Introducing Moral Theology: True Happiness and the Virtues
Acknowledgments
Introduction
The Goals and Format of the Book
Caveats and Suggestions for Using the Book
1. Morality, Happiness, and the “Good Life”: How Do I Live My Life, and Why Do I Live That Way?
Why Be Morally Good?
Why Everyone Lives Some Sort of Morality, and Why That Matters
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
2. Intentions, Good Acts, and Human Freedom
Intentionality: People as Purposeful Creatures
Freedom and Human Action
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
3. Why Virtue? The Moral Life as More Than Actions
Acts, Persons, and Habits
Focusing on Virtue: Why Bother?
Different Types of Virtue
The Four Cardinal Virtues
Cardinal Virtues as the Path to the Good Life in This World
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
4. The Virtue of Temperance: Living a Passionate Moral Life
The Virtue of Temperance: Acts, Intentions, and Desires
Feelings as Moral Phenomena—Isn’t That “Just How I Feel”?
How to Develop Virtuous Emotions
Why Bother Talking about the Emotions in Moral Theology?
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
5. The Virtue of Prudence: Knowing the Truth and Living It
Prudence: Seeing and Acting Truthfully
Conscience: Knowing the True to Do the Good
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
6. Alcohol and American College Life: Test Case One
Why Do I Follow the Rules That I Do?
Why Do I Drink?
Drinking and the Formation of Habits and Desires
Drinking and the Cardinal Virtues
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
7. The Virtue of Justice and Justice in Waging War
The Virtue of Justice
Waging War Justly?
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
8. Using the Atom Bomb in World War II: Test Case Two
The Context for the United States Decision to Use Atomic Bombs: The Question of Proportionality
Noncombatant Immunity in a Militarized Culture
Noncombatant Immunity and the Principle of Double Effect
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
9. The Virtue of Fortitude and the Unity of the Virtues
Fortitude: A Close Analysis
Everyday Fortitude and the Unity of the Virtues
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
10. A Transition: Actions, Practices, and Big-Picture Beliefs about the Way Things Are
The Moral Importance of Different Big-Picture Beliefs about the Way Things Are
The Importance of Big-Picture Beliefs for Innerworldly Practices
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
11. The Virtue of Faith: Answering Big-Picture Questions
Believing in Answers to Big-Picture Questions: A Human Thing to Do
The Theological Virtue of Faith
Concluding Thoughts, with a Definition
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
12. Sin: Corruption of Human Happiness
The Pervasiveness of Sin
Defining Sin
Differentiating Sins
Sin: Not the End of the Story for Christians
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
13. The Virtue of Hope: Eternity in this Life and the Next
Hope: Virtue for the Wayfarer
The Christian Tradition and Life after Death
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
14. Jesus Christ: Incarnation and Life in Christ
God’s Saving Action in Jesus Christ
Christ Died for Our Sins
Living in Christ
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
15. The Virtue of Charity: The Form of the Christian Life
Defining Christian Love: Friendship with God and Others
Charity: A Virtue of Emotion and/or Will?
Charity and Loving “All Else in God”
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
16. Grace: The Gift of the Holy Spirit for the Virtuous Life
What Is Grace, and How Does It Work?
Grace and the Virtuous Life
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
17. Chastity and Nonmarital Sex: Test Case Three
The Relationship between Sex and Marriage: Preliminary Questions
Debating the Possibility of Virtuous Sex Outside of Marriage
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
18. Euthanasia: Test Case Four
The Context for End-of-Life Decisions
Defining Euthanasia
How to, and How Not to, Act on This Judgment
Concluding Thoughts
Study Questions
Terms to Know
Questions for Further Reflection
Further Reading
Epilogue: Praying for Virtues
The Our Father: A Cornerstone of the Christian Tradition
The Structure of the Our Father
The Seven Petitions of the Our Father
Closing Reflections on the Petitions of the Our Father and the Virtues
Reading Questions
Terms to Know
Question for Further Reflection
Further Reading
Bibliography