Chapter 3 Morality Flashcards
Civil government
The proper authority for giver ing and enforcing laws at the local, municipal, state, or national level
Civil law
A rule of conduct imposed by civil authority
Common good
The total of social conditions that will allow both individuals and groups to reach their human and spiritual fulfillment more easily
Consequentialism
An ethical system that determines the level of goodness or evil from the effect or result of an act
Ecclesiastical government
The Church’s own governing body, such as a diocese or the Holy See
End
The primary goal of the intention and the purpose pursued in an action
Equality of proportion
Principle that the burden of law must be shared by all
Eternal law
God’s wisdom as manifested in the nature of acts and movements
Fundamental opinion
The free and responsible choice a person makes to orient, in a radical manner, his whole existence in a moral direction toward good or evil
Human law
Law promulgated by human authority, either civil or ecclesiastical. Must be consistent with the laws of God, conform to the natural law, and promote the good of society
Intention
A movement of the will toward an end
Just law
An ordinance of reason that exists for the common good, having been made by legitimate authority and legislated through an appropriate and recognized process
Law
An ordinance of reason that exists for the common good, having been made by legitimate authority and legislated through an appropriate and recognized process
Law of grace
The New Law ushered in by Christ
Laws of nature
Descriptions of the behavior of the material universe
Legitimate Authority
A recognized and official authority in civil or ecclesiastical law
Object
That toward which the will directs itself. This is distinct from the intention that a person has when performing an act
Positive laws
Laws created by the proper authority that enjoin specific obligations upon individuals and bind in conscience insofar as they conform to the dictates of the divine and natural laws
Principle of double effect
An act may be performed, even if accompanied by an unintended bad effect, if the act itself is good or indifferent, the good act far oureaches the bad effect
Proportionalism
An ethical system that deduces the moral value of an act from the proportion of its good and evil effects
Situation ethics
An ethical system that determines the good or evil nature of an act from the circumstances
Universality
The ability ro be applied to everyone in every situation
Unjust law
A law that contradicts or otherwise fails to conform to divine and natural law
Circumstances
The condition or state of affairs surrounding a moral decision; these include the consequences of an action
