Description

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