The moral theology of Kenneth Kirk, Bishop of Oxford: studies in its development, application and influence

This is a study in the development, application and influence of Kenneth Kirk on moral theology. The whole thesis is an attempt at a descriptive analysis of his work. Kirk stated that his purpose was to undertake a new investigation of the study of moral theology. V.A. Demant’s description of Kirk’s contribution to that study as “immense” seems perfectly fair. In his work we find extensive investigation of primary sources, Christian, pre-Christian and secular. One can agree with Dr Pütz that Kirk’s own education encouraged him to see the potential in others and the possibility of developing that potential through education, especially through the cooperation of Church and State through schools. So there is a line of development in Kirk’s thinking from The Study of Silent Minds to the Principles, in which work education of the soul and the will is a vital theme.