Personalism vs. natural law : in search of a methodology in sexual morality

Abstract

This dissertation is split in three chapters preceded by an introduction. The introduction includes different models of sexual ethics that have been used in the development of sexual morality. Following these four models I have focussed on the main two models that are of importance to this dissertation, i.e. Natural Law and Personalism. In this introductory part these two models will be presented on a general, historical and also philosophical way. Chapter 1 will then take us into the heart of the subject, that of the Natural Law as it was utilized in church doctrine through the years. Chapter 2 will then focus on the Paradigm shift in sexual morality namely the Personalism of Gaudium et Spes, other Church Documents and also the view of a theologian such as Louis Janssens. Chapter 3 is the concluding chapter. In this chapter the emphasis is on the ongoing debate in the Church. The chapter includes the contribution of Pope John Paul II to the discussion by focussing on the differences and similarities between Personalism and Natural Law in Veritatis Splendor. The Conclusion focuses on the ongoing debate that is still very much alive in the Sexual morality debate.