"Although the Venerable John Henry Newman rightly enjoys universal acclamation as an outstanding theologian and literary genius of the nineteenth century his philosophical thought has been somewhat overlooked . This, in part, has been due to the dearth of serious published research in this area. Dr Richardson has produced just such a book and shows beyond doubt the importance of Newman's contribution to contemporary philosophy. This work will certainly promote greater interest in Newman's philosophy and to furthering his cause for recognition as one of the more significant philosophers of the nineteenth century."--BOOK JACKET.

Fergus Kerr, OP is one of the foremost Catholic theologians of his generation. His works are widely read by specialists and students in the UK, North America and across the world. His 'Theology after Wittgenstein' is regarded as a seminal work in philosophical theology. His 'After Aquinas: Versions of Thomism' and 'Twentieth Century Catholic Theologians' are two of the finest student-focussed introductions to their topics currently available. The essays in this collection cover the two key areas of Kerr's contribution: the relationship between theology and philosophy, focusing particularly on Thomism; and twentieth century Catholic thought. These themes provide the volume's coherence. A key strength of this volume lies in the stature of its contributors. These include the Canadian Catholic philosopher and Templeton-laureate Charles Taylor, Stanley Hauerwas, John Milbank, David Burrell and Denys Turner. A number of younger contributors, representing the influence of Kerr over several generations, are also represented.

This book is a systematic study of religious morality in the works of John Henry Newman (1801-1890). The work considers Newman’s widely discussed views on conscience and assent, analyzing his understanding of moral law and its relation to the development of moral doctrine in Church tradition. By integrating Newman’s religious epistemology and theological method, the author explores the hermeneutics of the imagination in moral decision-making: the imagination enables us to interpret complex reality in a practical manner, to relate belief with action. The analysis bridges philosophical and religious discourse, discussing three related categories. The first deals with Newman’s commitment to truth and holiness whereby he connects the realm of doctrine with the realm of salvation. The second category considers theoretical foundations of religious morality, and the third category explores Newman’s hermeneutics of the imagination to clarify his view of moral law, moral conscience, and Church tradition as practical foundations of religious morality. The author explains how secular reason in moral discernment can elicit religious significance. As a result, Church tradition should develop doctrine and foster holiness by being receptive to emerging experiences and cultural change. John Henry Newman was a highly controversial figure and his insightful writings continue to challenge and influence scholarship today. This book is a significant contribution to that scholarship and the analysis and literature comprise a detailed research guide for graduates and scholars.

This volume of essays, sponsored by the Newman Association of America, serves to identify, preserve, and promote the legacy of John Henry Newman. It argues that eleven major elements of Newman’s life and work speak to us today, and, in fact, are very important resources for believers in their confrontation with the challenges of an increasingly secular world. They also resonate loudly to a church in crisis both internally and externally in its confrontation with that world. Ten authors, included among them some of the world’s most noted Newman scholars, as well as several emerging ones, address various aspects of Newman’s legacy on a host of subjects. These include the nature and challenges of faith both for believers and contemporary “nones” with no religious affiliations, an analysis of what and how we know things, particularly bearing on religious matters, the experience of conversions, the place and meaning of relationships in our search for God, especially those of family, home, and friendships, the indispensable role of the church in our drive for holiness, the nature and importance of education and its personal dimension, and the correct application of history in studying and learning from Newman’s legacy. Those who have questions and who think about these subjects, academics and non-academics alike, will find much to ponder in these essays.