Human Evolution and Christian Ethics

Stephen J. Pope (Boston College, Massachusetts)

Human Evolution and Christian Ethics
Format
Hardback
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Country
United Kingdom
Published
20 December 2007
Pages
374
ISBN
9780521863407

Human Evolution and Christian Ethics

Stephen J. Pope (Boston College, Massachusetts)

Can the origins of morality be explained entirely in evolutionary terms? If so, what are the implications for Christian moral theology and ethics? Is the latter redundant, as socio-biologists often assert? Stephen Pope argues that theologians need to engage with evolutionary theory rather than ignoring it. He shows that our growing knowledge of human evolution is compatible with Christian faith and morality, provided that the former is not interpreted reductionistically and the latter is not understood in fundamentalist ways. Christian ethics ought to incorporate evolutionary approaches to human nature to the extent that they provide helpful knowledge of the conditions of human flourishing, both collective and individual. From this perspective, a strong affirmation of human dignity and appreciation for the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity is consistent with a revised account of natural law and the cardinal virtues.

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