Books by John M. (University of Toronto) Rist

Explores how the concept of person developed from both non-Christian and Christian sources and the ensuing impact of post-Christian culture. This book considers whether we have rights as persons, whether we 'matter', and how we have reached a position where we are not sure whether we do.

This volume traces the distortion of Augustine's moral thought from the twelfth century to the present day and examines the consequences of replacing it with increasingly secular and impersonal moral systems. In order to avoid the nihilistic conclusions of these systems, John M. Rist proposes a return to a revitalized Augustinian Christianity.

Is truth unchanging? Can it develop over time? To what extent may the Catholic community jettison or modify earlier beliefs? Should it embrace insights from other cultures? Rist argues that dynamism rather than rigidity is essential to avoiding fundamentalism or anarchy, and to promoting the dignity of the human person.