Wybór podstawowy a konkretne decyzje moralne

Abstract

The third part of the II chapter of the encyclical letter „Veritatis splendor” (65-70) is the starting point for this paper. First the author presents the idea of the fundamental option in today's moral theology. The contribution of some philosophical trends and of human sciences is stressed here with regard to this concept as well as to its meaning for the personalistic interpretation of human action (1). Then the author points out the abuse of the category of fundamental option as shown in the encyclical (2). To emphasize the positive aspects of fundamental option he indicates the biblical premises that enable the proper interpretation of the theory. A special attention is paid to the context of the Covenant and the role of the so called Covenant's fundamental command (5). In the last part of the paper the author shows that only the close connection between fundamental option and particular (categorial) moral choices leads to the proper understanding of the role of the fundamental option in a Christian's moral life.