Unit 1 Morality Flashcards
definition of morality
the science of what humans ought to do by reason of who they are
what is moral relativism
each culture/group has right to make up their own morality, there is no absolute moral code. laws are necessary to achieve a peaceful society but in personal life if it doesn’t hurt anyone, one can decide what is right for them
problems with moral relativism
-doesn’t correspond w/ reality
-no criteria to judge different morality standards
-people’s decisions/actions DO affect other people
-who decides who creates the laws for a peaceful society?
-principle of non-contradiction: no view of morality is absolute except the view of morality that there are no absolutes
what is Hedonsim
pleasure=greatest good
pain=greatest evil
feeling good is the goal of morality
problems with Hedonism
it’s self-destructive and self-centered. what is good for is not always most fulfilling or is not always good for others
What is utilitarianism
actions are moral when they lead to the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people
problems w/ utilitarianism
majority can be wrong, great happiness for majority can mean great unhappiness for a small number
danger of only valuing those that are useful
what is consequentialism
morality of an action is determined by its consequences
problems w/ consequentialism
can justify bad actions that lead to god results, don’t always know the best consequences. how to weigh “badness” that is justifiable for the resulting “goodness”
bottom level of happiness
physical pleasures
2nd level of happiness
ego gratification
3rd level of happiness
relationships/beyond self
top level of happiness
ultimate perfect happiness
what is physical pleasures
happiness derived from material objects and pleasure they can provide
what is ego gratification
happiness derived from personal achievements
what is relationships/beyond self happiness
happiness derived from doing good for others and making the world a better place
what is the problem with relativism
it says that moral is something relative; subjective and changeable according to beliefs and circumstances, and it isn’t
what is natural law
universal, permant and unchanging, can be discovered through humand reason and corresponds with our desire to preserve life, develop as individuals and communities and share life with others
arguments for existence of natural law
- universal human nature
- humans inherently understand right and wrong
- humans are morally obligated to use their reasoning
- is passed to humans via God
CS Lewis’ arguments for Natural Law
- Selfishness has never been admired
- We must behave in a certain way and expect others to do the same
- People who argue both agree that there is a basline of right vs. wrong
- none of us really live up to it
- we think every culture has drastically different laws (this isn’t true)
definition of virtue
habitual and firm disposition to do the good
what does natural law show about objective/subjective truths in moral standards
You can’t take objective truths and make them subjective
aristotle’s idea of proper functioning
everything has a function, a thing is good to the extent that it fulfills it’s function
eudaimonia
a life well lived
4 cardinal virtues
prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance
cardinal in latin
hinge
what is prudence
applies moral principles to particular situations (intellect)
what is justice
consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor, it promotes equity with regards to persons and the common good
what is fortitude
THE VIRTUE TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT THING!! the firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. it resists temptations to overcome obstacles in the moral life, even fear or death of persecution
what were we created for
to love God and others
how does what we were created for relate to happiness
when we do what God intended for us to do, we will happy for eternity
what does morality teach us to do
honor god and life a life that seeks to please Him and help out others
what is Christian’s telos
a greek word meaning “end” or “purpose”
our telos is for God and heaven
what is Christian’s GPS
reason and revelation
creation story points
-humans created last, we are best thing God created
-God created this world for us
-God gives us free will to give us a chance to love Him
-women are equal in dignity to men
-male and female compliment each other
-we were creatred to be in relationships
results of original sin
suffering is a natural consequence, gives us a distorted image of God, men and women will never have a perfect relationship, we don’t always know what’s best for us
what is eternal law
God’s self revelation (who God is)
natural law 4 basic aspects
- universal (applies to all people in all places)
- permanent (applies to all times)
- unchanging (for all times)
- reasonable (could be discovered through human reason)
what is civil law
-particular application of the natural law for members of a given society
-not always accurate
can one disobey an unjust law
YES
what is revealed law
God’s law
why do we need revealed law
our reason isn’t enough, God gives us revealed law
what is Old law?
10 commandments, meant to guide GOd’s people in how to love him and one another
what is New law?
Beatitudes, fulfill the divine promises by elevating and orienting them toward the kingdom of Heaven
what is the meaning/purpose of the geatitudes
they deal with interior acts of the heart. having pure intentions, sincerity
what is Church law
the full body of established rules governing the Catholic Church
what is the Magisterium
the teaching body of the Church (bishops and pope)
what are the precepts of the Church
“Laws”/”Commandments” of the Church that are considered binding for the faithful. the precepts of the Church are minimal obligations for Catholics in good standing
the 6 precepts
- attend mass on sundays
- confess sins at least once a year
- receive the Eucharist at LEAST during the Easter season
- keep holy days of obligation
- observe prescribed laws of fasting and abstinence
- help provide for material needs of the Church
why should we trust Church law
- deposit of faith: church been around long time and has experience we lack
- papal infallibility: god uses Pope to reveal things to use (without error)
- god’s goodness and love
3 parts of the moral act
object, intention, circumstance
do all the parts have to be good in order for the act to be moral
YES
object part of the moral act
the action being performed
a good object=good object=good object
OR
a bad object=bad=bad
nothing can change if it’s a good or bad action
intention part of the moral act
subjective element, can make an object worse
circumstance part of the moral act
who/where/when/how, all the details ONLY IN YOUR CONTROL, sometimes play no role in the moral act
what is conscience
a sense of what is right/wrong in one’s conduct or motives. it is a feeling of obligation to do the right thing
christians are called to judge ________ but can never judge ________
christians are called to judge ACTIONS but can never judge SOULS
