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What concept does Aquinas claim is the innate ability of reason to discover foundational principles of moral law?
What concept does Aquinas claim is the innate ability of reason to discover foundational principles of moral law?
According to Aquinas, the good is what all things seek as their end or goal.
According to Aquinas, the good is what all things seek as their end or goal.
True
What are the primary precepts in Aquinas' Natural Law?
What are the primary precepts in Aquinas' Natural Law?
Worship God, live in an orderly society, reproduce, educate, protect and preserve human life, and defend the innocent.
The process of applying primary precepts to specific situations is called _____
The process of applying primary precepts to specific situations is called _____
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Match the following terms with their correct descriptions:
Match the following terms with their correct descriptions:
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Which of the following is an example of a secondary precept derived from Natural Law?
Which of the following is an example of a secondary precept derived from Natural Law?
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Natural law suggests that moral principles are independent of God's design.
Natural law suggests that moral principles are independent of God's design.
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What is the role of reason in Aquinas' Natural Law theory?
What is the role of reason in Aquinas' Natural Law theory?
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What developmental stage is characterized by the emergence of jealousy towards the same-sex parent?
What developmental stage is characterized by the emergence of jealousy towards the same-sex parent?
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Freud believed that the repression of sexual desires leads to intimacy issues later in life.
Freud believed that the repression of sexual desires leads to intimacy issues later in life.
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Which psychologists criticized Freud for being unscientific?
Which psychologists criticized Freud for being unscientific?
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Before the age of 11, children have what Piaget called __________ morality.
Before the age of 11, children have what Piaget called __________ morality.
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Match the psychologists with their contributions:
Match the psychologists with their contributions:
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What is the primary role of religion according to Freud?
What is the primary role of religion according to Freud?
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Freud thought religion had fulfilled its purpose in modern society.
Freud thought religion had fulfilled its purpose in modern society.
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What kind of morality develops after the age of 11 according to Piaget?
What kind of morality develops after the age of 11 according to Piaget?
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According to Freud, guilt is a product of __________ instincts and societal expectations.
According to Freud, guilt is a product of __________ instincts and societal expectations.
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What does Freud argue about social rules imposed by religion?
What does Freud argue about social rules imposed by religion?
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Freud's critique of religion aligns with Aquinas' natural law ethics.
Freud's critique of religion aligns with Aquinas' natural law ethics.
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What is one major critique against Freud's theories regarding the scientific method?
What is one major critique against Freud's theories regarding the scientific method?
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Which statement best describes Aquinas' view on conscience?
Which statement best describes Aquinas' view on conscience?
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Freud believed that a secular society would be superior for enabling __________.
Freud believed that a secular society would be superior for enabling __________.
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Match the terms to their definitions:
Match the terms to their definitions:
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Aquinas suggests that mistakes in applying moral rules are always indicative of a flawed conscience.
Aquinas suggests that mistakes in applying moral rules are always indicative of a flawed conscience.
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What does Aquinas mean by 'apparent goods'?
What does Aquinas mean by 'apparent goods'?
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Aquinas claims that actions stemming from __________ ignorance are considered sins since individuals could have known better.
Aquinas claims that actions stemming from __________ ignorance are considered sins since individuals could have known better.
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Match the types of ignorance with their definitions:
Match the types of ignorance with their definitions:
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What can lead to errors in conscientia according to Aquinas?
What can lead to errors in conscientia according to Aquinas?
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Human nature, according to Aquinas, is always oriented towards doing good.
Human nature, according to Aquinas, is always oriented towards doing good.
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What factors does Aquinas suggest can cause people to fail to do good?
What factors does Aquinas suggest can cause people to fail to do good?
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Aquinas argues that __________ ignorance is not imputed as a sin because the individual could not have known.
Aquinas argues that __________ ignorance is not imputed as a sin because the individual could not have known.
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Match the philosophers or thinkers with their views on morality:
Match the philosophers or thinkers with their views on morality:
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Which of the following is an example of vincible ignorance?
Which of the following is an example of vincible ignorance?
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Aquinas asserts that we should disregard our conscience if it leads us to make mistakes.
Aquinas asserts that we should disregard our conscience if it leads us to make mistakes.
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What are some universal moral principles identified across different cultures?
What are some universal moral principles identified across different cultures?
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Aquinas argues that __________ would suggest a universal human moral nature beyond mere cultural differences.
Aquinas argues that __________ would suggest a universal human moral nature beyond mere cultural differences.
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What does cross-cultural morality primarily arise from?
What does cross-cultural morality primarily arise from?
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Aquinas believed that human reason could completely understand God's nature.
Aquinas believed that human reason could completely understand God's nature.
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Who argued against Aquinas' natural law theory, claiming it leads to idolatry?
