Introduction to Moral Theology

INTRODUCTION TO MORAL THEOLOGY This book is a ground level study about where moral theology stands today, the need for its development, the methods and ways to go about it. Manualist moral theology limited the scope of moral theology in a fast changing world with ever increasing moral challenges. This book emphasises the need for a renewed and adaptable moral theology from the existing base befitting for a 'pilgrim church'. Clear differences of moral theology are drawn from other related sciences like mores, dogmatic and spiritual theology. Moral theology is founded on ethics and presupposes its existence. According to the book moral theology is an open ended systematic study forming base for and encompassing the canon law. The book lays out the different methods of teaching and learning moral theology. The various principles on which moral theology is based are well explained in the book so also the moral decision making under various principles and situations. Dr. Felix Podirsiattam is one of the best-known moral theologians in India and outside. Besides his full time job as a professor, he finds time to write books at an amazing rate. He has authored 77 books. Besides his Master's degree in Political Science from the University of Mysore, he holds a Licentiate in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, and subsequently a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Alphosian Academy, Rome, His post-doctoral studies were pursued in Washington, DC, U.S.A. At Present he is professor of moral theology at St. Francis Theological College, Kottayam, Kerala. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION CHAPTER-1 CRITIQUE OF MANUALIST MORAL THEOLOGY CHAPTER-2 TOWARDS A RENEWED MORAL THEOLOGY 1. Attempts at Renewal of Moral Theology 2. Vatican II and Renewal of Moral Theology 3. Moral Theology in India after Vatican II 3.1. General Observations 3.2. A Few Particular Observations 4. We are not Worse than Our Predecessors CHAPTER-3 MORAL THEOLOGY AND OTHER SCIENCES 1. Moral Theology and the Science of "Mores" 2. Moral Theology and Dogmatic Theology 3. Moral Theology and Spiritual Theology 4. Moral Theology and Ethics 5. Moral Theology and Canon Law CHAPTER-4 METHOD OF MORAL THEOLOGY 1. The Need of a Method 2. Deductive Approach to Moral Theology 3. Inductive Approach to Moral Theology 4. Methods of Teaching Moral Theology 5. Method of Studying Moral Theology 5.1. The Theology of Intellectual Formation 5.2. Hints for the Study of Moral Theology CHAPTER-5 PRINCIPLES OF MORAL THEOLOGY 1. Moral Decision Making and the Principle of Person-Centered Morality 2. Moral Decision Making and the Principle of Tension Morality 3. Moral Decision Making and the Principle of Lesser Evil 4. Moral Decision Making and the Principle of Proportionalism 5. Moral Decision Making and the Principle of Human Dignity in Community 6. Moral Decision Making and the Principle of Double Effect 7. Moral Decision Making and the Principle of Totality 8. Moral Decision Making and the Principle of Nullifying Right or Obligation 9. Moral Decision Making and the Principle of Cooperation and Appropriation 10. Moral Decision Making and the Principle of Pastoral Morality 10.1. Historical Morality 10.2. Evolutionary Morality 10.3. Realistic Morality