As college students develop their identities and construct their worldviews, they commonly wrestle with fundamental questions such as "Why be moral?" Taking into account feedback he has received from students and colleagues, William Mattison has crafted Introducing Moral Theology, a masterful basic text on Catholic moral theology. This work provides a solid overview of classical virtue ethics (i.e., temperance, prudence, fortitude, and justice) as well as the theological virtues (i.e., faith, hope, and love). The book includes study questions, terms and definitions, bibliographies, and case studies on timely, thorny issues such as premarital sex and euthanasia. Readers will also note that Introducing Moral Theology draws deeply on Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae. While written primarily to and from a Roman Catholic perspective, this text will appeal to a wide swath of Christian academics and believers interested in theology and ethics.  
  
"Those of us who regularly teach introductory courses in theological ethics know how difficult it can be to present the relevant theories and issues in an effective way. So it is very high praise indeed when I say that Mattison has written a first-rate textbook for beginners in this challenging field. Appropriating Aquinas's organizing principle of the virtues, he draws together the main strands of the Catholic moral tradition in such a way as to reveal its inner logic, and to present this in a clear, accessible, and attractive way. He wears his considerable learning lightly, and while he clearly aims to present traditional Catholic moral teachings, he does so in a way that invites thoughtful engagement and dialogue. This would be suitable in a number of undergraduate and seminary contexts, and scholars in the field will find much of value here as well."--__Jean Porter__, Rev. John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame  
  
"The new wave in theology is virtue ethics, and Mattison rides it to new systematic heights. He lays out the role of virtue in the good life, shows how virtue relates morality to the rest of theology, then applies virtue ethics to concrete quandaries of Christian living today. Designed as an engaging classroom text, this book will also interest scholars of ethical theory."--__Lisa Sowle Cahill__, Monan Professor of Theology, Boston College

__William C. Mattison III__ (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is Wilsey Family Associate Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He has edited and contributed to New Wine, New Wineskins: A Next Generation Reflects on Key Issues in Catholic Moral Theology.

Whether in the cafeteria, classroom, or dorm lounge, questions abound on college campuses. Not only do students grapple with existential issues but they also struggle with ethical ones such as "Why be moral?" In Introducing Moral Theology, William Mattison addresses this question as well as grapples with the impact that religious belief has on day-to-day living. Structured in two parts, this unique text on Catholic moral theology covers cardinal virtues (temperance, prudence, fortitude, and justice) as well as theological virtues (faith, hope, and love). It is equipped with study questions, terms and their definitions, and illustrative case studies. Rooted in the Catholic tradition, this overview will also appeal to non-Catholics interested in virtue ethics.

Provides a theologically substantive yet accessible overview of moral theology grounded in the Catholic tradition that is also illuminative to non-Catholic Christians.

Introduction  
1\. Morality, Happiness, and the "Good Life": How Do I Live My Life, and Why Do I Live That Way?  
2\. Intentions, Good Acts, and Human Freedom  
3\. Why Virtue? The Moral Life as More Than Actions  
4\. The Virtue of Temperance: Living a Passionate Moral Life  
5\. The Virtue of Prudence: Knowing the Truth and Living It  
6\. Alcohol and American College Life: Test Case One  
7\. The Virtue of Justice and Justice in Waging War  
8\. Using the Atom Bomb in World War II: Test Case Two  
9\. The Virtue of Fortitude and the Unity of the Virtues  
10\. A Transition: Actions, Practices, and Big-Picture Beliefs about the Way Things Are  
11\. The Virtue of Faith: Answering Big-Picture Questions  
12\. Sin: Corruption of Human Happiness  
13\. The Virtue of Hope: Eternity in This Life and the Next  
14\. Jesus Christ: Incarnation and Life in Christ  
15\. The Virtue of Charity: The Form of the Christian Life  
16\. Grace: The Gift of the Holy Spirit for the Virtuous Life  
17\. Chastity and Nonmarital Sex: Test Case Three  
18\. Euthanasia: Test Case Four  
Epilogue: Praying for Virtues  
Index

Mattison, William C. III

Cover Page

Title Page

Copyright Page

Acknowledgments

Introduction  

1. Morality, Happiness, and the “Good Life”: How do I Live My Life, and Why do I Live That Way?

2. Intentions, Good Acts, and Human Freedom

3. Why Virtue? The Moral Life as More Than Actions

4. The Virtue of Temperance: Living a Passionate Moral Life

5. The Virtue of Prudence: Knowing the Truth and Living it

6. Alcohol and American College Life: Test Case One

7. The Virtue of Justice and Justice in Waging War

8. Using the Atom Bomb in World War II: Test Case Two

9. The Virtue of Fortitude and the Unity of the Virtues

10. A Transition: Actions, Practices, and Big-Picture Beliefs about the Way Things are

11. The Virtue of Faith: Answering Big-Picture Questions

12. Sin: Corruption of Human Happiness

13. The Virtue of Hope: Eternity in this Life and the Next

14. Jesus Christ: Incarnation and Life in Christ

15. The Virtue of Charity: The Form of the Christian Life

16. Grace: The Gift of the Holy Spirit for the Virtuous Life

17. Chastity and Nonmarital Sex: Test Case Three

18. Euthanasia: Test Case Four 

Epilogue: Praying for Virtues

Bibliography

Whether in the cafeteria, classroom, or dorm lounge, questions abound on college campuses. Not only do students grapple with existential issues but they also struggle with ethical ones such as"Why be moral?" InIntroducing Moral Theology, William Mattison addresses this question as well as grapples with the impact that religious belief has on day-to-day living. Structured in two parts, this unique text on Catholic moral theology covers cardinal virtues (temperance, prudence, fortitude, and justice) as well as theological virtues (faith, hope, and love). It is equipped with study questions, terms and their definitions, and illustrative case studies. Rooted in the Catholic tradition, this overview will also appeal to non-Catholics interested in virtue ethics.

Offers an overview of classical virtue ethics and theological virtues. This book includes chapter objectives, terms and definitions, bibliographies, and case studies on issues such as premarital sex and euthanasia. It is suitable for wide swathe of Christian academics and believers interested in virtue ethics.

This book is divided into two sections: The Cardinal Virtues and the Good Life, and Living Virtuously in the Christian Story. It provides a solid overview of classical virtue ethics (i.e., temperance, prudence, fortitude, and justice); and theological virtues (i.e., faith, hope, and love). Professors and students alike will appreciate the chapter objectives, terms and definitions, bibliographies, and case studies on timely, thorny issues such as premarital sex and euthanasia. Readers will also note that "Introducing Moral Theology" finds a kindred spirit with Thomas Aquinas' "Summa Theologica". While written primarily to and from a Roman Catholic perspective, this text will appeal to a wide swathe of Christian academics and believers interested in virtue ethics. It includes case studies and study questions.

William C. Mattison III (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is assistant professor of theology at The Catholic University of America. He has edited and contributed to New Wine, New Wineskins: A Next Generation Reflects on Key Issues in Catholic Moral Theology.

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