The Giving and Taking of Life

A discussion of the development of the central tenets of liberal Catholic Christian ethics. The author contends that moral wisdom does not derive from either moral law or ecclesiastical authority, but emerges from active reflection on the experience of those living out of the traditions of a community of believers. In particular, he develops the insight that it is in giving and sustaining life that we come to life. As many outside the tradition from which he writes share this insight and because he appeals to considerations shared by non-Catholic, even humanistic traditions, Burtchaell's book will be of interest to anyone concerned about the controversial positions he takes on leading moral issues of the day, such as contraception, abortion, research on aborted foetal tissue, liberation theology, terrorism, and the relationship between law and morality.