Chapter 10: Respect for Justice and Truth

Philosophical Debate: Consequentialist Morality: Locates morality in the state of the world that results from a given action Utilitarianism: ‘the greatest good for the greatest number’ Rawls: – Original position, Veil of Ignorance – The Difference Principle -> a system which both allows the gifted to exercise their talents and also works to the benefit of the least well-off Other Major Philosophers: – Jeremy Bentham, JS Mill Categorical Morality: Locates morality in the intrinsic value of the action itself Libertarianism: ‘live and let live’ Immanuel Kant: – Duty vs. Inclination Man on a Skateboard – Lying: Shopkeeper example

Understanding Justice 7 th Commandment Respect the property of our neighbors 10th Commandment Refrain from coveting the goods of others 8th Commandment Be upfront and truthful with others

Understanding Justice Commutative Justice Individual Distributive Justice government authorities Individual Individuals social whole Legal JusticeSocial Justice Gospel of Jesus Christ structures of society Regulates relationships and exchange Seeks fair distribution of the goods of creation that God intends for us all to use and share Governs what individuals owe society as a whole Applies the gospel message of Jesus to the structures, systems, and laws of society in order to protect the dignity of persons and guarantee the rights of individuals

Social Justice Doctrine of the Church Key Themes: 1.Profit cannot be the only norm and sole goal of economic activity. 2.The economy exists to serve the people; people do not exist to serve the economy. 3.Richer nations must work hard for international solidarity. 4.We must imitate Jesus by having special love for the poor.

Seventh Commandment You shall not steal. This commandment outlaws theft, that is, taking someone else’s property against his or her will. Seventh Commandment calls for respect for the property rights of others.

Seventh Commandment You shall not steal. This commandment also requires us to respect the beautiful creation God gave us for the use of all humans – past, present, and future. Seventh commandment outlaws anything that leads to the enslavement of people.

Tenth Commandment You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods. This commandment deals with the inner desires, the “lust of the eyes” which is at the root of theft, robbery, fraud, etc.

Tenth Commandment You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods. The Tenth Commandment outlaws: Greed - desire to accumulate unlimited goods Avarice - the passionate desire for riches and the power that comes with them Envy - sadness over another person’s possessions and the desire to get them for oneself.

Eighth Commandment You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Keep any promises you make, and be faithful to the truth. This commandment rejects the vices of: Duplicity – being deceptive or misleading Dissimulation – hiding something by pretense Hypocrisy – the false claim or pretense of having admirable principles, beliefs, or feelings

Violations Against the Eighth Commandment Eighth Commandment Violations False witness and perjury Perjury – false witness under oath Failing to respect the reputation of others Rash judgment – assumes without adequate evidence a moral fault in another person Detraction – Revealing a person’s fault and failing to someone who did not previously know about them and who had no need or right to know about them Calumny – Lying about others so people will make false judgments about them Encouraging others to do evil Flattery – paying someone a compliment to gain a favor Adulation – giving excessive admiration to someone Complaisance – pleasing others so they can carry out your wishes Boasting and Bragging IronyLying

Violations Against the Eighth Commandment Seriousness of a lie: 1.The nature of the truth that is distorted 2.The circumstances 3.The intentions of the one who lies 4.The harm suffered by the victims of the lie

An Honest Society Individuals must listen to the truth, speak the truth, and live the truth. Citizens have the right to information based on the truth, freedom, and the virtues of justice and solidarity.

An Honest Society The media have a serious duty to communicate information honestly. Government officials have a serious obligation to defend and safeguard the just and free flow of information, to enact laws that protect citizens’ rights to a good name and privacy, and that public morality is not assaulted by pornography, propaganda, and other serious misuses of the media. A society can do much to promote truth by encouraging people to express themselves in fine art.

Vocabulary Commutative justice Distributive justice Legal justice Social justice Duplicity Dissimulation Hypocrisy Perjury Detraction Calumny Complaisance