Ethics and Moral Philosophy of Karol Wojtyla

Karol Wojtyla or John Paul II is more well known for his Papacy and for his teachings and writings as the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church for over a quarter of century. He wrote extensively about the dignity of the human person and defined the social doctrine of the Church. Through his encyclical letters, John Paul II affirmed the dignity of the human person more especially women and workers, and the importance of the family for the future of humanity. He was criticized for upholding the Church's teachings against artificial contraception and the ordination of women, the reform of the Liturgy and for his ecumenical efforts. Not much is known about the underlying thoughts of Wojtyla or John Paul II about ethics and morality which form as the basis of his papal teachings. This paper aims to elucidate on the thoughts of Wojtyla on ethics and ethical theory and his own brand of moral philosophy.