Monthly Archives: March 2013

Training to be good

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Quentin

In my last column I wrote about how the distinguished Catholic philosopher, Elizabeth Anscombe, set modern moral philosophers off on a quest to validate virtue ethics. This week I want to explore how this approach can release us from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic Herald columns, Moral judgment, Philosophy, virtue ethics | Tagged , | 22 Comments

Broken marriage

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Quentin

“Broken families cost taxpayers £46bn a year” read a headline in my newspaper this Monday morning. Apparently that is £1,541 per taxpayer. It includes benefits, child care, and vandalism in school. The total sum has increased by £9bn since 2009. … Continue reading →

Posted in Church and Society, Moral judgment, Quentin queries | Tagged , | 61 Comments

Metamorals

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Quentin

In the list of influential Catholics in the twentieth century the philosopher Elizabeth Anscombe, who died in 2001, will certainly find a place. She removed the underpinning of moral philosophy, as currently practised, and triggered a revival of virtue ethics. … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic Herald columns, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 106 Comments

Do you feel guilty?

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Quentin

From time to time on this Blog contributors have considered whether a breach of the Church’s teaching on contraception might lead to the acceptance of a wide range of undesirable sexual practices. This argument is based on recent history which … Continue reading →

Posted in Moral judgment, Quentin queries, Spirituality | 70 Comments