Tragedy Tradition Transformism: The Ethics of Paul Ramsey

In his original interpretation and critique of Paul Ramseys ethical thought D. Stephen Long traces the development of one of the mid-twentieth centurys most important and controversial religious social thinkers. Long examines Ramseys early liberal idealism as well as later influences on his work including the just war doctrine Reinhold Niebuhrs realism H. Richard Niebuhrs historical relativism Karl Barths neo-orthodoxy and Jacques Maritains integralism. Long overcomes obstacles confronting any Ramsey scholar--such as a theology that cannot be systematized and the complexities of Ramseys own writing--and lends sharp insight to the philosophical theological and moral issues we face today. Scholars of religious ethics and intellectual thought will find this work to be essential reading. Paul Ramseys contribution to twentieth-century Christian ethics in this country was immense and it deserves attention and careful study. Stephen Long provides just that--offering a thorough account of the development of Ramseys thought some little-known information (from the Ramsey papers at Duke) about Ramseys early years and the kind of probing theological analysis that Ramsey himself always attempted. This book will help make possible a continued reappropriation of the riches of Ramseys writings. --Gilbert Meilaender Oberlin College D. Stephen Long is Professor of Theology at Marquette University. He has published a number of works including The Goodness of God The Divine Economy John Wesleys Moral Theology and Theology and Culture (Cascade Books 2007).