ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book deals systematically with some of the issues that modern and recent moral philosophy has brought to the forefront. Most of the contributions here revolve around the relationship between natural law and practical reason, as well as the practical relevance of natural law theory as a whole. According to Ana Marta González, the concept of Natural Law, as expounded by Aquinas, is marked by a number of internal tensions, ultimately rooted in the fact that Law constitutes an extrinsic principle for guiding human action, whereas nature is, by definition, an intrinsic principle. This basic tension, at the very heart of 'Natural Law' would account for its characterization as a Limiting concept. In fact, the present revival of Natural Law constitutes a reminder that moral philosophy cannot be reduced to metaethics, but has rather to recall once and again its practical vocation.
