Foundations for Theological Ethics

Module Description:

This module introduces students to the central concepts and key debates in theological ethics, with a focus on the manner in which they are developed within the Catholic tradition. The module will examine the nature of moral experience and its relation to religious faith and in this context will consider the role of the bible in theological ethics from both historical and perspectives.

The module will introduce students to key debates in theological ethics including natural law and the universality of ethics; the nature and role of conscience, moral reasoning and the role of moral principles; the role of Church teaching authority in the Catholic tradition (the magisterium) in the moral area.

The module will also introduce students to the diversity of methodological approaches in the Catholic theological ethics including the deontological, the teleological and virtue-based approaches, and will discuss the impact of feminist and post-colonial perspectives on the shape of contemporary theological ethics.

Indicative Bibliography:

Bujot, B., Foundations for an African Ethic: Beyond the Universal Claims of Western Morality (New York: Crossroad, 2001).
Keenan, J., A History of Catholic Moral Theology in the Twentieth Century: From Confessing Sins to Liberating Consciences (New York: Continuum, 2010).
Markham, I.S., Do Morals Matter? A Guide to Contemporary Religious Ethics (Oxford: Blackwell, 2007).
Mattison, W., Introducing Moral Theology, (Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2008).
Meilaender G. and Werpehowski, W. (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Theological Ethics (Oxford: University Press, 2005).
Patrick, A., Liberating Conscience: Feminist Explorations in Catholic Moral Theology (New York: Continuum 1996).

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• Analyse the central concepts in theological ethics such as natural law and conscience.
• Evaluate the perspectives of key theologians in the major debates in theological ethics.
• Describe the relationship between ethics and religious belief in the context of the Catholic tradition
• Recognise and evaluate the different methodological approaches operative in theological ethics

Methods of Assessment and Student Workload

Annual examination and essay.