You are on page 1of 14

De La Salle University-Dasmarias

College of Education
Religious Education Department
Living Out Our Christian Commitment

Total Examination Reviewer Midterms

Name: Course, Year and Section: HUB22/HUB21/HUB23

The following notes and discussions are based on Mr. Alvin Podiotans lecture and notes: 1. Where am I 2. Where am I going 3. What are my Guideposts to know where I am going

Where am I? Sources defining the morality of Human Acts 1. Object 2. Circumstances 3. Intention Norms that Measure the Morality of Human Acts 1. Moral Law-objective norm 2. Ones Conscience- subjective norm *Human acts are morally good if they are in agreement with these two norms* OBJECT ITSELF-finis operis ; effect which an action primarily and directly causes. It is considered to be the primary source of the morality of human acts. It can be good, evil, or indifferent. It is said to be the subject matter of a human act. CIRCUMSTANCES-conditions outside the act. It affects the act by increasing and lessening its voluntariness of freedom and thus, affecting the morality of the act. Kinds of Circumstances 1. Circumstance of Person-refers to the circumstances regarding the doer or the receiver of the action. *A good act can become better, or a bad act can become worse by reason of the doer.* *A good act can become better or a bad act can become worse by reason of person whom the act is done.* 2. Circumstance of the place- refers to space or locality in which the action has been done. 3. Circumstance of time- refers to the moment or time in which the action has been done. 4. Circumstance of manner- refers to the agents way of doing the human act. 5. Condition of agent- in what condition was the agent in when he/she performed the act. 6. Circumstance of thing itself- refers to the special quality of an object. 7. The means- by what means and by whose help INTENTION- end or intention of the agent. It is the goal which the agent wants to achieve 6 Principles of Intention 1. good act + good end = doubly good act/effect 2. bad act + bad end = doubly bad act/effect 3. good act + bad end = bad act/effect 4. bad act + good end = does not become good act/effect 5. indifferent act + good end = good act/effect

6. indifferent act + bad end = bad act/effect 5 Principles for Judging 1. An act is morally good if the act itself, the purpose, and the circumstances are substantially good. 2. If the act itself is intrinsically evil, it is not morally allowable regardless of the intention 3. If the act itself is good or indifferent, morality will be judged by purpose or circumstances. 4. Circumstances may create, mitigate, or aggravate sin. 5. If all three determinant5s of the morality of human acts are good, therefore, the act is good. If only one is evil, the act is evil. Modifiers of Human Acts- they affect the three constituents of voluntary human acts. They may diminish ones culpability. They are considered to be obstacles that affect the voluntariness of human acts. 1. Ignorance- this refers to the lack or absence of knowledge of a person capable of knowing certain thing or things. Different Types of Ignorance 1. Invincible ignorance- cannot be cleared up 2. Vincible Ignorance- ignorance which can and should be dispelled. Simple Vincible Ignorance- some but not enough diligence to clear up ignorance Crass of Supine- case has been left wholly undisturbed Affected Vincible- avoid any obligation that knowledge might brought to light Ignorance of the Law- lack of knowledge that a particular law exists Ignorance of Fact- lack of realization that one is violating a law *Invincible Ignorance eliminates responsibility or culpability *Vincible Ignorance does not eliminate moral responsibility but instead lessens it. *When we speak of ignorance we normally talk about vincible ignorance *Ignorance of the law excuses no one 2. Fear- mental agitation or disturbances brought about by apprehension of some eminent danger. 1. Grave fear- aroused by presence of danger; serious danger, judged to be serious by one concerned. 2. Slight Fear- it is caused by: not serious danger, grave danger not probable to happen 3. Concupiscence/Passion- movement of the sensitive appetite. It is the tendency to possess something that is good or avoiding something that is evil. Examples of Passions: Love, Hatred, Joy, Grief, Hope, Courage, Fear, and Anger

St. Thomas Aquinas- he said that passions themselves are indifferent (not evil themselves) Passions toward Good- Virtue Karl Peschke- according to him, whole process of moral education both in early and later years, to a large extent of a process gaining command over all the movements of the passions 2 Types of Passion 1. Antecedent- spontaneous passion 2. Consequent- deliberately aroused by will 4. Violence external force applied by someone. 2 Types of Violence 1. Perfect Violence- complete resistance is given/shown. 2. Imperfect Violence- some resistance is given/shown. Principles Regarding the Effects of Violence 1. If there is perfect violence, the evil act to which one is forced is no wise culpable. 2. Of there is imperfect violence, the culpability is lessened but not taken away 3. If one sees that any resistance would be wholly ineffective, there is no obligation to resist. 5. Habits- inclination to do some action. It is acquired by repetition. It is considered to be our second nature. 1. habit to evil- vice 2. habit to good- virtue *Evil habits do not lessen the imputability of evil actions if habit is identified to be bad and is permitted to be done. *Evil habit lessens imputability if one is sincerely trying to correct the habit. Where am I going? Life is a manner of taking a course of action 3 Reasons why People dont want to talk about sin 1. Sin is too personal 2. Legalistic distinction presented about sin 3. Humans are fundamentally incapable of failure. Sin- offense against reason, truth, and right conscience. It wounds the nature of human persons and injures human solidarity. It is an offense against God. It is more than evil. It is evil intentionally committed by man.

