On Conscience: Two Essays - Hardcover

Ratzinger, Joseph Cardinal; Benedict

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0935372482 ISBN 13: 9780935372489

Publisher: Ignatius Press, 2006

Synopsis

Prepared and co-published by the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, this book is a combination of two lengthy essays written by Cardinal Ratzinger and delivered in talks when he was head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Both talks deal with the importance of conscience and its exercise in particular circumstances.

Ratzinger's reflections show that contemporary debates over the nature of conscience have deep historical and philosophical roots. He says that a person is bound to act in accord with his conscience, but he makes it clear that there must be reliable, proven sources for the judgment of conscience in moral issues, other than the subjective reflections of each individual.

The always unique and profound insights that the new Pope Benedict XVI brings to perennial problems reminds the reader of his strong warning before the recent Papal conclave of the great dangers today of the dictatorship of relativism.

About this title

About the Author:

Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI) is recognized as one of the most brilliant theologians and spiritual leaders of our age. As pope he authored the best-selling Jesus of Nazareth. Prior to his pontificate, he wrote many influential books important for the contemporary Church, such as  Introduction to Christianity and The Spirit of the Liturgy.

Review:

John Haas has collected here two seminal essays of Joseph Ratzinger, one from 1991 and one from 1984, both on the nature of conscience as understood in moral theology. These essays are brief, to the point, and abidingly instructive in providing a full understanding of what conscience means. --Fr. James Schall, S.J.

About this edition

• Publisher: Ignatius Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0935372482
• ISBN 13: 9780935372489
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 82