6 SEPTEMBER 1968, Page 30

Sir: Mr Simon Raven's primer was termed immoral by Mr

John Pritchett (Letters, 30 August), and by conventimal standards it ob- viously is. He deals with human character and conduct not in terms of moral judgments, but by considering these qualities in the light of their actual nature. This is demonstrated by, for example, his very empirical approach to the problems of love and marriage in Number 3 (16 August). Not only is this approach con- trary to that of the science of ethics but also to that of moral theology, which might be defined as the 'science of human acts con- sidered in the light of man's supernatural destiny.'

To us young, disliking to submit our reason to such authoritarian philosophies as format ethics and moral theology, this is the voice of a man who understands us. Far from being treated as things, to quote Mr Pritchett, Mr Raven gives us freedom of choice, a consider- able compliment and an important part of human dignity.

Thank you, Mr Raven, for guiding us in such a practical way in these confusing times and, dare I say it, with such moral courage.