The Genius of John Paul II
The Great Pope's Moral Wisdom
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- $21.99
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- $21.99
Publisher Description
In this exciting new book, renowned ethicist Richard Spinello offers the first comprehensive presentation of the late John Paul II's great moral vision. Here admirers may read and understand the essential teachings of the pope in his own words as Spinello draws on his extensive research into John Paul II's writings and talks. Subjects covered include reverence for life, concern for the poor and suffering, moral law, conscience, moral choice, intrinsically evil acts, freedom, and goodness.
The purpose of this book is two-fold: it not only persuasively presents the late pope's vital teachings, but also defends them against his critics. This important new work preserves and promotes the extraordinary legacy of John Paul II by focusing on his championing of universal human dignity and objective moral truths.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Though beloved for his warmth and charismatic personality, Pope John Paul II was often portrayed in popular media as rigid and narrow-minded when it came to his pronouncements on moral issues. Spinello, director of ethics programs for the Carroll School of Management at Boston College, fiercely challenges that characterization in this overview of the late pope's moral teachings. Spinello explains that John Paul's views are founded on the Bible and the "living tradition" of the Catholic faith, including the early church fathers as well as the more recent writings of the Second Vatican Council. They are also shaped by philosophy, particularly the work of Thomas Aquinas. Spinello goes on to outline those views, often contrasting them with those of dissenting Catholic voices. Readers who want more than the sound-byte version of John Paul's moral positions and are willing to dig deeper into the underpinnings of the late pope's thinking will find Spinello's work both thoughtful and thorough.