Concept of Sin in The Scriptures Concept of Sin Old Testament LAW Disobedience against the Decalogue of God According to the book of Genesis: Breaking of personal relationship with God Sin brings with it the wrath of God One sin begets another sin New Testament LOVE Sin is ungrateful desertion of God. Sin is the antithesis of charity and an offense against of Love. Sinner lives in enmity w/ God. Sin is a desecration of a Persons own body because his/her body is the temple of the Holy spirit. Sin is whatever that goes against the call of God Lack of belief is the most radical type of sin

Sin ultimately leads to death Three Notions of Sin (Catechism for Filipino Catholics) 1. Missing the mark 2. Depravity and perversity weighs the sinner down 3. Rebellion and transgression picture sin as conscious choice which destroys positive relationships Main conceptions of Sin 1. Sin is a defilement or stain in our life 2. Sin is seen more as a crime 3. Sin is a personal rejection of a love relationship Sin is a negative response to God Sin disassembles the people of God

Sin introduces a division within oneself: The bad I do not want is the thing that I do while the Good that I want is the thing that I fail to accomplish

Sin hurts the whole body of believers

Social Aspect of Sin Sin is purely an individual affair but Christianity strongly affirms that Sin has social dimensions Social Sin-stresses the complicity in evil by showing how members are mutually involved 1. 2. 3. 4. Sin affects others by reason of human solidarity Sins that directly attack human rights Sins affecting the relationships between human communities Sinful structures showing the consequences of sinful choices

How do we have sins in Social Aspect

1. 2. 3. 4.

Participating directly and voluntarily in them Ordering, advising, praising, or approving them not hindering them in doing sin Protecting evildoers

Two Factors of Sin 1. Pride- refusing to be subject to God and not desiring ones own perfection 2. Sensuality- not trying to permeate ones body by the spirit. Structures of Sin- expression and effect of personal sins Proliferation of Sin- engenders vice by repetition of some acts. Sin can reproduce itself but it cannot destroy the moral sense at its root. Capital Sins- engender other sins and vices Pride Anger Lust Envy Gluttony Avarice Sloth Works of the Flesh- contradicts the fruit of spirit Church teachings on Sin Sin has different dimensions-spiral, sickness, addiction 1. Spiral-enslaves us in a contagious pathological habit of vice that acts like a virus 2. Sickness- sin can also be described as this (old testament stories attribute sickness to sin) 3. Addiction- process over which we become powerless as it becomes progressively more compulsive and obsessive. Distinction of Sin Mortal Sin- may be described as the outcome of a deliberate reversal of our option to be for God and for others. It is the full commitment to an option which contradicts Gods will and a persons authentic goal. 1. There is a full knowledge or awareness of the wrong choice 2. The gravity or seriousness of the object of the act is a significant matter 3. There is full deliberate consent of the free will Venial Sin- does not constitute direct, complete refusal to Gods will. It is only a negligent, deficient compliance to Gods will. Wrong option aggravated by lack of clear insight.

Criteria for Judging the Gravity of Sin 1. Internal Criteria- the criteria taken from nature and effects of a wrong option. 2. External Criteria- criteria taken from the authority of the Holy Bible Conversion and Reconciliation Metanoia- change of heart The teachings of Jesus Christ star from an urgent call to conversion. It is both personal and communitarian in nature. Conversion: An On-going process Conversion invites all especially those who live far from God and are caught in the alienation of mortal sin. Conditions for Conversion 1. Humble admission of sin and guilt 2. Readiness for the efforts of more renewal 3. Openness for the gift of grace 4. The sacramental enactment and realization of conversion Repentance in the Old Testament Repentance in the old testament implies a change of heart, thus, conversion. Conversion therefore not only implies turning totally away from ones sin. It is also turning towards God (repentance) and atoning for ones sin (reparation) Reconciliation- is an expression of the new situation that has been brought about by the death and resurrection of Christ. It is to end the relationship of enmity and begin a relationship of peace and good will. Role of Church in Reconciliation Church is a kind of Sacrament or sign of intimate union with God and of the unity of all mankind. She is also an instrument for the achievement of such union and unity. Mercy and Sin The Gospel is the revelation in Jesus Christ of Gods mercy to sinners. Eucharist- the sacrament of redemption What are my Guideposts to know where I am Going? The Notion of Law A person is obliged o follow the moral end that the creator has prepared for him/her to accomplish. When an individual looks forward that goal, there us an order that he/she has

