THEO IV: Morality and the Law

Question 1

civil government

Answer 1

the proper authority for governing and enforcing laws at the local, municipal, state, or national level

Question 2

civil law

Answer 2

a rule of conduct imposed by civil authority; the body of such rules binding on members under the control of the authority, whether from formal enactment or custom
- consist of laws enacted by civil governments for the common good

Question 3

common good

Answer 3

the total of social conditions that will allow both individuals and groups to reach their human and spiritual fulfillment more easily

Question 4

divine law

Answer 4

laws explicitly communicated by God, such as the Ten Commandments or the preaching of Jesus

Question 5

ecclesiastical positive law

Answer 5

• the laws that direct and regulate the life and worship of the Church
• the law that governs the Church in the organization of the hierarchy, in liturgical and penitential practices, and in other matters
• faithfully practice the Catholic Faith

Question 6

equality of proportion

Answer 6

principle that the burden of law must be shared by all

Question 7

ecclesiastical government

Answer 7

The Church’s own governing bodies, such as a diocese, national bishop’s conference, or the Holy See

Question 8

eternal law

Answer 8

God’s wisdom as a directive for all acts and movements

Question 9

human law

Answer 9

law promulgated by human authority, either civil or ecclesiastical. In order to be legitimate, human law must be:
- consistent with laws of God
- conform to the natural law
- promote the common good of society

Question 10

law

Answer 10

an ordinance of reason that exists for the common good, having been made by legitimate authority and legislated through an appropriate and recognized process

Question 11

law of grace

Answer 11

the New Law ushered in by Christ

Question 12

laws of nature

Answer 12

Descriptions of the behavior of the material universe

Question 13

legitimate authority

Answer 13

a recognized and official authority in civil or ecclesiastical law

Question 14

positive law

Answer 14

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

Question 15

unjust law

Answer 15

A human law that contradicts or otherwise fails to conform to divine and natural law. Such a law is never binding on a person’s conscience and must be opposed

Question 16

What are the requirements of law?

Answer 16

1. ordinance of reason
2. exist for the common good
3. made by those in legitimate authority
4. legislated in an official manner

Question 17

What are laws the result of?

Answer 17

Laws are the result of reasoned deliberation, not arbitrary initiative by someone in authority

Question 18

What are the 4 reasons as to why laws are necessary?

Answer 18

For:
1. civil harmony
2. common good
3. protection of rights
4. enjoyment of freedom

Question 19

Why do laws exist or are enacted?

Answer 19

Laws exist for the common good. They are enacted to promote the common good by regulating how people interact with each other and their environment

Question 20

Who has the right and obligation to make laws? Who are the only ones who can pass/enforce laws? Where does legitimate authority ultimately come from?

Answer 20

• only those who have justly received the power to govern have the right and obligation to make laws
• according to natural law, only those invested with legitimate authority can pass/enforce laws
• LA ultimately comes from God

Question 21

How must laws be legislated?

Answer 21

• in an official manner so that citizens will not be at the mercy of their rulers

Question 22

What is eternal law?

Answer 22

the plan of divine wisdom as directing all acts and movements

Question 23

Where is every law derived from?

Answer 23

God’s eternal law

Question 24

What is natural law?

Answer 24

the rational creature’s participation in the eternal law or as it applies to human life

Question 25

What is revealed law?

Answer 25

the law as revealed by God; found in the Old Law of the Old Testament and finds its fulfillment in the New Law

Question 25

What is the New Law?

Answer 25

What Jesus teaches and fulfills in the New Testament

Question 26

According to St. Thomas Aquinas, what must a law do to be just or valid?

Answer 26

• reflect some aspect of the natural law articulated by the Ten Commandments

Question 27

What are the 3 conditions for a law to be valid and just?

Answer 27

1. Must promote the common good
2. Must reflect an “equality of proportion”
3. All authority comes from God

Question 28

What 3 essential elements does the common good consists of?

Answer 28

1. respect for/promotion of fundamental rights of a person
2. prosperity or the development of the spiritual and temporal goods of society
3. peace and security of the group and its members

Question 29

What does it mean for a civil law to reflect equality of proportion?

Answer 29

the burden of the law is shared by all members of society, not just some

Question 30

What must civil laws ought to express?

Answer 30

• some facet of the natural law
• every law must transmit what God has eternally established