1. Natural law Principles guiding R.C. morality
M. Jenny HRE 4M

2. Life is sacred: preserve it Propagation & education of children
The key principles
Do good & avoid evil
Life is sacred: preserve it
Propagation & education of children
Pursuit of truth  peaceful society
Introductory notes.

3. Principles that follow
Respect for human life & dignity
Human life begins at conception
Not just a potential human being
Embryo: known & loved by God
Killing an embryo for scientific research is unacceptable
A child is a gift
Not a possession, object / thing
All human life is sacred from conception to natural death.

4. The integrity of procreation is to be respected
R.C. tradition honours the act of human procreation
In vitro fertilization is unacceptable
Separates procreation from physically intimate expression between spouses
Can lead to destruction of embryos not used in treatment

5. Concern for the most vulnerable
“preferential option for the poor”
The weak need special protection
Church seeks to be the voice of all vulnerable human life

6. Common Good
Social conditions allowing people (groups or individuals) to reach fulfillment more fully & easily
We’re created as individuals within families
Part of society
Social beings

7. Human life is relational
We are stewards
Even of our own lives
Life is a gift received from others
We’re called to preserve it
We are part of a web of human relationships

8. We are mutually responsible for life
INTERdependent
Life is dependent on the support of others
“We are in this together!”
Suicide is painful for survivors

9. Care for others: compassion NOT pity
Suffering & pain
Challenge us at our core  weakness & vulnerability
Suffering is not sought as a good, we seek ways to reduce it
Compassion: we enter into the other’s suffering
Pity: sufferer is left alone

10. What about the terminally ill?
RC teaching supports palliative care, medicating to ease pain
Even if medication may hasten death
CCC 2276
Those whose lives are diminished deserve special respect
CCC 2277
Direct euthanasia is unacceptable
Regardless of motives & means

11. Stewardship of own life: it’s sacred & deserves respect!
CCC 2280
Everyone is responsible for one’s life
God is Master of life
We’re stewards, not owners of the life we’ve received
CCC 2282
Voluntary co-operation in suicide contrary to moral law

12. Recall: the ends & means?
We cannot do something evil to obtain a good end.
The end DOES NOT justify the means!

13. Principle of Double Effect
Sometimes neutral actions have both good and bad effects
Can we do something knowing that good and bad effects will result?
Yes, if:
Action is good or neutral
Good not obtained by means of evil
Evil effects not intended (allowed)
Good effect must be proportionally greater than the evil effect

14. The Principle of Totality
Parts exists for the good of the whole
We can amputate a limb in order to save a life

15. Ordinary vs. Extraordinary Means
Meds, treatments… with REASONABLE benefit, WITHOUT excessive pain, cost or inconvenience
Extraordinary
No reasonable benefit, not curative, costly, painful, out of proportion

16. Science must be used to benefit people
Science must operate with a conscience
What is technically possible is not for that reason morally admissible.
Not every medical advancement necessarily serves us for the better.
What constitutes a human person is not just a scientific question, but philosophical & moral

17. A unity of body and spirit
The human being
A unity of body and spirit
Interventions on the body affects not only tissues & organs, but the person

18. Looking at Case Studies
Case 1: Assisted Human reproduction
Page 156
Case 2: Euthanasia & Assisted Suicide
Page 157

19. The Prudent Person Prudence: the foremost virtue for Christianity
Prudence part of the search for goodness
Ability to make good choices (almost instinctively)
Harness: instincts, impulses, inclinations
Seeks out right reason
Evaluates motives