Introducing Moral Theology: True Happiness and the Virtues

This is a very easy to understand yet precise text. It is exactly as it says - an introduction to moral theology. I almost sometimes wish it would challenge me more! But great read - and great resource around the house. Edit: I came back here a second time to praise this book. Since my reading it, I have given it to three other people. You take SO many things for granted and this book really helps people understand some of those things. It's too basic for some people -- but I find the vast majority of people miscalculate how much of this they understand. You don't have to agree with all the Christian aspects, but you can understand the underlying ideas a lot better.

Mattison takes solid Catholic moral theology and presents it in terms and images that are not intimidating, but invite the student to examine the foundations of morality as a happy life, rather than a life of obligation. He shows how the virtues enable and embody that happy life, and importantly, how one develops virtues. He presents one virtue at a time, and his style is to tell the reader what he's going to say, then to say it, and to remind us what he's just said. The student integrates content by completing study questions and further through reflection questions that invite integrative expression. Needless to say, this makes the instructor's job easier both in terms of creating assignments and initiating classroom discussion. My undergraduate students are reading this book in conjunction with the Splendor of Truth and comment on how accessible the encyclical becomes because they've met the terms and concepts as presented by Mattison in connection with their own life situations.

Clearly written, easy to understand, and packed with wisdom. I appreciate the gentle but solid approach Mattison takes describing the moral life. His practical examples of applying the virtues are what makes his work particularly helpful. Even though Mattison admits to coming from a Christian perspective, this work can assist Christian and non-Christian alike in developing a greater understanding of morality and the virtues. I would recommend this for those who have no background at all on the subject as well as those who seek to deepen their knowledge of the virtuous life.

I purchased this book to use as preparation for giving a lecture as a Catechist in our parish Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program. I had researched other books online and this seemed to be the best. However, while the book may be right for some, it has not met my expectations. While I like and admire Thomistic and scholastic theology, using this book as a resource, I would find it very difficult to present a cogent, understandable lecture to my lay audience. I suppose my main criticism is that the book is more than an "Introduction." However, that opinion is my shortcoming, not the author's. I wanted an introduction to serve as a resource for my lecture. To me, this is a full fledged course and may be perfect for others.

I recommend this I recommend this book which is useful not only for its masterful summary of the moral magisterium on bioethics, but also for its treatment of such various issues in bioethics today.

Bought this for school, but it is a very interesting read that offers great perspectives. I was shocked at how much I enjoyed this book, especially since I am not a Christian!

Fantastic! A must read book on Christian virtue. An even better book on Christian virtue with a chapter by Mattison is called Being Good; Christian Virtues for Everyday Life.

This was used in my Moral Theology class. It was one of my favorite classes, and I think this book does a good job breaking things down.

The book is very important to learn and be eable to choose between what make us happy and what is happines.

Easy read. Excellent for beginners and adequate for even university level reading.

An excellent introduction to Moral. Clear at good exemplars

I paid for the new version and received either a damaged book or a used and damaged book.

This book arrived damaged and dirty. I will be asking for a replacement or refund if I can’t get a replacement.