Second Faculty Retreat: Education and Goodness

Examining the Role of Knowledge in Eternal and Legal Obligations
Directed by Dr. Brian Sheppard
November 16, 2016

Goodness can be a matter of following norms.  Some norms might be eternal, but others might be from the state.  Jesus said, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."  But if eternal obligations trump legal obligations, why have the latter?  According to St. Thomas, we often lack a complete understanding of the eternal, leaving us with equally moral alternatives.  Legal authorities may choose among these alternatives and morally bind us.  Thus, what we know can alter what we must obey.  We will explore how education might change the scope of law and good action. 

Brian Sheppard, S.J.D., is a Professor of Law in Seton Hall's School of Law.  His research concerns how norms change decision-making.

For more information, contact Linda Garofalo or Francia Peterson at (973) 313-6042. Please RSVP to [email protected].

Sponsored by:  The Office of Mission and Ministry, and the Center for Vocation and Servant Leadership.