Shaping the Moral Life: An Approach to Moral

Although he is one of the most influential Catholic theologians in Europe, very few of Klaus Demmer's writings are available in English. This translation of his well-known work on moral theology introduces Demmer's thought to English-speaking audiences.

In an original synthesis of scholastic and continental philosophy, Demmer brings the Catholic moral tradition into conversation with contemporary philosophical schools -- transcendental, hermeneutical, and analytical -- to fashion a moral theology in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. A complete bibliography of Demmer's works will assist readers in seeking out more of his writings.

Editor's Note

ix

Foreword

xi

Introduction

xv

Catholic Moral Theology: Its Form and Challenges

The Cultural Context

1

(2)

The Place of Moral Theology Within the Whole of Theology

3

(1)

The Second Vatican Council: A Turning Point and a Promise

4

(4)

Historical Retrospective: Defining Moments

The Influence of the German-Speaking World

8

(3)

The Influence of the French-Speaking World

11

(1)

Currents of Thought and Milestones of Modernity

12

(3)

The Decisive Factor: Toward a Theology of Conscience

The Second Vatican Council: Teaching and History

15

(2)

Modern Challenges

17

(2)

The Importance of Conscience Formation

19

(3)

The Mediation of Faith and Moral Reason

Freedom Oriented to Reason

22

(1)

Models of Moral Theological Thinking

23

(2)

Anthropological Correlates of Faith

25

(2)

The Biblical Argument in Moral Theology

27

(2)

The Ecclesial Dimension of Christian Morality

Existence as Communication

29

(1)

The Church as Moral Communio

30

(3)

Historicity of Truth and Structures of Thought

33

(3)

The Moral Natural Law as a Basis of Universal Communication

The Insufficiency of Revelation

36

(1)

Milestones in Historical Development

37

(3)

Crucial Points in the Contemporary Debate

40

(3)

The Moral Community of Communication and its Norms

The Variety of Moral Language

43

(1)

The Mediation of Principles and Norms

44

(4)

Contemporary Normative Theories

48

(2)

The Journey of Moral Decision

Freedom to Self-Determination

50

(1)

Fundamental Option and Life Decision

51

(1)

The Importance of Virtue Ethics

52

(2)

The Structure of Particular Decisions

54

(4)

Life History as suffered and Reconciled conflict

The Inescapable Experience of Sin

58

(1)

Sin as the Sign of a Life Destiny

59

(2)

The Problem of Evaluating Sins

61

(1)

The Power of External Constraints

62

(1)

Life History as a History of Reconciliation

63

(2)

Moral Truth in the Openness of the Spirit

Moral Truth and Theories of Truth

65

(2)

The Integration of Different Philosophical Approaches

67

(3)

Serving the Theological Denkform

70

(2)

Beyond the Human Sciences

Universal Dialogue

72

(2)

The Openness of Moral Theology

74

(1)

Critical Solidarity

75

(2)

Learning from the Epistemological Discussion

77

(2)

Responsibility for Rights and the Law

Rights as Fundamental Anthropological Category

79

(1)

The Democratic Constitutional State

80

(2)

Co-Responsibility Instead of Obedience

82

(2)

The Prophetic Function of the Church

84

(3)

Conclusion

87

(3)

Bibliography

90

(9)

Index

99

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Shaping the Moral Life: An Approach to Moral Theology

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Table of Contents

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