The Moral Virtues and Theological Ethics - 2nd Edition by Romanus Cessario O P (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Since it was first published in 1991, The Moral Virtues and Theological Ethics has received praise from a wide range of commentators, both Catholic and Protestant. This second edition includes discussion of works that have appeared since the early 1990s, especially the first papal document to address fundamental questions of moral theology, Veritatis Splendor. Those who already have adopted the book for classroom use will welcome this new edition, while those who have just been introduced to it will find an authoritative account of the status that virtue-centered theological ethics enjoys today.

Following a new preface, the text of the six chapters from the original edition remains unchanged. However, Romanus Cessario has substantially updated his notes to account for recent literature on the subject, and a new chapter that accommodates his original study to current developments in moral theology. This second edition will inspire a new generation of students and teachers.

Review Quotes

"In this second edition, Cessario presents a brief but thorough introduction to Christian virtue theory, specifically as expounded by Aquinas in his Summa Theologiae. What is new here is a consideration of recent papal teaching (John Paul II's Veritatis Splendor and Benedict XVI's Deus Caritas Est) as it relates to virtue theory. . . . The book is meant to be studied, not merely read, and so is most appropriate for graduate and advanced [students]." --Choice

"It is the author's intention to provide a general introduction to the Christian virtues and their role in ethics for students. A moral theology based on virtues represents an important element of the tradition. The author's main source is Thomas Aquinas. . . . The author's emphasis on the imago Dei as a theological category is a good starting point." --Catholic Library World

About the Author

Romanus Cessario, O.P., is a Fellow of the Pontifical Academy of Saint Thomas Aquinas and Professor of Systematic Theology at St. John's Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts.