Morals and Man
- Unit price
- / per
Product Details
By Gerald Vann, O.P.
“Man is born free,” Rousseau famously observed, “and everywhere he is in chains.” For modern man, these chains are often forged not by ignorance, but by information. As Gerald Vann, O.P., describes: “With so much to occupy the surface of the mind and imagination, so much work and so much play, it is possible to pass one’s whole life without really thinking at all…” For those who shirk this possibility and seek to know the meaning of life, two instruments are essential: philosophy and theology, directed toward producing a system which can comprise “the whole of life, the directing of all one’s life to God.” In guiding this endeavor, Vann addresses the theoretical, surveying the wisdom of Thomistic moral thought regarding freedom, happiness, and law, and then addresses the practical, applying the insights of Thomistic “theory” to politics, economics, “modern” Christianity, liturgy, marriage, and more.
First published in 1937 as Morals Makyth Man, with a second edition in 1960, Morals and Man is a perceptive, at times provocative, evaluation of the humanist project and its principles. Like Maritain’s Integral Humanism, it takes seriously the search of man’s reasons for and methods of living, and strikingly concludes that life without religion, as without morality, is a life bereft of meaning—a contradiction in terms.
St. Thomas’s moral theology expresses a truth which we Christians of today have almost entirely forgotten: the truth that morals deals first and foremost with man, that its task is to explain what man should be like—the ideal of man—and that consequently Christian morals should portray the Christian ideal of man. (Josef Pieper)
Gerald Vann, O.P. (1906–1963) was an English Dominican priest and author of numerous bestselling works of philosophy, spirituality, and theology. A gifted preacher and scholar, he was in great demand as a lecturer and retreat-master, and appeared frequently in the United States on the National Council of Catholic Men’s weekly radio program, “The Catholic Hour.”
* * *
Paperback: 238pp.
ISBN: 978-1685954116

Hundreds of thousands of the finest Catholic gifts, devotional items, and religious jewelry — carefully curated and ready to ship.
🛍️ Plus:
Morals and Man
- Unit price
- / per
Adding product to your cart
You may also like
Product Details
By Gerald Vann, O.P.
“Man is born free,” Rousseau famously observed, “and everywhere he is in chains.” For modern man, these chains are often forged not by ignorance, but by information. As Gerald Vann, O.P., describes: “With so much to occupy the surface of the mind and imagination, so much work and so much play, it is possible to pass one’s whole life without really thinking at all…” For those who shirk this possibility and seek to know the meaning of life, two instruments are essential: philosophy and theology, directed toward producing a system which can comprise “the whole of life, the directing of all one’s life to God.” In guiding this endeavor, Vann addresses the theoretical, surveying the wisdom of Thomistic moral thought regarding freedom, happiness, and law, and then addresses the practical, applying the insights of Thomistic “theory” to politics, economics, “modern” Christianity, liturgy, marriage, and more.
First published in 1937 as Morals Makyth Man, with a second edition in 1960, Morals and Man is a perceptive, at times provocative, evaluation of the humanist project and its principles. Like Maritain’s Integral Humanism, it takes seriously the search of man’s reasons for and methods of living, and strikingly concludes that life without religion, as without morality, is a life bereft of meaning—a contradiction in terms.
St. Thomas’s moral theology expresses a truth which we Christians of today have almost entirely forgotten: the truth that morals deals first and foremost with man, that its task is to explain what man should be like—the ideal of man—and that consequently Christian morals should portray the Christian ideal of man. (Josef Pieper)
Gerald Vann, O.P. (1906–1963) was an English Dominican priest and author of numerous bestselling works of philosophy, spirituality, and theology. A gifted preacher and scholar, he was in great demand as a lecturer and retreat-master, and appeared frequently in the United States on the National Council of Catholic Men’s weekly radio program, “The Catholic Hour.”
* * *
Paperback: 238pp.
ISBN: 978-1685954116

Hundreds of thousands of the finest Catholic gifts, devotional items, and religious jewelry — carefully curated and ready to ship.
🛍️ Plus:
You may also like
You may also like
Recommended products
Testimonials
We love to make you smile! 😊
I've purchased several items from you folks. The quality is unbelievable and the service matches that quality. The prices are so much lower than a standard jewelry store and again the quality is way better. They are outstanding as a gift. Thank you all.
Purchased a rosary for my nephew's confirmation. I had some questions along the way and customer service was very receptive and kind... Hard to find such good customer service these days. It was very refreshing and very much appreciated!
I have ordered a few things from Catholic Shop, including medals with engraving and candles. As for the medals and engraving, super job and very well made and dear to my heart. I can not say enough about Catholic Shop, their customer service and guarantee.