Ethics, Politics, and Natural Law: Principles for Human Flourishing by Melissa Moschella
On Tuesday, April 8th, 2025, at 5:00 PM, the McGrath Institute for Church Life will sponsor “Vocation as a Principle of Natural Law: A Book Launch and Discussion of Ethics, Politics and Natural Law by Melissa Moschella” at the Andrews Auditorium in Geddes Hall in celebration of Moschella’s new book, Ethics, Politics, and Natural Law (March 2025). In this book, Moschella provides an accessible explanation and development of the new natural law account of ethics and politics while clarifying common misconceptions.
“Melissa Moschella’s Ethics, Politics, and Natural Law is the most readable and accessible articulation of ‘New’ Natural Law Theory I have read in the field. I recommend the volume to ethics enthusiasts everywhere, but especially to Protestant audiences that tend to produce a voluntarist and divine command account of ethics to the neglect of articulating how and why God’s moral decrees are also eminently reasonable.” —Andrew T. Walker, author of Faithful Reason
“Is it the case, and, if so, how is it the case, that the human intellect can grasp reasons—including moral reasons—for choice and action? In Ethics, Politics, and Natural Law, Melissa Moschella provides persuasive answers to these questions as well as a cogent account of those reasons. Her book represents the clearest, most readable exposition and defense of contemporary natural law theory yet to appear.” —Robert P. George, author of Conscience and Its Enemies
“The ability to achieve this combination of philosophical rigor and clear, accessible presentation is rare. It will be appreciated across the spectrum of intellectual sophistication, schools of thought, and political ideology.” —Daniel Philpott, author of Religious Freedom in Islam
The launch will feature an introduction from John Cavandi, a presentation from author Melissa Moschella, and responses from Dan Philpott and David Cloutier. A Q&A and reception will follow. The event is free and open to the public.
Learn more about Moschella’s Ethics, Politics, and Natural Law at undpress.nd.edu.
Melissa Moschella is a professor of the practice in philosophy at the University of Notre Dame’s McGrath Institute for Church Life. She is the author of To Whom Do Children Belong? Parental Rights, Civic Education, and Children’s Autonomy.