FUNDAMENTAL MORAL THEOLOGY Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley James T. Bretzke, S.J. CE 2056; Spring 1998 Class: Tuesdays 8:10-1 1:00AM Office Hours: MonlTues/ 3:00--4:30 (Other times by appointment) Office phone: 549-5031 E-mail: jbretzke@jstb.edu or Bretzke237@aol.com Course Description This one-semester course is designed as an introduction to fundamental moral theology in the Roman Catholic tradition. The principal themes to be treated include: The Nature of, and a Methodological Model for Approaching Fundamental Moral Theology; An Historical Overview of Casuistry and Pre-Vatican II Moral Theology; The Moral Person and Moral Community; The Christian Vocation: Call and Response; Conscience and the Fundamental Option; Moral Norms and the Natural Law; Virtue and Teleology; Evaluations of Moral Acts; Sin, Conversion and Reconciliation; Roles of the Magisterium; Current Tensions in Moral Theology, and Prospects for the Future. Selected issues in special ethics, especially from areas of sexual and medical ethics will be discussed in terms of applying the fundamental themes of moral theology to practical life situations. The course format will be lecture and questions based on both lecture input and the course readings. Small discussion groups, focusing on sexual and biomedical ethics, will be held a few times in place of the regular class during the second half of the semester. Course written assignments and exams The mid-term exam will be a 20 minute oral exam based on the course lectures, readings, and one (1) case study prepared and submitted in advance by the student. The final exam will be a closed book three-hour comprehensive written exam held during the final class session. In addition, at the time of the final exam two (2) additional case studies are to be handed in. Each case study will be a maximum of four (4) typed pages, double-spaced, and will detail the principal moral issues involved as well as an outline of a proposed pastoral response to the case treated. Examples of the case studies will be provided in class well before each exam. Course Grading Three principal factors will be taken into consideration for the final grade for the course: 1) careful preparation of the assigned readings and active participation in each of the class meetings (40%); 2) the case study and oral mid-term (25%); and 3) the case studies and written final exam (35%). COURSE READINGS REQUIRED Books Bretzke, James T., S.J. A Morally Complex World. CE 2056 Course Notes for Fundamental Moral Theology (for use of students only). Gula, Richard M., S.S. Reason Informed by Faith: Foundations of Catholic Morality. New York: Paulist Press, 1989 (329 pages). Fuchs, Josef, S.J. Translated by Brian McNeil. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press; Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, 1987. (Selections). ISBN 0-87840-452-A Mahoney, John, S.J. The Making of Moral Theology: A Study of the Roman Catholic Tradition. The Martin D Arcy Memorial Lectures, 1981-2. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987. (347 pages). ISBN 0-19-826730-4 Part Three: Life in Christ (selections). In Catechism of the Catholic Church. Garden City: Doubleday Image, 1995. ISBN 0-385-47967-0. Also available on the Internet at:

http://www.christusrex.org/wwwl/cdhn/ccc.html REQUIRED Articles NB: See Reserve Box at JSTB for CE 2056 for copies of these articles Bretzke, James T., S.J. Cultural Particularity and the Globalization of Ethics in the Light of Inculturation. Pacifica 9 (1996): 69-86. Cahill, Lisa Sowle. Catholic Sexual Ethics and the Dignity of the Person: A Double Message. Theological Studies 50 (1989): 120-150. Callahan, Daniel. The Sanctity of Life Seduced: A Symposium on Medical Ethics. First Things (April 1994): 13-15. Farley, Margaret A., R.S.M. Sexual Ethics. In Sexuality and the Sacred: Sources for Theological Reflection, 54-67. Edited by James B. Nelson and Sandra P. Longfellow. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1994. Also found in Reich, Warren T., ed. Encyclopedia of Bioethics. New York: Free Press, 1978, 1982. Glaser, Thomas. Conscience and Super-Ego: A Key Distinction. Theological Studies 32 (1971): 30-47. Also found in Conscience: Theological and Psychological Perspectives, 167-188. Edited by C. Ellis Nelson. New York: Newman Press [Paulist], 1973. Haring, Bernard, C.Ss.R. Sins against Chastity within Marriage. In Id. Shalom: Peace. The Sacrament of Reconciliation, 242-264. Rev. ed. Garden City: Doubleday Image Book, 1967, 1969. John Paul II, Pope. You Shall Not Kill. Chapter 3 of Evangelium vitae (Encyclical Letter on the Value and Inviolability of Human Life). Origins 24 (6 April 1995): 707-7 16. Also found on the Internet at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john paul ii/encyclicals/john-paul-ii encyclical 25-march-1995 Johnstone, Brian V., C.Ss.R. From Physicalism to Personalism. Studia Moralia 30 (1992): 71-96. Keenan, James, S.J. The Distinction Between Goodness and Rightness. Chapter One in Idem, Goodness and Rightness in Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologiae, 3-20. