An Introduction to Catholic Ethics since Vatican II Introduction to Religion Series

This introduction provides a comprehensive overview of the development of Catholic ethics in the wake of the Second Vatican Council (1962?5), an event widely considered crucial to the reconciliation of the Catholic Church and the modern world. Andrew Kim investigates Catholic responses to questions of moral theology in all four principal areas: Catholic social teaching, natural law, virtue ethics, and bioethics. In addition to discussing contemporary controversies surrounding abortion, contraception, labor rights, exploitation of the poor, and just war theory, he explores the historical sources of the Catholic worldview. Beginning with the moral vision revealed through the person of Jesus Christ and continuing with elaborations on this vision from figures such as Augustine and Aquinas, this volume elucidates the continuity of the Catholic moral tradition. Its balance of complexity and accessibility makes it an ideal resource for both students of theology and general readers.

Introduction; Part I. Foundations of Catholic Ethics: 1. Moral relativism; 2. The natural law and revelation; 3. The river between; Part II. Grace at the Heart of Virtue: 4. The cardinal virtues; 5. The virtues of grace; 6. The unity of the virtues; Part III. Catholic Social Teaching: 7. Justice in the Catholic moral tradition; 8. The principles of Catholic social teaching; 9. The just war tradition; Part IV. Bioethics: 10. The dignity of the human person; 11. Beginning of life decisions; 12. End of life decisions.

Andrew Kim is Assistant Professor of Theology at Walsh University. His articles have appeared in Studies in Christian Ethics and the Journal of Moral Theology.