Ch 1Morality

A Call to Catholic Living

[Y]ou cannot judge the value of an action based on whether or not it brings success. You have to judge the value of an action in relation to the action itself.... I think we may fail in our attempt to do things, yet we may succeed in the correct action when the action is authentically nonviolent, based on understanding, based on love. - Thich Nhat Hanh, Interview by Catherine Ingram, In the Footsteps of Gandhi

Morality

Morality: Action Decision making

Moral law: “Fatherly instruction of God, setting

forth the ways which lead to happiness and proscribing those which lead to evil” [CCC]

Types of Law

1. Natural-(Universal Truth) Ten Commandments

“necessary foundation for the erection of moral rules & civil law” (Catechism, #1919)

2. Divine or Revealed Beatitudes, Golden Rule, can also be 10

Commandments Canon (Church) Civil

Conscience: Interior voice of a human being

within whose heart inner law of God is inscribed [CCC]

Traditional means to determine if an act is moral or immoral-we will develop further in Ch. 7:

1. Object chosen 2. Intention of the action 3. Circumstances surrounding the act

FREEDOM

Power Rooted in reason [thought] and will

[action] To act or not to act To perform deliberate actions on one’s own

responsibility What is the natural right of every

human? To be recognized (consciousness/aware) as a

free & responsible being (relationships) [CCC 1738]

Christian Freedom

Christian freedom means we can see the big picture We grow and express ourselves within

the context of others’ needs as well as our own

Freedom with unlimited choice without regard to others is not freedom…it is LICENSE Examples

Freedom:Is it my choice?Am I acting reasonably and responsibly? If so, my action is

the exercise of freedom.

License: Is it my choice?

Am I acting without concern for reason or responsibility? If so, my action is

the exercise not of freedom, but of license.

Circumstances

Morality is lessened if our free will is threatened or reduced through no fault of our own Ignorance Fear/Duress Psychological or Social Factors

Moral Relativism: One’s individual perception about right and wrong (justifying

your actions)

What are other examples of Relativism?

Moral Distinctions Nonmoral

Neutral; neither harms nor hurts (walking down the street)

Immoral Negative; harmful and destructive; know it’s

wrong but does it anyway; may have no remorse (walking & throwing stones at others)

Amoral No sense of right or wrong; unplanned response;

not knowing what the effects might be and/or not caring (walking, falling, breaking watch & no remorse)

Moral Positive; promotes human welfare (Walking for

Cancer)

Sources of Catholic Moral Teaching

Documents of Vatican II Catechism Papal Encyclicals Statements of Vatican Commissions Pastoral Letters

7 Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

1. Life & Dignity of the Human Person 2. Call to Family, Community &

Participation 3. Rights & Responsibilities 4. Option for the Poor & Vulnerable 5. Dignity of Work & the rights of Workers 6. Solidarity 7. Care for God’s Creation

Examples of Publications & Documents

Catholic Morality

The way that we lead our lives in response to God’s law of love in our souls

Three important elements: a. Human Dignity b. Grace c. Vocation

Grace

Definition: Our participation in the life of God

Types Sanctifying: God’s freely given gift of his

love and constant presence in the soul Actual: Help God gives us for a

particular need Cheap: Not appreciating God’s love Costly: Sacrificing out of love

Vocation: Calling to love and serve God both now and forever

“Vocare” [Latin] to call All have the call to love and to serve God

Living His truth Sharing His goodness Helping to fashion the world as God intends

Moral Decision Making- Two Thoughts

“Art of morality”: practical reasoning, thoughtfully determining what is right

“Science of morality”:; systematic thought and analysis, requiring Critical Thinking-having the ability to see things through and to do what is right Critical Thinking:

Use thinking/reasoning capacity/open-minded Attentive to world around us Thoughtful evaluation of + and – Seeking out knowledge/understanding