The Concept of Intrinsic Evil and Catholic Theological Ethics by James T. Bretzke, S.J., Stephan Herzberg, Sigrid Müller , Rowman & Littlefield

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Rowman & Littlefield The Concept of Intrinsic Evil and Catholic Theological Ethics by James T. Bretzke, S.J., Stephan Herzberg, Sigrid Müller

One of the most sweeping, categorical, and absolute phrases that has ever been employed by the hierarchical teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church refers to a concept called 'intrinsic evil'. In short, intrinsic evil is invoked to describe certain kinds of human acts that can never be morally justified or permitted, regardless of the intention of the person who performs them or any circumstances within which they take place. The most common examples of things that people recognize as being classified as intrinsically evil are, suicide, euthanasia, abortion, and the use of contraception. _x000D__x000D__x000D_The ease with which the term 'intrinsic evil' gets right to the point, thereby making the fairly complex field of ethical reflection seem manageable and widely accessible, is one of the reasons for its attractiveness within Roman Catholic ethical teaching. However, this kind of simplification risks or even encourages avoidance of critical questions such as, "Where does this concept come from and what meanings are associated with it?", "Is it supposed to express an ethical judgment or to form it?", and "Is there a substantial difference between intrinsically evil acts and morally wrong acts?". The contributors to this volume engage with these and similar issues surrounding the formation and use of the concept, and in the process dispel the naive belief that the concept can somehow escape the complexity of ethical discourse or establish certainty of ethical judgments that is otherwise unattainable. In light of this realization, the most important issue becomes whether the concept can still be useful for Catholic theological ethics. Although the contributors to this volume do not completely agree on this issue, they have shown that a critical scrutiny of the concept must necessarily precede settling this issue and that the concept might not be able to withstand such critical judgment._x000D__x000D__x000D_The book provides a description of the origin and meanings of the concept of intrinsic evil. While the term itself tends to create confusion rather than clarity, eliminating its use does not imply that we cannot still have a meaningful discussion about 'things that should never be done'._x000D_ Table of contents :- _x000D_ The Proliferation of 'Intrinsic Evil'_x000D_ _x000D_ Nenad Polgar and Joseph A. Selling_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Part One_x000D_ _x000D_ The Origin and Meaning(s) of the Concept of Intrinsic Evi_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ 1.Aristotle on Intrinsically Bad Actions_x000D_ _x000D_ Stephan Herzberg_x000D_ _x000D_ 2.The Concept of Intrinsic Evil: An Exploration of Some Theological Sources_x000D_ _x000D_ Nenad Polgar_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Part Two _x000D_ _x000D_ The Concept of Intrinsic Evil in Sexual Ethics_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ 3.Intrinsic Evil in Catholic Sexual Ethics: Time to Move On_x000D_ _x000D_ Stephen J. Pope_x000D_ _x000D_ 4.Intrinsic Evil in Catholic Sexual Ethics: New Insights, New Approaches, New Logic_x000D_ _x000D_ Gunter Pruller-Jagenteufel_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Part Three_x000D_ _x000D_ The Concept of Intrinsic Evil and Veritatis Splendor_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ 5.Intrinsic Evil in Veritatis Splendor and Two Contemporary Debates_x000D_ _x000D_ James T. Bretzke, S.J._x000D_ _x000D_ 6.What Are Intrinsically Evil Acts?_x000D_ _x000D_ Sigrid Muller_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Part Four_x000D_ _x000D_ The Concept of Intrinsic Evil in Fundamental Theological Ethics_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ 7.The Naming of Evil in Fundamental Theological Ethics _x000D_ _x000D_ Joseph A. Selling_x000D_ _x000D_ 8.Intrinsic Evil and the Sources of Morality_x000D_ _x000D_ Werner Wolbert_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Part Five_x000D_ _x000D_ The Future of the Concept of Intrinsic Evil_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ 9.Intrinsic Evil in Different Ethical Perspectives _x000D_ _x000D_ Andreas M. Weiss_x000D_ _x000D_ 10.Pope Francis' Heresy?_x000D_ _x000D_ Edward C. Vacek, S.J._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ What is Intrinsic Evil? _x000D_ _x000D_ Nenad Polgar and Joseph A. Selling_x000D_