What is Morality?
Stage four: law and order
(Conventional) moral parent Ego= self -> other Intellect= irrational -> rational Do your duty Right behavior consists of one's duty Flaws in the system are due to the failure of individuals to obey the system
Stage three: conforming to the will of the group
(Conventional) moral parent Ego= self -> other Intellect= irrational -> rational Peer pressure Conforming to standard ideas of what is the will of the group Acting to gain acceptance
Stage five: social contract
(Post conventional) moral adult Ego= other ventured Intellect= rational General values Laws are justified on the basis of more general principles Concern for maintaining self respect and respect of the community
Stage six: personal conscience
(Post conventional) moral adult Ego= other ventured Intellect= rational Saint level Right is a decision of personal conscience in accord with ethical principles that apply to all persons everywhere Decisions based upon universal principles of justice, the reciprocity and equality of human rights, and the respect of the dignity of human beings as individual persons
Stage two: personal usefulness
(Preconventional) moral child Intellect=irrational Ego=self centered Basically pragmatic or useful to me Attitude of, "i'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" Manipulation and personal gain
Stage one: punishment and obedience
(Preconventional) moral child Intellect=irrational Ego=self centered Fear of power or authority Its okay if one's not caught
The christian and the decent of truth
1) Plurality of opinion in matters of custom, politics, and other relative matters is a legitimate exercise of human freedom 2) While accepting "healthy pluralism", Christians nevertheless have the obligation to acknowledge their beliefs nad preach the moral message given by Jesus 3) The Christian ought to defend the truth in a positive manner, respecting others and living out charity, while at the same time proclaiming the truth without fear
3 aspects of moral decision
1. Act must be Good 2. Intention must be good 3. Circumstances must be fitting
Four steps to Moral Decision Making
1. Seek out information 2. Decision 3. Act 4. Evaluate
Disciple
A follower who adopts another person's way of life, taking on his particular type of discipline
Humanism
A moral system that denies belief in God and views humanity as the highest form of existence
Original sin
Adam and Eve's abuse of their human freedom in disobeying God's command. This sin separated mankind form God, darkened the human intellect, weakened the human will, and introduced into human nature an inclination toward sin
The specificity of Catholic Morality
All who are baptized are require to live the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, which have been infused at Baptism and enable us to share in the divine nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Amorality
An attitude that lacks any moral orientation, dispensing from all moral norms
Impediments
Block free will in decision making (fear, love, etc.)
Man as a social being
Discipleship can't live without human nature, but human nature can live without discipleship Concupiscente- tendency to sin, comes forth from natural sin Our natural attraction to sensual and maternal plase
Christian concept of mankind
Dualistic nature (body AND soul)
Christian humanism
Embraces humanity as a wonderful gift from God thought which we can know, love, and serve him
Secular humanism
Ethical view of life that questions or does not accept the existence of God, an immortal soul, or an after life
Grace
God's presence within us
3 fold definition of morality
It judges in a particular space and time It is a science in that it deals with facts It searches for the "ought"
Sources of Moral Theology
Magisterium Sacred scripture and sacred tradition = the deposit of faith
Ancillary sciences of moral theology
Philosophical ethics Law Anthropology, psychology, medicine
5 levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs (from bottom to top)
Physiological Shelter/name Intimacy Esteem (success, pride) Self actualizacion
Morality
Principles/beliefs that act as guidelines in decision making
STOP method
Search Think of alternatives Others Pray
Conscience
State of mind, voice, internal compass that helps us know the difference between good and evil
Matieralism
The belief that matter is the only reality that everything can be explained only in terms of matter, and that comfort, pleasure, and/or wealthy are the only or highest goods or values
Pluralism
The existence of a variety of opinions or ideas within human society, some of which may contradict or oppose one another. A pluralism in the application of moral principles and social customs is valid insofar as it does not contradict God's revelation and sound reason
Magisterium
The name given to the ordinary and universal teaching authority of the pope and the bishops in communion with him, who guide the members of the Church without error in matters of faith and morals
Moral law
The objective standards authored by God and taught by Church authority
Christian morality
The part of theology that specifies the moral norms derived from the new being that the Christian-- because of his incorporation into Christ in baptism-- needs to follow, with the hope of imitating Jesus' life to the point of identifying with him
Natural law
The participation of human beings in the plan of God in relation to human life and action insofar as the human mind can grasp that plan. The objective order established by God that determines the requirements for humans to thrive for and reach fulfillment
Freedom
The power rooted in reason and the will, to act or not act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one's own responsibility
Theological virtues
Virtues infused in the soul at Baptism that enable each person to share in the divine nature of God-- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In catholic theology, there are three: faith, hope, and charity.
Moral theology
Will use insights from psychology to explain how a person is motivated to make a moral choice Ethics systems are based on reason alone