope
Publisher: Georgetown University Press
ISBN: 9781589014404
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 186

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Book Description
In this book, Stephen J. Pope argues that contemporary scientifically-based theories of the evolution of altruism provide important insights into one of the fundamental moral problems of Christian ethics, the natural basis of love and its ordering. He explores the contributions evolutionary theory makes to our understanding of the biological foundations of kin preference and reciprocal care, the limits of love, and the need for an ordering of love—issues relevant to any ethic that accords a central role to the deeply natural affections found in friendship, marriage, and the family. He proposes that understanding human nature in its broader evolutionary context brings to ethics a needed balance between the personal and biological dimensions of human nature. In the context of Catholic ethics, Pope points out functional similarities between Thomas Aquinas's use of then-available scientific theories in his interpretation of the natural basis of primary relationships and Pope's own efforts to avoid the deficiencies that characterize contemporary Catholic interpretations of love based on personalism and existentialism. He concludes with a call for a multidimensional interpretation of love, one that incorporates scientifically-based theories about human nature together with an appreciation of the significance of motives, intentions, and freedom, for the ordering of human affections and moral responsibility. This book will be of interest to moral theologians, especially those concerned with the topics of love, justice, and natural law ethics.

The Evolution of Altruism and the Ordering of Love

The Evolution of Altruism and the Ordering of Love PDF Author: Stephen J. Pope
Publisher: Georgetown University Press
ISBN: 9781589014404
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 186

Get Book Here

Book Description
In this book, Stephen J. Pope argues that contemporary scientifically-based theories of the evolution of altruism provide important insights into one of the fundamental moral problems of Christian ethics, the natural basis of love and its ordering. He explores the contributions evolutionary theory makes to our understanding of the biological foundations of kin preference and reciprocal care, the limits of love, and the need for an ordering of love—issues relevant to any ethic that accords a central role to the deeply natural affections found in friendship, marriage, and the family. He proposes that understanding human nature in its broader evolutionary context brings to ethics a needed balance between the personal and biological dimensions of human nature. In the context of Catholic ethics, Pope points out functional similarities between Thomas Aquinas's use of then-available scientific theories in his interpretation of the natural basis of primary relationships and Pope's own efforts to avoid the deficiencies that characterize contemporary Catholic interpretations of love based on personalism and existentialism. He concludes with a call for a multidimensional interpretation of love, one that incorporates scientifically-based theories about human nature together with an appreciation of the significance of motives, intentions, and freedom, for the ordering of human affections and moral responsibility. This book will be of interest to moral theologians, especially those concerned with the topics of love, justice, and natural law ethics.

Sex and Love in the Home, Second Edition

Sex and Love in the Home, Second Edition PDF Author: David M. McCarthy
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1610970357
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 313

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Book Description
This book inaugurates a completely new way of thinking about the ethics of marriage and sex. I know of no book on the subject more promising than what McCarthy has achieved here. Stanley Hauerwas, Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics, Duke University Much has been written in Christian theology about sex, love, and procreation, but their social meanings and contributions are much more rarely addressed. McCarthy now takes this greatly neglected task, eloquently connecting the Christian household to the common good. All those who want to realize the social vocation of the Christian family will find in this work a rich and challenging resource for understanding and for life. Lisa Sowle Cahill, J. Donald Monan Professor of Theology, Boston College Drawing on his own experience of learning how to be a husband and father, David Matzko McCarthy offers wonderfully incisive and readable reflections on the habits of the household--a neighborly space which resists consumerism--and enables sexual relationships to be ordinary, meaningful, and passionate. If you think that all that Christian theology has to say about sex and relationships is twaddle about complementarity and family values, then this is the book for you. Gerard Loughlin, Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies, University of Newcastle upon Tyne

Journal of Moral Theology, Volume 5, Number 1

Journal of Moral Theology, Volume 5, Number 1 PDF Author: David M. McCarthy
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1498294448
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 199