to follow. This order is known as the moral order which comes to him/her through the moral law. When God chose the Israelites as his people, he has given them a set of rules/commandments to follow. When they obeyed it, they live abundantly. But, whenever they travel the road of life away from Gods laws, they become miserable. Law is defined by St. Thomas Aquinas as an ordinance of reason for the common good promulgated by the person who takes charge of the community. Ordinance of reason suggests that the means of the law must be based on the insight of reason into value. A law must be reasonable because it serves as a guide to promote what is right. Each law has a purpose. Common good suggests that the goal of the law must be for the good of the community. The phrase by the person who takes charge of community suggests that the law is carried out by people in community. Lastly, promulgated means that the law is made known through publication. Kinds of Laws 1. Natural Law 2. Divine Law 3. Moral Law as revealed Law 4. Human Law-civil law and ecclesiastical law Natural Law -refers to moral insights that people are capable of knowing because of their reason The word natural means 1. not supernatural 2. not positive 3. found in and derived from the nature of a person -natural law deals with the question of natural ethics as a whole Concept of Natural Law Natural law is the law of human conduct which arises from the human nature as ordered to its ultimate end. Natural Law is that law of human conduct which arises from the full reality of human nature as ordered to its ultimate end and which is recognized by means of reason independent of positive Christian revelation. Natural Law has three essential characteristics 1. Natural Law is Universal (Universality) 2. Natural Law is one and the same for all (Unity and Invariability) 3. Natural Law is Immutable no change in whatever is good and is evil Divine Law

God is the author of the laws that govern the universe. He designed all the laws of the universe in his own infinite mind. The Divine law which is the eternal is deduced from the fact that the world is ruled by one divine providence. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, eternal law is the plan flowing in Gods wisdom which directs all actions and movements. According to St. Augustine, the eternal law is defined as Gods will for the preservation and non-disturbance of the natural law. All laws that govern the universe are independent of Humanity. They are unaffected by human thoughts for they are true, even if people do not agree or study them. They are not debatable issues. People discover the divine law in: 1. 2. 3. 4. Physical Laws Biological Laws Mathematical Laws Natural Law

By learning these laws and following them. We gain freedom. Freedom is always tied up with obedience to God. Each new law learned increases our freedom. We cannot break the laws but if we ignore them, they can break us. Moral Law -governs mans/womans behavior. It contains truths and ethical principles which guide peoples conduct on matters of right and wrong. It tells one how to act in relation to God and other individuals. -all civil laws which are in accord with the natural moral law must be obeyed to ensure order and justice in the society. -Karl peschke defines moral law in its most Universal meaning as a directive ordering a persons activity towards the ultimate end. -Every genuine moral law must be good and holy. Mans/Womans Natural Inclination to Goodness -Every human being is born with the natural inclination to do good and avoid evil and a capacity to distinguish right from wrong. There is a need to 1. develop and enlighten the intellect to know universal truths.

2. cultivate and motivate the will to aim always for the highest good which is God. Moral Law as Revealed Law The old law is stage of the revealed law. Its moral precepts are summed up in the Ten Commandments. The Decalogue is a light offered to the conscience to make gods call and ways known to all and to protect them against evil. The new Law or the law of the gospel is the perfection here on earth of the divine law-natural and revealed. It is the grace of the Holy Spirit given to the faithful through faith in Christ. Law in Sacred Scriptures 1. Law in the Old Testament Torah-collection of laws. It is contained in the Pentateuch. According to the Talmud, the Torah contains 613 precepts and prohibitions which are religious, social and moral in nature. Franz Bockle-argues that the original ethos of Israel is rooted in the tribe, the clan, and the family. Torah is not merely a collection of legal statements but is complemented by moral principles which educate in the spirit of justice and responsibility before God. Law in the New Testament -Jesus was not preoccupied with legalistic pedantries concerning rituals, religious laws, and traditions of the elders. His concern is the obedience of people to God. The New law is primarily an internal law. The main stress is ones internal responsibility before God and the law of the spirit. Law in the O.T. is an external written code while the law of Christ is a law of the spirit. The new testament repeatedly and most earnestly warns Christians to flee from sin and the works of the flesh but instead walk by the spirit and bear the fruits of virtue, goodness and holiness. Teachings of Jesus Christ You shall love the lord your God with your whole heart with your whole soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. The second is similar to it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments the whole law is based and the prophets as well. Beatitudes Beautiful attitudes

