Ethics, Morality, and Religion

Ethics and Morality

• Ethics and morality share a similar etymological origin.
• "Ethos" comes from the Greek word "e800s."
• "Ethos" translates to custom, residence, or habitual character.
• "Mor" and "moris" originate from Latin.
• "Mor" and "moris" translate to custom or natural inclination.
• The main distinction is between philosophical and theological ethics/morality.
• They differ in method and purpose.
• Moral theology incorporates many concepts, methods, and language from philosophical ethics.

Morality and Religion

• Morality and religion are historically identified.
• In modern times, they have become disconnected, resulting in secular morality.
• Religions always contain moral precepts.
• Religions cannot be reduced to their moral systems.
• Every religion has its own moral system.
• Christianity is not reducible to a moral program but includes a moral conception of life.
• Christian morality is considered a revealed morality.
• God is believed to be the ultimate authority on good and evil.

Theological Character of Catholic Morality

• Moral theology is a specialized discipline within theology.
• Moral theology separated from other specialties because of the need for special training for confessors.
• Moral theology shares the same methods and sources as other theological specialties.
• Moral theology studies human acts in light of reason illuminated by faith.
• Moral theology orders human acts towards human perfection and the loving vision of God.
• This is achieved through grace for true and complete happiness
• Moral theology enriches itself with dogmatic truths and considers them in its inquiries.
• Dogmatics needs ethical consequences.
• Spiritual studies seek paths to union with God.
• The common theme is TM.
• These are complementary reflections on concrete Christian existence. -Moral theology relates to other branches of theology.
• Pastoral theology addresses how to present ethical demands and preach the moral message today.
• Canon law establishes a legal order for just coexistence among the baptized.
• Canon law regulates institutional life.
• Moral theology concerns individual life, including community aspects.

Moral Crisis in Contemporary Life

• A "moral schism" is present within the Church.
• Symptoms of the crisis include mutation of values, hedonistic morality, the denial of objectivity, permissiveness, and subjectivism.
• These issues stem from profound cultural causes.
• Veritatis Splendor is an encyclical letter released on August 6, 1993 after 7 years of elaboration.
• The Carta Encíclica refers to the Catechism (1992).
• The document does not offer a systematic exposition of Christian moral "corpus."
• The document addresses fundamental moral questions
• Numbers 28-34 contain information

Renewal of Theological Disciplines

• All other theological disciplines should be renewed with a more vivid contact with the mystery of Christ and the history of salvation.
• Special care should be taken to perfect moral theology.
• Its scientific exposition should be more nourished by the doctrine of Sacred Scripture.
• The scientific exposition should explain the greatness of the vocation of the faithful in Christ and their obligation to produce fruit for the life of the world in charity.

Morality in the Old Testament (AT)

• Includes introduction, the Decalogue, religious morality, and reasonable morality.
• The document mentions both moral greatness and excellence of the Old Testament.
• The Old Testament serves as a reference point.
• It is contained but essential in Jesus and the apostles.

Covenant in the Old Testament

• The Covenant is central to the moral structure of the Old Testament.
• The Covenant is a historical-salvific event, functioning as a moral pact.
• The Covenant is between God and Israel
• There are elements such as "You will be my people and I will be your God" Ex 6:7., Lev 26.2

Decalogue

• The Decalogue consists of ten words.
• The Septuagint (LXX) translates it in Deuteronomy 4:13.
• The commandments were written on two tablets.
• There are two versions of the Decalogue.
• Exodus 20: 1-17 shows the original context.
• The writing was done by the finger of God
• There are varying precepts on each table.
• The Commandments are a dual accounting of the covenant.
• The law is seen as a continuation of God's liberating plan.
• Deuteronomy 6:6-21 underscores a value beyond mere literalism.
• It emphasizes awareness of these norms

Prophetic Books within Religious Moral Framework

• Jeremiah 31:31-34 speaks of a new covenant.
• The new covenant involves a law written on the heart.
• An inner personal relationship with God deepens, reflecting on morality.
• The covenants moral demands become the focus.
• The foundation is religious.
• Religious obligations become secondary to moral responsibilities,
• Morality arises from acknowledgement of God's holiness.
• There is unworthiness of man before Gods Holiness
• There's an internalization of precepts and a change of heart.

