Intrinsic Evil Revisited

INTRINSIC EVIL REVISITED The traditional idea of'intrinsic evil' was that an act is morally evil in its very nature. When physical evil is inflicted by the free and conscious decision and action of other human beings in an unjustifiable way it becomes moral evil. The author points out the limitations of this moral absolutism and at the same time admit how it throws clarity in certain areas. Moral good or will of god is considered identical with good of man. The book analyses the pros and cons of moral relativism as upheld by some theologians and criticised by others. It explains the confusion situation ethics can cause but considers the elasticity it can provide on changing moral situations. The object of the book is to strike a balance between moral absolutism and moral relativism. It states that proportionalism doesn't dismiss 'intrinsic evil' and is different from situation ethics. The book ends with a final invitation for open discussion on this important topic. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION CHAPTER-1 CRITIQUE OF TRADITIONAL NOTION OF INTRINSIC EVIL 1. Moral Absolutism and the Problem of Moral Evil 2. Moral Absolutism and the Intrinsic Good 3. Moral Absolutism and Reason 4. Moral Absolutism and the Commandment of Love 5. Moral Absolutism and Conscience 6. Moral Absolutism and Value and Expression of Value 7. Moral Absolutism and the Signs of the Times 8. Moral Absolutism and Pluralism of Moral Methodologies 9. Moral Absolutism and Anthropological Findings regarding Moral Absolutes 10. Moral Absolutism and Traditional Pastoral Theology 11. Moral Absolutism and the Question of Exceptional Cases 12. Moral Absolutism and the Morality of Growth 13. Moral Absolutism and Evolutionary Morality 14. Moral Absolutism and Historical Morality 15. Moral Absolutism and Character Morality 5g 16. Moral Absolutism and Person-Centred Morality 17. Moral Absolutism and Individual Morality 18. Moral Absolutism and Compromise Morality 19. Moral Absolutism and Tension Morality 20. Moral Absolutism and Morality of Lesser Evil 21. Moral Absolutism and Epikeia 22. Moral Absolutism and One-Dimensional Morality 23. Moral Absolutism and Weakness of Its Basis: The Natural Law 24. Moral Absolutism and Weakness of Its Basis: The Teaching of the Church 25. Moral Absolutism and the Principle of Double Effect 26. Moral Absolutism and the "Three-font Principle" 27. Moral Absolutism and Distinction between Ethical Norm and Ethical Imperative 28. Moral Absolutism and Eschatology 29. Moral Absolutism and Contemporary Moral Theologians 30. Moral Absolutism and St. Thomas and Intrinsic Evil 31. Moral Absolutism and East Asian Ethics 32. Moral Absolutism and Other Realities CHAPTER-2 CRITIQUE OF MORAL RELATIVISM 1. Moral Relativism in General 1.1. Nature of Moral Relativism in General 1.2. Critique of Moral Relativism in General 154 Relativism of "Moral Frameworks" Cultural Relativism, No Ground for Moral Relativism CHAPTER-3 DEFENSE OF MORAL RELATIVITY 1. Notion of Moral Relativity 2. Vindication of Moral Relativity 2.1. Support from Traditional Moral Theology 2.2. Support from Theological Reasoning 2.3. Answer to Objections 3. Implications of Moral Relativity 3.1. Moral Generalizations as Maxims Rather Than Laws 3.2. Absoluteness of Formal Norms and Relativity of Material Norm 3.3. Some Absolute Moral Norms