[In an effort to clarify foundational categories for moral theology, the author explores several polarities that have often been woven into discussions of moral formation. The first issue she addresses concerns the roles of socialization and autonomy, tradition and innovation, “heritage” and “discovery” in moral development. These principles of change are seen to be complementary rather than contradictory. She then engages the question of the distortion of development through sin, exploring the dialectic of authenticity and inauthenticity. Finally, she applies these categories and relations to the unfolding of moral theology with the Christian tradition, elucidating implications for Christian ethics today.]