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 1992. Kopfensteiner, Thomas R. Protecting a Dignified Death: A Contemporary Challenge for Moral Reasoning. New Theology Review 6 (November 1993): 6-27. Paul VI, Pope. Humanae vitae (Encyclical Letter on the Regulation of Births). 25 July 1968. AAS 60 (1968): 481-503; in Vatican Council II. More Post-Conciliar Documents, ed. Austin Flannery, O.P., (Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1982): 397-4 16. Also available on the Internet at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paulyi/encyclicals/hf_p-vi_enc_25071 968_humanae-vitae_en.s Sklba, Bishop Richard J. Theological Diversity and Dissent within the Church. In Shepherds Speak: American Bishops Confront the Social and Moral Issues that Challenge Christians Today, 20-33. Edited by Dennis M. Corrado and James F. Hinchey. New York: Crossroad, 1986. Thomas Aquinas. Summa Theologiae: Question 94. Of the Natural Law. In Readings in Moral Theology,No. 7:Natural Law and Theology, 101-113. Edited by Charles E. Curran and Richard A. McCormick, S.J. Mahwah: Paulist Press, 1991. Also available on the Internet: http://www.knight.org/advent/summa1209400.htm Vatican II. Selections: Lumen gentium #25, #39-42 Available on the Internet at: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ii_vatican_council/constitutions/vatican-ii_constitution2 1-nov-196 Gaudium et spes #16, #47-52. Available on the Internet at: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ii_vatican_council/constitutions/vatican-iiconstitution_7-dec- 1965_ Dignitatis humanae #2. Available on the Internet at: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ii_vaticancouncil/declarations/vatican-ii_declaration_7-dec-l 965_d Wildes, Kevin W., S.J. Ordinary and Extraordinary Means and the Quality of Life. Theological Studies 57 (1996): 500-512. RECOMMENDED Books

Basic Reference Works Childress, James F., and Macquarrie, John, eds. The New Dictionary of Christian Ethics. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1967, 1986. Flannery, Austin P., O.P. ed. Vatican Council II: More Post Conciliar Documents. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1982. RECOMMENDED Articles NB: See Reserve Box at IJSTB for CE 2056 for copies of these articles Bretzke, James T., S.J. Scripture: the Soul of Moral Theology? -- The Second Stage. Irish Theological Quarterly 60 (1994): 259-271. Fuchs, Josef, S.J. The Absoluteness of Moral Terms. Gregorianum 52 (1971): 697-711. Also found in Fuchs own Personal Responsibility and Christian Morality, trans. William Cleves, et. al., (Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, and Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, 1983), 115-152. Also found in Readings in Moral Theology, No. 1: Moral Norms and Catholic Tradition, ed. Charles E. Curran and Richard A. McCormick, S.J. (New York: Paulist Press, 1979), 94-137; as well as in Introduction to Christian Ethics: A Reader, ed. Ronald P. Hamel and Kenneth R. Himes, O.F.M. (New York: Paulist Press, 1989), 487-512. Janssens, Louis. Personalism in Moral Theology. In Moral Theology: Challenges for the Future. Essays in Honor of Richard A. McCormick, S.J., 94-107. Edited by Charles E. Curran. New York: Paulist Press, 1990. Knauer, Peter, S.J. The Hermeneutic Function of the Principle of the Double Effect. In Readings in Moral Theology, No. 1: Moral Norms and Catholic Tradition, 1-39. Edited by Charles E. Curran and Richard A. McCormick, S.J. New York: Paulist Press, 1979. McCormick, Patrick, C.M. Human Sinfulness: Models for a Developing Moral Theology. Studia Moralia 26 (1988): 61-100. ** NB Other Recommended books and articles will be noted throughout the course, and are also indicated in the xeroxed Course Notes. SYLLABUS OF COURSE THEMES & READINGS NB There is obviously a certain progression as well as overlap and interrelation among these various themes. In general, we will move from a grounding in theory, concepts, and tradition, to a consideration of contemporary church teachings, theological opinions and application to concrete moral issues. Refer to the Course Readings for complete page numbers and bibliographical information on these assigned readings. Readings listed for each week should be completed by class-time of each week. Week 1 Introduction, Methodology, and Overview of Contemporary Moral Theology [Feb.. 3] Week 2 History of Moral Theology and Introduction to Basic Concepts [Feb. 10] Fuchs, Vatican II: Salvation, Personal Morality, Right Behavior. Ch. 2 in Christian Morality:The Fuchs, Morality: Person and Acts. Ch. 7 in Jolmstone, From Physicalism to Personalism. Mahoney, The Making of Moral Theology, Chs. 1-2. Week 3 The Moral Person, Freedom, Conscience, and Community [Feb. 17] Vatican II: Gaudium et spes #16; Dignitatis humanae #2 Fuchs, Our Image of God and the Morality of Innerworldly Behavior. Ch. 3 in Christian Morality:The

