HUMAN SEXUALITY: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF AMERICAN CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL THOUGHT FROM 1965 THROUGH 1980 (GRISEZ, MCCORMICK, MAY, CURRAN)

Since Vatican Council II, and particularly after publication of Humanae Vitae, much debate has taken place among theologians about the meaning and purpose of human sexuality. Between 1965 and 1980 many diverse theories by American Catholic theologians appeared dealing with the meaning of human sexuality and the criteria for judging the morality of genital actions. A critical analysis of these diverse theories is needed.; The purpose of this study is to examine the thought of representative proponents of these diverse theologies. More specifically, its aim is to discover: (1) the underlying anthropological presuppositions of these authors and their relevance to their understanding of human sexuality; (2) the basic moral methodology proposed by each author; and (3) the arguments given by each author to evaluate the morality of genital actions. This investigation is undertaken in three parts.; Part I offers an analysis of the views set forth by authors writing in the natural law tradition of St. Thomas. Thus Chapter I investigates the reformulation of Thomistic natural law theory by Germain G. Grisez. Chapter II examines the thought of Robert and Mary Joyce on the meaning of human sexuality. Chapter III investigates William E. May's evaluation of sexual activity based on an understanding of human sexuality and moral methodology compatible with those set forth in Chapters I and II.; The second "school" of thought examined provides the material for Part II. This Part is also divided into three chapters. Chapter IV looks to the writings of Richard A. McCormick; Chapter V to those of Charles E. Curran; and Chapter VI to those of John Giles Milhaven, Anthony Kosnik et al., and Philip S. Keane.; With the critical exposition of the two "schools" of thought complete, it is the purpose of Part III to make a comparative analysis of both groups. Having done this, the author then provides some final conclusions with respect to the meaning of human sexuality and the moral determination of genital sexual activity. This concluding analysis is undertaken in Chapter VII which comprises the whole of Part III.