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Book Description
Grace and Peace in the Earthly City Volume 5, Number 1, January 2016 Edited by David M. McCarthy Catholic Moral Traditions and Energy Ethics For the Twenty-First Century Erin Lothes Biviano, David Cloutier, Elaine Padilla, Christiana Z. Peppard, and Jame Schaefer Human Capacities and the Problem of Universally Equal Dignity: Two Philosophical Test Cases and a Theistic Response Matthew Petrusek A Case Study of Scholasticism: Peter Abelard and Peter Lombard on Penance Lucas Briola An Analysis of GSUSA's Policy of Serving Transgender Youth: Implications for Catholic Practice John Grabowski and Christopher Gross "For He is our Peace:" Thomas Aquinas on Christ As Cause of Peace in the City of Saints Matthew A. Tapie Infused Virtue and "22-Carat"Morally Right ACTS Angela Knobel Natural Law: New Directions In Thomistic Theological Ethics Charles R. Pinches Review Essay on the Social Problem of Family Homes for Conviviality David Matzko McCarthy

Happiness and the Christian Moral Life

Happiness and the Christian Moral Life PDF Author: Paul J. Wadell
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1442255188
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 321

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Book Description
Happiness and the Christian Moral Life introduces students to Christian ethics through the lens of happiness. The book suggests that the heart of ethics is not rules and obligations but our deep desire for happiness and fulfillment. We achieve that happiness when we become people who love the good and seek it in everything we do. The third edition of this reader-friendly text has been revised and updated throughout. It introduces Christian ethics with sensitivity towards readers who may not be Christian themselves. After an overview of basic concepts and key thinkers such as Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, subsequent chapters explore the importance of narrative in Christian ethics, the place of friendship and community in Christian moral life, the role of virtues in our quest for fulfillment, a Christian understanding of the person, a Christian theology of freedom, and false steps on the path to happiness. Final chapters discuss the role of conscience and prudence, love, and justice. The third edition has been re-structured to better meet teaching needs by moving the discussion of narrative earlier in the book. This edition features fresh, global examples; revised introductions to key thinkers; discussions of tough, contemporary topics such as hook-up culture; careful consideration of the words of Pope Francis on themes ranging from consumerism and freedom to love and the environment; and more.

The Equal-Regard Family and Its Friendly Critics

The Equal-Regard Family and Its Friendly Critics PDF Author: John Witte
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 080284569X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 307

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Book Description
This volume is both a celebration and an evaluation of the work on sex, marriage, and family life by Don S. Browning, the dean of modern family studies in theological ethics and practical theology. Scholars probe a number of Browning?'s contributions, particularly his call for an ethic of ?equal regard? within the household and wider society. This book is a true interdisciplinary effort, with insights from psychology, history, law, theology, biology, ethics, feminist theology, childhood studies, and education theory. The Equal-Regard Family and Its Friendly Critics includes seven honorary forewords, ten original essays, and a concluding essay by Don Browning himself. Contributors: Herbert Anderson Carol Browning Don S. Browning Lisa Sowle Cahill M. Christian Green Timothy P. Jackson Martin E. Marty Rebekah Miles Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore Richard Robert Osmer Garrett E. Paul Stephen J. Pope David Popenoe Stephen M. Tipton Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen Linda J. Waite John Wall Amy Wheeler Barbara Dafoe Whitehead John Witte Jr.

God's Wounds: Hermeneutic of the Christian Symbol of Divine Suffering, Volume One

God's Wounds: Hermeneutic of the Christian Symbol of Divine Suffering, Volume One PDF Author: Jeff B. Pool
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1556354649
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 379

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Book Description
This book constitutes the first volume of a three-volume study of Christian testimonies to divine suffering: God's Wounds: Hermeneutic of the Christian Symbol of Divine Suffering, Divine Vulnerability and Creation. This study first develops an approach to interpreting the contested claims about the suffering of God. Thus, the larger study focuses its inquiry into the testimonies to divine suffering themselves, seeking to allow the voices that attest to divine suffering to speak freely, to discover and elucidate the internal logic or rationality of this family of testimonies, rather than defending these attestations against the dominant claims of classical Christian theism that have historically sought to eliminate such language altogether from Christian discourse about the nature and life of God. Through this approach this volume of studies into the Christian symbol of divine suffering then investigates the two major presuppositions that the larger family of testimonies to divine suffering normally hold: an understanding of God through the primary metaphor of love (God is love); and an understanding of the human as created in the image of God, with a life (though finite) analogous to the divine life--the imago Dei as love. When fully elaborated, these presuppositions reveal the conditions of possibility for divine suffering and divine vulnerability with respect to creation.

