Introduction [Mapping a moral consensus : calibrating an ethical compass for the future - Festschrift in honour of Mgr Professor Emmanuel Agius on the occasion of his seventieth birthday]

Abstract

It is a privilege to honour a scholar whose life’s work has steadfastly guided moral reflection towards the common good, not only within his immediate academic and ecclesial communities, but also across international platforms where ethical decisions shape the future of humanity. Anyone who knows or who has encountered Mgr Professor Emmanuel Agius, whether through his lectures, his engaged discussions, or his collaborative work in international fora, will recognise that the title of this Festschrift, Mapping a Moral Consensus: Calibrating an Ethical Compass for the Future, comes as no surprise. It captures not only the essence of his scholarly work across four decades, but also the urgent moral task facing our present generation. Throughout his distinguished career as an ethicist and bioethicist, Professor Agius has consistently demonstrated a remarkable ability to navigate the complex terrain of moral discourse, seeking not merely to articulate positions and defend moral principles, but to build bridges of understanding across diverse perspectives. His scholarly approach embodies a profound commitment to the possibility of genuine moral consensus, even in an age marked by growing moral pluralism and ideological fragmentation. He has shown, time and time again, that convictions rooted in tradition can still speak meaningfully across boundaries of culture and belief, and that moral clarity need not come at the expense of an open, transparent and respectful dialogue.