Definitions Flashcards
Freedom
The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
Principle
A rule/standard of good behaviour
Morality
Principles concerning the difference between good and bad, right and wrong
Justice
The virtue that gives each person their due in the distribution of goods; upholding what is fair and equitable
Social justice
Fairness and duty to one another within society; implies that we are responsible for the well-being of our fellow human beings
Distributive justice
What society owes to its individual members for the common good, such as the right to basic needs like food, shelter and education.
Contributive justice
What individuals owe to society for the common good (paying taxes)
Commutative justice
Justice that is owed between individuals, such as the exchange of money for property in a business transaction
Natural Moral Law
Law that isn’t written but nevertheless known by everyone that has common sense.
Social gospel
How to treat each other based on the good news preached by Jesus Christ; emphasis on love, justice, forgiveness, and peace
Catholic social teaching
The church’s view on matters of human dignity and common good in society
Common good
The sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily
Original sin
The condition or state of sin into which each human being is born
Personal sin
An offense against reason, truth and right conscience (the natural law); it is a failure in genuine love for god and neighbor.
Sins of commission
Sins that we commit by doing something we shouldn’t do (lying and stealing)
Sins of omission
Sins we commit by not doing something we should do (failing to help another person in need)
Social sin
Sin committed against the dignity, rights and freedoms of every human person (racism, terrorism, and war)
Papal bull
A type of public decree, letters patent, or charter issued by a pope or the Catholic Church.
Venial/moral sin
Venial: wounds our relationship with God (lying, stealing)
Moral: grave offences that destroy our relationship with God (murder, adultery)
Corporal works of mercy
Charitable acts by which we help our neighbours with their material and physical needs
Spiritual works of mercy
Acts of compassion by which we help our neighbours with their emotional and spiritual needs
Sainthood
The state of being a holy person who goes to heaven after death.
