Unit 3 What do we choose, what is our responsibility, and what are the outcomes?

Three Sources of Morality The moral object (what we do) The intention (our motive) The circumstances (context and consequences) All three must be good for a proposed action to be good Some moral objects (like murder and adultery) are always evil and can never be justified. A good intention can never justify an evil act

Virtue

Virtue The habit of doing good Actions and attitudes that strengthen our relationships with God, self, others, and nature The cardinal and theological virtues are the root of all other virtues

Cardinal Virtues Practical, common-sense skills that are at the center of a moral life In Latin, “cardo” means hinge

Cardinal Virtues Prudence/wisdom: spiritual common-sense that tells us how we should act According to Thomas Asquinas, it is “right reason in action”. Justice: respecting the rights of God and other people Treating others with fairness

Cardinal Virtues Fortitude: spiritual strength to do right, even when tempted or afraid Temperance: helps control our appetites, especially in the areas of food, drink, sex, and possessions self-control

Theological Virtues These three virtues are rooted in God and help us to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity. In Greek, “theos” means God

Theological Virtues Faith: the ability to trust in God’s power to bestow new life asks you to respond courageously during hard times Hope: the ability to envision the world differently and take steps to bring that vision about future oriented

Theological Virtues Charity (love): the ability to work for the good of another taking time to understand and respond to the needs of those around you (agape)

Virtues personified activities

Prudence “Prudence” is shown with a creature that resembles a snake, but it is actually a fish called remora. This fish was known for attaching to the bottom of ships, thus slowing the ship’s progress. This reflects “Prudence,” because prudence requires careful thought and NOT hasty action. 2. “Prudence” is also shown looking at herself in a mirror. This is a symbol of the famous quote “Know thyself.” In order to be prudent in one’s actions, an individual must have knowledge of their own strengths and weaknesses.

Justice “Justice” is shown to be blindfolded, Supposed to be “blind” or not subject to outside influences. Justice is typically shown holding a scale. Supposed to be impartial, weighing each case individually. Finally, “Justice” is shown carrying a sword, Representing the power held by those making a just decision.

Fortitude Commonly, shown in armor. This represents her courage and stamina- both necessary to ‘stay the course.’ She is carrying a club. This suggests her strength in resisting temptation. Though not evident in this image, she is commonly shown subduing a lion A suggestion of STRENGTH and WILLPOWER.

Temperance Holding a horse’s bridle in one hand. The bridle is a universal symbol of temperance, because its role is to control the movements of a horse. Holding a clock stay. Used to control the movement of a wound clock- forcing it to be consistent. Behind Temperance is an elephant. The elephant was considered to be a temperate animal, because it restricts itself to eating a certain amount everyday.

Sin

Original Sin It is NOT a black mark on our souls or a sin committed at birth God created us good

Original Sin It is the imperfect, weak human nature that each person inherits from the human race Baptism brings us into a faith community that helps us deal with our weak human nature

“Sin of Commission” vs “Sin of Omission”? Sin of commission: an act that is committed Someone does something Sin of omission: a person failing to act

Personal vs Social Sin? Personal sin: an individual attitude or act that hurts a person’s relationship with God, others, self, or nature Social sin: involves community practices, policies, or institutions that hurt a person’s relationship with God, others, self, or nature

Mortal vs Venial Sin? Venial sin: hurts but does not completely reject a person’s relationship with God, others, self, or nature Mortal sin: kills a person’s relationship with God, others, self, or nature

The Catholic Church teaches 3 requirements for a mortal sin The act must be a serious matter Must know what we are doing is wrong Must fully consent to what we are doing

Seven Capital Sins (“The Seven Deadly Sins”) Pride (excessive self worth) Anger Greed Gluttony (habit of eating too much) Lust (self-indulgent sexual desire) Envy (intensely desire) Sloth (laziness)

Sin Scenes Activity

Responsibility

Responsibility People can be responsible to varying degrees There are 5 levels of responsibility

The 5 Levels Accident There is no responsibility A person is incapable of knowing, or not reasonably expected to know that harm could result from the action No harm is intended

The 5 Levels Careless negligence There is some responsibility A person doesn’t show a reasonable amount of care but doesn’t intend to harm anyone A person could and should have known what might happen

The 5 Levels Gross negligence There is some responsibility A person shows no amount of care and has no concern for the consequences of her actions, but she still doesn’t intend to harm anyone A person could and should have known what might happen

The 5 Levels Deliberate Indirect Intention There is almost full responsibility A person intends harm but circumstances lead to a greater harm than intended

The 5 Levels Deliberate Direct Intention There is full responsibility A person plans and calculates for the harm to happen

Responsibility Group Skits

Fundamental Option

Fundamental Option A basic direction we choose in life that orients us either toward or away from God We choose love or selfishness

Fundamental Option Inspires all other choices we make It is: Formed gradually Freely chosen Indicated by actions Not easily reversed “yes” or “no” to life

Natural Law God’s plan for human living that is written in the very way God created things. Binding on all people at all times It is the light of understanding that God puts in us so we can discover what is true and what is evil.

Article and Questions Guilt and Forgiveness

What are some dangers of MySpace and other forms of online communication? Ethics and Technology

Safety Concerns about the use of MySpace and others like it Online predators could abduct or abuse them A 2000 study showed that 1 in 5 minors received a sexual solicitation online and less than 25% told their parents about it. People write more freely than they speak and may post thoughts that are inappropriate Exposed to sexually explicit material posted by other people

Safety Concerns about the use of MySpace and others like it Meeting or dating someone that you have met exclusively from cyber information Identity theft Universities and employers have used postings when considering potential candidates

Safe Place for the computer world If you ever experience a problem with harassing, violent, threatening communication online and do not want to tell an adult you know, go to www.cybertipline.com

Cyberbullying Sending or posting harmful or cruel text or images using the Internet or other digital communication devices like text messaging

Forms of Cyberbullying Sending cruel, embarrassing or threatening messages Creating web sites that ridicule or threaten others Breaking into email accounts and sending cruel, threatening, or embarrassing material to others Forwarding sensitive personal information about a person Taking a photo without permission and posting it

I-Safe DVD on Copyright What is intellectual property? Products of the creative mind What is intellectual property theft? Illegally downloading material that has been copyrighted What is plagiarism? Using someone else’s work that is not copyrighted Why is intellectual property theft/plagiarism wrong?