We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 September 2014
This article will evaluate five comparatively recent books dealing with fundamental moral theology. Anthologies or books treating specific topics in special moral theology will not be discussed. The purpose is to consider various contemporary approaches to fundamental moral theology and to evaluate these works both in themselves and in their utility as textbooks. The authors to be considered are: O'Connell, Maguire, McDonagh, Häring, and Böckle.
As might be expected there are strengths and weaknesses in all these works. The primary interpretive key to be employed in this article is the Sitz im Leben of the book. The particular Sitz im Leben of each author helps to understand better what the book is trying to accomplish and at the same time serves to indicate some of the strengths and weaknesses of the particular volume.
1 Much discussion in American moral theology in the last few years has centered on the question of norms. Many articles have been written on this subject. The books dealing with this issue have tended to be collections of essays. For the recent history of the discussion giving all sides in the debate, see Curran, Charles E. and McCormick, Richard A., eds., Readings in Moral Theology No. 1: Moral Norms and Catholic Tradition (New York: Paulist, 1979).Google Scholar For the thought of Richard A. McCormick and comments on it, see McCormick, Richard A. and Ramsey, Paul, eds., Doing Evil to Achieve Good: Moral Choice in Conflict Situations (Chicago: Loyola University Press, 1978).Google Scholar For opponents of a revisionist position, see May, William E., ed., Principles of Catholic Moral Life (Chicago: Franciscan Herald, 1980).Google Scholar
2 O'Connell, Timothy E., Principles for a Catholic Morality (New York: Seabury, 1978).Google Scholar
3 “Justice in the World,” n. 6, in The Gospel of Peace and Justice: Catholic Social Teaching Since Pope John, ed. Gremillion, Joseph (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1976), p. 514.Google Scholar
4 Maguire, Daniel C., The Moral Choice (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1978; paperback ed., Minneapolis, MN: Winston, 1979).Google Scholar
5 Maguire, Daniel C., Death by Choice (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1974; paperback ed., New York: Schocken, 1975)Google ScholarPubMed; Maguire, , A New American Justice: Ending the White Male Monopolies (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1980; paperback ed., Minneapolis, MN: Winston, 1982)Google Scholar; Maguire, , The New Subversives: Anti-Americanism of the New Right (New York: Crossroad, 1982).Google Scholar
6 McDonagh, Enda, Gift and Call: Towards a Christian Theology of Morality (St. Meinrad, IN: Abbey Press, 1975)Google Scholar; McDonagh, , Doing the Truth: The Quest for Moral Theology (Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1979).Google Scholar
7 McDonagh, Enda, Invitation and Response: A Collection of Essays in Moral Theology (New York: Sheed and Ward, 1972).Google Scholar
8 Häring, Bernard, Das Gesetz Christi: Moraltheologie dargestellt für Priester und Laien (Freiburg i. Br.: Erich Wewel, 1954).Google Scholar
9 Häring, Bernard, Free and Faithful in Christ: Moral Theology for Clergy and Laity, 3 vols. (New York: Seabury/Crossroad, 1978, 1979, 1981).Google Scholar
10 Curran, Charles E., “Free and Faithful in Christ: A Critical Evaluation,” Studia Moralia 20 (1982), 145–75.Google Scholar
11 Böckle, Franz, Fundamental Moral Theology (New York: Pueblo, 1980).Google Scholar
12 Auer, Alfons, “Nach dem Erscheinen der Enzyklika ‘Humanae Vitae,’ Zehn Thesen über die Findung sittlicher Weisungen,” Theologisches Quartalschrift 149 (1969), 75–85Google Scholar; Auer, , Autonome Moral und christlicher Glaube (Dusseldorf: Patmos, 1971).Google Scholar
