Catholic sources of moral authority

Question 1

natural law

Answer 1

• belief in natural law is key part of catholic moral teaching. idea that there is a universal moral law of right and wrong that applies to all humans at all times
• natural law was out forward by catholic saint, Thomas Aquinas. He stated that all human beings have 5 primary principles. All people have these co,mon: 1) worship God 2) Orderly society 3) reproduce 4) learn through education 5) defend innocent life
• because of these common principles, there are some universal laws that all human beings have to obey. for example, laws against murder, child abuse, theft and lying. At a basic level humans should do good and avoid evil. Catholics would say that Natural Law is a God given ability to understand the difference between right and wrong
  “Deep within his conscience man discovers a law..which he must obey (Catechism of the catholic church)

Question 2

conscience

Answer 2

• a Gid given inner feeling of right and wrong
• it guides Catholics to make good choices. Catholics have an obligation (duty) to follow their conscience. Catholics make sure their conscience is informed by the Bible and traditions as interpreted by the Church. Catholics making moral decisions must follow their conscience
• existence of conscience is another proof of the goodness of God who created human beings in his own image. Catholics believe if humans followed their conscience more often there would be far less evil in the world, and far less suffering as a result

The conscience is a “voice calling him to do what is good and avoid evil” (Catechism)

Question 3

virtues

Answer 3

• catholics believe living a good life + obeying their conscience is something that requires practice. Catholics believe that there are moral habits which human beings need to practice in order to become good people
• these moral habits are called ‘virtues’ which come from latin word for ‘perfection’. these virtues challenge our instinctive selfishness. examples of virtues that catholics are encouraged to practice are: courage, patience, generosity and kindness
  “A virtue…allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself” (Catechism)