Fuchs, The Phenomenon of Conscience: Subject-Orientation and Object-Orientation. Ch. 8 in Id. Glaser, Conscience and Super-Ego: A Key Distinction. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three: Life in Christ Section One, Ch. 1, Articles 1-3, Article 6, Ch. 2, Articles 1-3, Recommended: Fuchs, Self-Realization and Self-alienation. Ch. 10 Id. Christian Morality: The Janssens, Personalism in Moral Theology. Week 4 Moral Good and Evil; Rightness and Wrongness of Actions [Feb. 24] Keenan, The Distinction Between Goodness and Rightness. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three: Life in Christ Section One, Ch. 1, Articles 4-5 Recommended: Knauer, The Hermeneutic Function of the Principle of the Double Effect. Week 5 Moral Norms and Natural Law [Mar. 3] Fuchs, God s Incarnation in a Human Morality. Ch. 4 in Christian Morality: The Word Became Flesh. Thomas Aquinas. Summa Theologiae I-II, Question 94. Mahoney, The Making of Moral Theology, Ch. 6. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three: Life in Christ Section One, Ch. 3, Article 1 Recommended: Fuchs, The Absoluteness of Moral Terms. Week 6 Sin, Grace, Conversion, and Reconciliation [Mar. 11] Mahoney, The Making of Moral Theology, Ch. 3. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three: Life in Christ Section One, Ch. 1, Article 8, Ch. 3, Article 2 Recommended: McCormick, P. Human Sinfulness: Models for a Developing Moral Theology. Week 7 Roles of Church Teaching and Tradition [Mar. 17] NB Mid-Term Case Study Due on March 17th Vatican II: Lumen gentium #25. Fuchs, Continuity in the Church s Moral Teaching? Religious Liberty as an Example. Ch. 11 in Mahoney, The Making of Moral Theology, Ch. 4. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three: Life in Christ Section One, Ch. 3, Article 3 Sklba, Theological Diversity and Dissent within the Church. SPRING BREAK: March 23-28 (NO CLASS) Week 8 Roles of Church Teaching and Tradition, cont.; Virtue, Moral Discernment, and Use of Scripture in Ethics [Mar. 31] Fuchs, Christian Morality: Biblical Orientation and Human Evaluation. Ch. 1 in Id. Christian Morality: The Mahoney, The Making of Moral Theology, Ch. 5. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three: Life in Christ Section One, Ch. 1, Article 7 Recommended: Bretzke, Scripture: the Soul of Moral Theology? * *NB ORAL MID-TERMS HELD THIS WEEK (Based on Material from Weeks 1-7, and Scheduled Outside of Regular Class-time)

Week 9 Sexual Ethics I [April 7] Farley, Sexual Ethics. Vatican II, Gaudium et spes, Ch. 1, #47-52. Paul VI, Humanae vitae (1968) Mahoney, The Making of Moral Theology, Ch. 7. Recommended: Fuchs, Early Christianity in Search of a Christian Morality: 1 Cor 7. Ch. 6 in Fuchs, Married Love: Christian Pluralism in the Twelfth Century. Ch. 12 in Id. Christian Morality: The Week 10 Sexual Ethics II [April 14] Cahill, Catholic Sexual Ethics and the Dignity of the Person: A Double Message. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three: Life in Christ Section Two, Ch. 2, Articles 6, 9 Haring, Bernard, C.Ss.R. Sins against Chastity within Marriage. Week 11 Bioethics I [April 21] Callahan, The Sanctity of Life Seduced: A Symposium on Medical Ethics. t John Paul II, Ch. 3 of Evangelium vitae Fuchs, Disposing of Human Life: Recent Problems in Bioethics. Ch. 13 in Christian Morality: The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three: Life in Christ Section Two, Ch. 2, Article 5 Recommended: Fuchs, Catholic Medical Moral Theology?. Ch. 14 in Id. Christian Morality: The Week 12 Bioethics II [April 28] Kopfensteiner, Protecting a Dignified Death: A Contemporary Challenge for Moral Reasoning. Wildes, Kevin W., S.J. Ordinary and Extraordinary Means and the Quality of Life. Theological Studies 57 (1996): 500-5 12. Week 13 Inculturation and Discernment in Moral Theology [May 5] Vatican II, Lumen gentium #39-42 Bretzke, Cultural Particularity and the Globalization of Ethics in the Light of Inculturation. Fuchs, Conscience in a Pluralistic Society. Ch. 9 in Mahoney, The Making of Moral Theology, Ch. 8. Week 14 Pastoral Catechesis of Fundamental Moral Theology [May 12] Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three: Life in Christ Section Two, Ch. 2, Articles 1-4; 7-8, 10 * *NB FINAL REGULAR CLASS DAY (with Course Evaluation) Week 15 Final Examination [May 19] **NB Final Exam Case Studies also due on May 19th **NB Final Exam Will be Comprehensive, Closed Book, In-Class