Human Nature

Moral Norm

By: Francis Etheredge

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

There is a ‘difference, both anthropological and moral, between contraception and recourse to the rhythm of the cycle: it is a difference which is much wider and deeper than is usually thought, one which involves in the final analysis two irreconcilable concepts of the human person and human sexuality’ (St. John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio, 32).

Human Nature: Moral Norm wades through a cultural mixture of challenging ideas which are either turning to sludge or starting to make sense, as if coming into clear water, enabling the whole book to find its central focus: Is it true that the human being is so well woven that the precept, “be open to life”, is inherent in the very psychosomatic language of a spousal love? In other words, although at times it is almost impossible to summarize or simplify the question under investigation, it nevertheless emerges that it is truly necessary “to be open to life” even when it is deliberately intended to avoid the conception of a child; and, at the same time, that this is a discovery of the content of the human inclinations, psychological structure and spiritual reality of the “one flesh” of marriage. Thus, in a word, the moral norm which is entailed in the reciprocal gift of self in marriage is neither foreign to “being-in-relationship” nor an imposition upon it; rather, “being open to life” is as natural to spousal love as the breath is to breathing. Indeed, the moral norm of being open to life is as integral to human nature as heat is to a flame – as the flame of life and love is to the divine spark which ignites it.

There are enlivening contributions from Monsignor Livio Melina, Dr. Thomas D. Williams, Suzanne Scheller, Sr. (Dr.) Hanna Klaus, Dr. John Purk, Dr. Moira McQueen, Dr. Mary Shivanandan, Dr. Christine M. W. Ward, and Dr. Richard Spinello.