The Fullness of Free Time

The Fullness of Free Time PDF Author: Conor M. Kelly
Publisher: Georgetown University Press
ISBN: 1647120152
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 280

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Book Description
The first book to use the Catholic theological tradition to explore the importance of free time, The Fullness of Free Time addresses a crucial topic in the ethics of everyday life, providing a useful framework for scholars and students of moral theology and philosophy as well as anyone hoping to make their free time more meaningful.

God's Wounds: Hermeneutic of the Christian Symbol of Divine Suffering, Volume Two

God's Wounds: Hermeneutic of the Christian Symbol of Divine Suffering, Volume Two PDF Author: Jeff B. Pool
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1556354657
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 545

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Book Description
This book constitutes the second volume of a three-volume study of Christian testimonies to divine suffering: God's Wounds: Hermeneutic of the Christian Symbol of Divine Suffering, vol. 2, Evil and Divine Suffering. The larger study focuses its inquiry into the testimonies to divine suffering themselves, seeking to allow the voices that attest to divine suffering to speak freely, then to discover and elucidate the internal logic or rationality of this family of testimonies, rather than defending these attestations against the dominant claims of classical Christian theism that have historically sought to eliminate such language altogether from Christian discourse about the nature and life of God. This second volume of studies proceeds on the basis of the presuppositions of this symbol, those implicit attestations that provide the conditions of possibility for divine suffering-that which constitutes divine vulnerability with respect to creation-as identified and examined in the first volume of this project: an understanding of God through the primary metaphor of love (God is love); and an understanding of the human as created in the image of God, with a life (though finite) analogous to the divine life-the imago Dei as love. The second volume then investigates the first two divine wounds or modes of divine suffering to which the larger family of testimonies to divine suffering normally attest: (1) divine grief, suffering because of betrayal by the beloved human or human sin; and (2) divine self-sacrifice, suffering for the beloved human in its bondage to sin or misery, to establish the possibility of redemption and reconciliation. Each divine wound, thus, constitutes a response to a creaturely occasion. The suffering in each divine wound also occurs in two stages: a passive stage and an active stage. In divine grief, God suffers because of human sin, betrayal of the divine lover by the beloved human: divine sorrow as the passive stage of divine grief; and divine anguish as the active stage of divine grief. In divine self-sacrifice, God suffers in response to the misery or bondage of the beloved human's infidelity: divine travail (focused on the divine incarnation in Jesus of Nazareth) as the active stage of divine self-sacrifice; and divine agony (focused on divine suffering in the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth) as the passive stage of divine self-sacrifice.

Aquinas on the Emotions

Aquinas on the Emotions PDF Author: Diana Fritz Cates
Publisher: Georgetown University Press
ISBN: 1589017188
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 300

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Book Description
All of us want to be happy and live well. Sometimes intense emotions affect our happiness—and, in turn, our moral lives. Our emotions can have a significant impact on our perceptions of reality, the choices we make, and the ways in which we interact with others. Can we, as moral agents, have an effect on our emotions? Do we have any choice when it comes to our emotions? In Aquinas on the Emotions, Diana Fritz Cates shows how emotions are composed as embodied mental states. She identifies various factors, including religious beliefs, intuitions, images, and questions that can affect the formation and the course of a person's emotions. She attends to the appetitive as well as the cognitive dimension of emotion, both of which Aquinas interprets with flexibility. The result is a powerful study of Aquinas that is also a resource for readers who want to understand and cultivate the emotional dimension of their lives.

Equality and the Family

Equality and the Family PDF Author: Don S. Browning
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 0802807569
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 429

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Book Description
In "Equality and the Family" Don Browning pulls together essays he has published in the past in order to shed light on the path we should take in the future. He contends that practical theology can be envisioned as a practical research program, and he uses the very concrete example of the family to illustrate how this works.Though it may sound unlikely that equality in the family can be based on Christian ideas, Browning insists that it can and that it should. His desire is to be pro-family and pro-marriage in ways that create justice and equality within the family. Based on this goal, he argues for the church's ideal model of the mother-father partnership to be balanced with an understanding and acceptance of the pluralism of family forms as a part of modern life, including church life. A brief introduction of each essay is included to help the reader understand the original context of the piece.