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

Communities of Kinship

Communities of Kinship PDF Author: Carlo Calleja
Publisher: Lexington Books
ISBN: 1978711980
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 215

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Book Description
In Communities of Kinship: Retrieving Christian Practices of Solidarity with Lepers as a Paradigm for Overcoming Exclusion of Older People, Carlo Calleja describes kinship as a moral category, arguing that practicing kinship with others can cultivate virtues that shape the character of the agent. Contemporary Western society tends to focus on kinship as the sharing of blood ties or genetic material. On the other hand, the spiritual kinship that is proposed by religions tends to be exclusive and often nominal. For this reason, Calleja proposes practices and structures of solidaristic kinship, which involves sharing in the suffering of the other person. Finding parallels between the exclusion of lepers and the efforts of Christian communities to reforge kinship bonds with them in ancient and medieval times, he argues that communities of kinship with older persons can help cultivate the virtues needed for the flourishing of oneself and society.

Human Dependency and Christian Ethics

Human Dependency and Christian Ethics PDF Author: Sandra Sullivan-Dunbar
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107168899
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 261

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Book Description
This book engages Christian love theologies, feminist economics, and political theory to identify elements of a Christian ethic of dependent care relations.

Human Dignity in Contemporary Ethics

Human Dignity in Contemporary Ethics PDF Author: David G. Kirchhoffer
Publisher: Teneo Press
ISBN: 1934844969
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 377

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Book Description
Human Dignity in Contemporary Ethics develops a holistic and relevant understanding of human dignity for ethics today. Whilst critics of the concept of human dignity call for its dismissal, and many of its defenders rehearse the same old arguments, this book offers an alternative set of methodological assumptions on which to base a revitalized and practical understanding of human dignity, which at the same time overcomes the challenges that the concept currently faces. The Component Dimensions of Human Dignity model enables human dignity to serve both as a descriptive category that explains moral choices, and as a normative criterion that helps to evaluate moral behaviour. A consideration of two cases--violent crime and physician-assisted suicide--demonstrates how the model offers a way to avoid the pitfalls of both moralism and moral relativism, while still leaving space for relativity in ethics. By using an approach that should be acceptable to both religious and secular perspectives alike, this book offers a unique way out of the 'dignity talk' that currently plagues ethics.

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.

An Examined Faith

An Examined Faith PDF Author: James M. Gustafson
Publisher: Fortress Press
ISBN: 9781451410549
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 138

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Book Description
Readers: General readers (college level); college, university, and seminary students; theologians and ethicists; clergy

Christian Ethics and the Moral Psychologies

Christian Ethics and the Moral Psychologies PDF Author: Don S. Browning
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 9780802831712
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Book Description
Interest in psychology permeates our culture, with psychological solutions advanced for a host of moral dilemmas. How should ethically minded Christians include insights from such disciplines as psychoanalysis, cognitive moral development, and neuroscience in their theological reflection? Don Browning offers a serious proposal for combining these disciplines with the best in ethical reflection from a Christian standpoint. Along the way, he introduces readers to the moral psychology work of Sigmund Freud, Carol Gilligan, Antonio Damasio, and others, opening up a dialogue between their work and the hermeneutics of Hans-Georg Gadamer and Paul Ricoeur. Browning also recognizes the potential limits of the conversation between Christian ethics and the moral psychologies, pointing out where they must diverge.

Virtue

Virtue PDF Author: Charles E. Curran
Publisher: Paulist Press
ISBN: 0809146851
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
This edited volume focuses on virtue using the same perspective that has characterized the previous fifteen volumes in the prestigious series Readings in Moral Theology from Paulist Press begun by Charles E. Curran and Richard A. McCormick in 1979. This volume brings together fourteen previously published articles dealing in a comprehensive manner with the important topic of the role of virtue in moral theology and the Christian life. The contributors to this volume include the most important figures in Catholic moral theology who have written about virtue. In addition the authors represented here come from the different theological perspectives found in moral theology today. The first part deals with the role of virtue in general beginning with an overview of the seminal work of Thomas Aquinas. A second chapter explains the important work of Alasdair MacIntyre while the last two chapters in this part come from the Catholic and feminist perspectives. The three chapters in the second part discuss the role of the various virtues in three different spheres of human existence--professional life, sexuality, and ecology. The third part develops in some depth the significant particular virtues of charity, justice, prudence, courage, and humility. +