Does Morality Change

Recent decades have seen vast and rapid changes in almost every sphere of life. Many reflective adults find it difficult to adjust to these changes, especially when they have repercussions in such areas as morality and religious practice. Does Morality Change? examines the subject of morality and conscience, and discusses how the basic moral tenets do not change from one generation to the other, although interpretation of moral matters changes in light of new scientific and medical knowledge and social developments. In Does Morality Change? Sean Fagan reflects on the changes that have radically altered our world and examines how they affect our understanding of morality. He points out that although it is taken for granted that morality does not change - what is right must always be right, what is wrong is always wrong - this is an over-simplification. Morality is based on reality, but reality itself changes, and our understanding of reality likewise changes. He further maintains that the 'moral norms' formulated by tradition are based on 'reality' as experienced, understood, and interpreted by people, in light of their culture. The pastoral aim of this book is to free people, to help them find their way in the confusion, by explaining the phenomenon of change in today's world and Church, by listing the more significant changes in different areas, considering some of the implications and effects of these changes, and in the light of all this, to take a fresh look at some traditional topics in moral theology. Reflections along these lines may serve, in the words of St. Paul, 'for the building up of the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.' (Eph. 4:12-14).