Who argued against Aquinas' natural law theory, claiming it leads to idolatry?
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Freud's model of the mind includes the Id, Ego, and _______.
Freud's model of the mind includes the Id, Ego, and _______.
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Match the following philosophers to their main ideas:
Match the following philosophers to their main ideas:
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According to Aquinas, what can human reason understand?
According to Aquinas, what can human reason understand?
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Freud believed that morality is purely the result of societal conditioning.
Freud believed that morality is purely the result of societal conditioning.
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What moral principle is commonly associated with the idea of treating others as you would like to be treated?
What moral principle is commonly associated with the idea of treating others as you would like to be treated?
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The _______ stage in Freud's psychosexual development occurs between 3 and 6 years old.
The _______ stage in Freud's psychosexual development occurs between 3 and 6 years old.
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Which philosopher argued that reason could not make revealed theology unnecessary?
Which philosopher argued that reason could not make revealed theology unnecessary?
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Tillich believed that denying the natural law shows a contradiction in understanding our conscience.
Tillich believed that denying the natural law shows a contradiction in understanding our conscience.
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What does the Id represent in Freud's theory?
What does the Id represent in Freud's theory?
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The _______ stage in Freud’s theory involves the pleasure from exercising self-control over toilet training.
The _______ stage in Freud’s theory involves the pleasure from exercising self-control over toilet training.
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What did Freud think could lead to mental problems?
What did Freud think could lead to mental problems?
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What is the role of the Super Ego, according to Freud?
What is the role of the Super Ego, according to Freud?
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Study Notes
Aquinas' Natural Law Ethics
- God-given moral law: Aquinas believed God designed a moral law inherent in human nature, guiding us toward virtuous behavior.
- Reason's role: Reason discovers this natural law, guiding actions towards glorifying God (telos).
- Synderesis: A habit of reason, discovering God's foundational moral principles (first principles).
- Synderesis rule: The good is what all things seek as their end/goal (telos).
- Primary precepts: Worship God, live in an orderly society, reproduce; educate, protect/preserve human life; defend the innocent. These precepts reflect God's intentions for humanity.
- Conscientia: Applying primary precepts to specific situations to formulate secondary precepts.
- Example: Euthanasia is wrong, as it violates the precept of preserving human life.
- Fallible conscience: Mistakes can arise in applying primary precepts (conscientia) due to original sin, poor habits or cultural influences.
- Obligatory conscience: One must follow their conscience, even if mistaken, as acting against it is acting against one's (mistaken) conception of good.
Invincible vs. Vincible Ignorance
- Invincible ignorance: A lack of knowledge that could not be known with reasonable effort, and therefore not culpable.
- Example: If someone is unknowingly culpable for a situation without knowledge of it.
- Vincible ignorance: A lack of knowledge that could have been known through reasonable effort; culpable.
- Example: Someone who could have known better.
Potential Criticisms of Aquinas
- Human nature flaw: Aquinas' optimism about human nature is debatable given historical atrocities like Nazism. Different cultures possess different morality.
- Moral relativism: Different cultures hold diverse moral beliefs, challenging the idea of an innate, universally discoverable natural law.
- Emphasis on reason: Aquinas overestimates the ability of rational human thought to understand God's morality.
Freud's Psychological Perspective on Conscience
- Psychoanalytic theory: Conscience is shaped by psychological forces, not God's influence.
- Id, Ego, Superego: Id (instincts), Ego (reason), and Superego (societal values internalized).
- Psychosexual development: Stages of development (oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital) influence conscience formation.
- Repression: Society relies on repressed instincts, and religion is often perceived as a tool for repression.
- Critiques of Religion: Religion leads to repression that causes unhappiness and internal conflicts.
- Alternatives: A secular, autonomously-guided approach to social order would be preferable to religion.
Piaget's Standpoint
-
Development of moral thought: Piaget proposed two stages of moral thought:
- Heteronomous Morality: Before age 11, moral views are based on external authority (parents).
- Autonomous Morality: After age 11, children develop abstract moral reasoning.
Comparison/Contrast
- Different origins of morality: Aquinas vs Freud. (Aquinas= God-given; Freud=Social learning)
- Role of reason: Aquinas believes it's a tool for discovering God's law; Freud views it as a mediator for societal pressures.
Key Questions and Discussion Points
- Comparison of Aquinas and Freud's views on conscience
- Validity of religious approaches to conscience
- Existence of a universal moral law versus cultural relativism
- Role of reason and instinct in moral decision making
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Description
Explore Aquinas' concept of natural law and its implications for moral decision-making. This quiz delves into the role of reason, the synderesis, and primary precepts that guide ethical behavior according to Aquinas. Test your understanding of how these principles apply to contemporary moral dilemmas.