-are promised by the lord to his faithful disciples in the Sermon on the Mount are rooted in the new commandment that Jesus gave to humanity-to love as he loves. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see god. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God Blessed are those are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Germain Grisez modes of Christian response 1. To expect and accept all Good including the good fruits of ones work, as Gods gift 2. To accept ones limited role in the body of Christ and fulfill it 3. To put aside or avoid everything which is not necessary or useful in the fulfillment of ones personal vocation 4. To endure fearlessly whatever is necessary or useful for the fulfillment of ones personal vocation. 5. To be merciful according to the universal and perfect measure of mercy which God has revealed in Jesus 6. To strive to conform ones whole self to living faith, and purge anything which does not meet this standard 7. To respond to evil with good, not with resistance, much less with destructive action. 8. To do no evil that good might come of it, but suffer evil together with Jesus in cooperation with Gods redemptive love Human law Deals with the juridical order of society. Be it of the state or of the church. -it is a directive of obligatory, general, and stable character for the common good promulgated by one who is in charge of a sovereign society. Precepts, statues, and orders differ from human laws insofar as the former are limited to smaller groups often to individuals only. Features of Human Law 1. Human law is enforceable 2. Human law is concerned with external conduct only 3. Human laws is limited to particular groups of people 4. Human law is historically conditioned 5. Human Law has presumptive obligatory force.

Civil Law -is the particular application of natural law in given societies. Church Law -particular application of divine law to the Christian community. Necessity of Human Law 1. Revealed law does not provide exact rules for every moral problem 2. Frequently, natural moral law is not so evident in its particular requirements. 3. Ofetn, there are several possible ways to comply with an obligation. But for the sake of the public order, one must impose as binding for all, for example, traffic rules and the rules of public worship 4. Human law with its penal regulation is an indispensable means of education for people. Conscience -considers all available data when confronted with a decision Concept of Conscience -must be properly formed because it is the final, subjective norm of moral action by which individuals are guided to come up with decision. It does not guarantee correctness of the decision or judgment. It only allows us to be true to ourselves Categories of Conscience 1. True Conscience- the act is lawful. Conforms to what is objectively right 2. False or erroneous Conscience- when it decides from false principles considered as true that something is unlawful Scrupulous conscience Perplexed conscience Lax conscience Pharisaical conscience 3. Certain conscience- without fear or error, it decides that an act is lawful 4. Doubtful conscience- when it falls to pass a moral judgment in the character of the act due to a fear or error. -Conscience makes people become aware of themselves as subjects relating to other subjects. Moral Principles 1. Principle of Double Effect - used in the analysis of moral aspect of controversial human acts. Commonly called upon to evaluate medico moral problems. Four Conditions of the Principle of Double Effect

1. Action itself must be morally Good or at least indifferent 2. The Good effect must precede the evil effect or at least be simultaneous with it. 3. The intention of the agent should always be directed towards the good effect and not to the evil one 4. Proportionality Principle of Totality The whole is more important than the sum of the parts Principle of Epikeia -interpretation of the human law not according to its letter but according to its spirit for the border cases which have not sufficiently been taken into consideration by positive law. It is a restrictive interpretation of the law by private authority excusing one from the observance of the law in some particularly difficult cases in accordance with the genuine meaning of Legislation. 1. 2. 3. 4. Epikeia only applies to positive laws Hardships must be great Consultation must be done Recourse to a superior is required in doubtful cases, unless none is terribly difficult to approach. 5. Epikeia cannot be applied to laws that void acts. Some Moral Maxims 1. Right reason is indeed a true law, in accord with nature, diffuse among all men, unchangeable, eternal 2. There are the eternal, immutable laws of good and evil to which the creator himself in all his dispensations, conforms; and which he has enabled human nature to discover, so farm as they are necessary for the conduct of human actions 3. When in the course of humane events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them to another and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which nature and Natures God entitles them.. 4. One who acts through an agent is himself/herself responsible 5. No one is obliged to betray himself/herself 6. In doubt, one may do what is generally done 7. An object cries out for its owner 8. No one can give what he/she does not have 9. The end does not justify the means 10. No one is a judge to his/her own case 11. Accessories belong to the principal object 12. If one is willing to cooperate in an act, no injustice is done 13. Laws imposing an obligation may be given as narrow an interpretation as possible.

You might also like