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 [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: Morality: Action Action Decision making Decision making Moral law: Moral law: “Fatherly instruction of God, setting forth the ways which lead to happiness and proscribing those which lead to evil” [CCC] “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) 1. Natural- (Universal Truth) Ten Commandments Ten Commandments “necessary foundation for the erection of moral rules & civil law” (Catechism, #1919) “necessary foundation for the erection of moral rules & civil law” (Catechism, #1919) 2. Divine or Revealed 2. Divine or Revealed Beatitudes, Golden Rule, can also be 10 Commandments Beatitudes, Golden Rule, can also be 10 Commandments Canon (Church) Canon (Church) Civil 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 : Traditional means to determine if an act is moral or immoral- we will develop further in Ch. 7 : 1. Object chosen 1. Object chosen 2. Intention of the action 2. Intention of the action 3. Circumstances surrounding the act 3. Circumstances surrounding the act

FREEDOM Power Power Rooted in reason [thought] and will [action] Rooted in reason [thought] and will [action] To act or not to act To act or not to act To perform deliberate actions on one’s own responsibility To perform deliberate actions on one’s own responsibility What is the natural right of every human? What is the natural right of every human? To be recognized (consciousness/aware) as a free & responsible being (relationships) [CCC 1738] To be recognized (consciousness/aware) as a free & responsible being (relationships) [CCC 1738]

Christian Freedom Christian freedom means we can see the big picture 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 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 Freedom with unlimited choice without regard to others is not freedom…it is LICENSE Examples Examples

Freedom: Is it my choice? Am I acting reasonably and responsibly? Freedom: Is it my choice? Am I acting reasonably and responsibly? If so, my action is the exercise of freedom. 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 Morality is lessened if our free will is threatened or reduced through no fault of our own Ignorance Ignorance Fear/Duress Fear/Duress Psychological or Social Factors 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 Nonmoral Neutral; neither harms nor hurts (walking down the street) Neutral; neither harms nor hurts (walking down the street) Immoral Immoral Negative; harmful and destructive; know it’s wrong but does it anyway; may have no remorse (walking & throwing stones at others) Negative; harmful and destructive; know it’s wrong but does it anyway; may have no remorse (walking & throwing stones at others) Amoral 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) 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 Moral Positive; promotes human welfare (Walking for Cancer) Positive; promotes human welfare (Walking for Cancer)

Sources of Catholic Moral Teaching Documents of Vatican II Documents of Vatican II Catechism Catechism Papal Encyclicals Papal Encyclicals Statements of Vatican Commissions Statements of Vatican Commissions Pastoral Letters Pastoral Letters

7 Themes of Catholic Social Teaching 1. Life & Dignity of the Human Person 1. Life & Dignity of the Human Person 2. Call to Family, Community & Participation 2. Call to Family, Community & Participation 3. Rights & Responsibilities 3. Rights & Responsibilities 4. Option for the Poor & Vulnerable 4. Option for the Poor & Vulnerable 5. Dignity of Work & the rights of Workers 5. Dignity of Work & the rights of Workers 6. Solidarity 6. Solidarity 7. Care for God’s Creation 7. Care for God’s Creation Examples of Publications & Documents Publications DocumentsPublications Documents

Catholic Morality The way that we lead our lives in response to God’s law of love in our souls The way that we lead our lives in response to God’s law of love in our souls Three important elements: Three important elements: a. Human Dignity a. Human Dignity b. Grace b. Grace c. Vocation c. Vocation

Grace Definition: Our participation in the life of God Definition: Our participation in the life of God Types Types Sanctifying: God’s freely given gift of his love and constant presence in the soul Sanctifying: God’s freely given gift of his love and constant presence in the soul Actual: Help God gives us for a particular need Actual: Help God gives us for a particular need Cheap: Not appreciating God’s love Cheap: Not appreciating God’s love Costly: Sacrificing out of love Costly: Sacrificing out of love

Vocation: Calling to love and serve God both now and forever “Vocare” [Latin] to call “Vocare” [Latin] to call All have the call to love and to serve God All have the call to love and to serve God Living His truth Living His truth Sharing His goodness Sharing His goodness Helping to fashion the world as God intends Helping to fashion the world as God intends

Moral Decision Making- Two Thoughts “Art of morality”: practical reasoning, thoughtfully determining what is right “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 “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: Critical Thinking: Use thinking/reasoning capacity/open-minded Use thinking/reasoning capacity/open-minded Attentive to world around us Attentive to world around us Thoughtful evaluation of + and – Thoughtful evaluation of + and – Seeking out knowledge/understanding Seeking out knowledge/understanding