SOURCES OF MORALITY Flashcards
The determinants of the human acts in connection with their moral character
MORALITY
3 SOURCES OF MORALITY
Object
Circumstances
End / Motive
2 types of acts
Object of the will
Intrinsically Evil Act
suited to man’s nature
and can perfect it
Intrinsically Good Act
not suited to man’s
nature and cannot
perfect it
Intrinsically Evil Act
Acts considered in the abstract can be morally indifferent; but concretely they cannot be
indifferent
who said that “Acts considered in the abstract can be morally indifferent; but concretely they cannot be indifferent”
St. Thomas
Conditions or accidental elements in which the act is done affecting its morality
CIRCUMSTANCES
7 kinds of circumstances
Person
Quantity or Quality of the Act
Place
Means or Instrument
Manner
it is the doer or receiver of circumstances
Person
– the extent of the act
Quantity or Quality of the Act
the venue of a circumstance
Place
the means employed of a circumstance
Means or Instrument
is the condition in which the act is done of a circumstance
Manner
the time and duration of a circumstance
Time
the intention of the agent of a circumstance
Motive of the Agent
The end or purpose or intention of the act
THE MOTIVE
“That towards which a thing tends”
THE MOTIVE
meaning of “BONUM EX
INTEGRA CAUSA;
MALUM EX
QUOCUMQUE
DEFECTU”
“The good results from whole
perfection; the evil from any
defect.”
The norm or the measure of
human acts as good or evil
RULE OF MORALITY
2 RULE OF MORALITY
Supreme
Proximate
the first exemplar
cause
Supreme
2 types of Supreme
(Eternal Law/ Natural Law)
acts that are
immediately regulated
Proximate
2 types of Proximate
(Right Reason / Conscience)
Subordinate to the supreme rule
Proximate
An ordinance of reason promulgated by a competent authority for the common good
LAW
3 Kinds of Law
Eternal Law
Natural Law
Positive Law
refers to the
divine wisdom that
governs the universe.
Eternal law
is the part of
eternal law that applies to
human beings.
Natural law
It is the moral order that can be discovered through reason and is based on human nature.
Natural law
refers to human-made laws enacted by legitimate authorities, such as governments and institutions.
Positive law
These laws are meant to regulate
society and ensure order.
Positive law
is God’s divine order
that governs everything
Eternal law
is the part of eternal law accessible through reason and guides human morality.
Natural law
is man-made law that
should align with natural law to
be just.
Positive law
what does “cum alio scientia” mean
“knowledge within oneself”
The practical judgment of reason which regulates human acts in their concrete individuality
CONSCIENCE
3 KINDS OF CONSCIENCE
In relation to time
In relation to its object
In relation to its assent
2 KINDS OF CONSCIENCE
In relation to time
Antecedent
Consequent
is the
conscience that comes
before an action is
performed.
Antecedent
is the
conscience that comes
after an action has already
been performed
Consequent
2 KINDS OF CONSCIENCE
In relation to its object
True / Correct
Erroneous
declares
what is truly good and truly
evil
True / Correct
declares
what is truly good and truly
evil
True / Correct
declares good
what is truly evil or vice
versa
Erroneous
4 KINDS OF CONSCIENCE
In relation to its assent
Certain
Doubtful
Lax
Scrupulous
refers to subjective assurance
Certain
refers to no subjective
assurance
Doubtful
refers to perceives morally evil as
allowable
Lax
refers to a conscience that’s extremely rigorous
Scrupulous
who said
“Every conscience, whether right or erroneous, whether with regard to acts which are evil in themselves or acts which are indifferent, is obligatory, so that he who acts in opposition to his conscience, does wrong.”
St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa
When the question pertains to theavoidance of some evil, follow the safer opinion.
MORAL PRINCIPLES
