Intractable Disputes About the Natural Law

Lawrence S. Cunningham is the John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. His most recent book is A Brief History of Saints.

"MacIntyre's first essay, which presents a Thomistic vision of natural law with attention to explaining seemingly intractable moral disagreement—and all this in dialogue with utilitarian ethics—on its own would make this book an important scholarly contribution. But the ensuing contributions enable the book to flourish further, with contributions on subjects both readily associated with natural law and moral disagreement (e.g., common morality, human rights, and rival visions of virtue) as well as those more creatively connected to the genesis of the text (sacramental life, interreligious dialogue, and modes of moral discourse). Cunningham's volume both broadens and deepens contemporary thinking on a perennial topic, and will richly reward its readers." —William C. Mattison III, The Catholic University of America"Lawrence Cunningham has assembled an esteemed group of scholars to provide incisive analyses of the contemporary state of natural law theory, particularly in light of Alasdair MacIntyre's groundbreaking work. The essays are lucid, engaging, and intellectually sophisticated. Intractable Disputes about the Natural Law is a must-read not only for moral theologians, but for anyone concerned about the conceptual foundations of human rights, human dignity, and moral dialogue in pluralistic societies." —Stephen J. Pope, Boston College"We are cautioned to be humble and alert to our own vulnerabilities as practical reasoners, the more so as we engage in public disputation in defense of the natural law. This volume performs an invaluable service in guiding our reflection on this vital, perennial, and timely topic." —The Thomist"This book is more important than its title suggests. For it is not so much a book about intractable disputes about natural law, but how contemporary natural law theory might help us explain, respond to and even help solve the intractable moral disputes that are wrenching the social and political fabric of the United States, growing in post-Christian Europe, and constraining the opportunities for global collaboration based on ethical norms rather than self-interest or power." —Studies in Christian Ethics"This book will appeal to a wide array of moral theologians and philosophers interested not only in the possibility of a foundational morality grounded in natural law, but also in questions of human rights, interreligious dialogue, moral rhetoric, and sacramental life in broadly pluralistic societies." —Theological Studies"In response to a 2004 request from Cardinal Josef Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) to address issues concerning finding a common morality for humankind founded on the precepts of natural law, Cunningham and colleagues present this collection of essays addressing such issues from the disciplinary perspectives of theology, philosophy, law, and political science." —Research Book News