Wisdom Books: Reasonable Morality

• Wisdom books are essentially moral.
• The influence of Hellenic culture and Stoic morality is present.
• A good person attains tranquil life, respect, and veneration over years.
• These represent morality of experience and criteria.
• These are reasonable, ethical wisdom, dialogues with cultures outside Israel.
• Job: faith in an Unknowable God but faithful to what is within himself.

Moral Grandeur of the Old Testament

• The morality is superior to neighboring peoples.
• The fundamental values are safeguarded and promoted.
• A religious spirit and relationship with God are present.

Morality in the New Testament (NT)

• Includes the kerygma, the Beatitudes, the double precept of charity, and the following of Christ.
• Notes on the characteristics

Christ and Morality

• Christ is the differentiating factor in Christian morality.
• He stands as a person who follows the moral message from the Old Testament and Judaism, but took it to its fullness.
• Mentioned contexts: Mc 1:21, Mc 14:12, Mc 6:56, Mc 7:8-13, 18-23.
• The model of believer embodies conversion, repentance and grace.

The Kerygma

• The time has been fulfilled, and the Kingdom is near.
• Convert and believe in the Good News (Mark 1:15).
• There is faith in the person and work of Jesus
• Decision for conversion is needed.
• There are images and parables that Announce of God's reign.
• Perfection in not an end.
• This is a summoned cooperation in the Kingdom

Beatitudes

• The Beatitudes relate to the Ten Commandments.
• They are found within Mc 5, 1-12, Mc 5, 17ss.
• There are not antithetical to the commandments
• There are different interpretations
• Luther suggests that the commandments are moral and pedagogical
• Schweitzer claims a provisional moral.
• There is an ideal moral
• There is a moral of the first class

Double Precept of Charity

• This includes the love of God and neighbor
• All comes from within the law and the prophets

Following of Christ

• The following of Christ is the essential foundation of Christian morality Community, Discipleship is central not just for spirituality but for the moral
• "My Life is Christ" Gal 1, 11ss Flp 3, 3-14

Notes from the New Testament

• Morality is less about actions and more about being.
• Referenced Lc 6, 43-45, Mt 5, 20, Mt 15, 10-20.
• Morality more active than passive.
• Referenced Mc 8, 34-37, Jn 12, 24-25, Lc 16, 19-31, Mt 25.
• Not measured by righteousness but perfection in Thessalonians 4:3.
• There aren't precepts, but has absolute precepts that are not ends in themselves.
• There are morals of reward and punishment.
• Disposed to forgiveness.
• Moral de la libertad Mt 16, 24-27, Lc 14, 15-24, Gal 5,1 13.
• Moral is a life within the Spirit of God.
• Referenced Romans 8, 1-13

History of Moral Theology

• Includes an introductory reflection, Moral Reflection the Church Fathers
• Also moral reflection in the Middle Ages: Thomistic moral.
• Modern reflection and centuries 19 & 20

Necessity or Usefulness

• Questions the need/usefulness of studying of historical moral reflections
• Moral Theology justifies its methods, clarifies and justifies the environment which distinguishes them
• The way of moral thoughts and seeing distinguished other sections of the theology
• Shows historical development of moral science
• Shows the influence of cultural factors that constitute in the moral

Moral Reflection

• The Moral Reflection from the church fathers is patristics.
• It's oriented to driving the life of the faithful
• The are no systemic developments
• Include Jewish, Hellenic, Neoplatonism, stoicism influences
• There are however principles
• Natural Law and Virtue

Apostolic Fathers and Apologists

• This would be the morals from the first century.
• Didaché Moral of the two ways. It is a topic not exclusively Christian
• Pastor de Hermas - to obtain forgiveness for the serious faults once after the Baptism
• Apologists - Defense with christianity anti the pagans
• Artistides Philosophical christian, writes a apology anti Adriano o Antonino

Didache

• Shows two ways - one of life and one of death
• states that you should love God who is above all
• Also love your fellow neighbor as yourself
• "Todo aquello que no quieras que se haga contigo, no lo hagas tú tampoco a otro".

Apology of Aristides

• States Christians engrave the commandments on the heart
• The guard those, wait in the ressurrect, and be ethical

Writers of the II Century

• Clemente de Tertuliano Alejandría
• Showed freedom and grace
• Showed how estoicism and christianity completed each other

Basilio Magno +379

• Obispo de Cesarea de Capadocia
• Assisted the origin of the monks
• Assists with sistematize monks
• Demands of the moral life settles in
• Influence Social and Moral Rules

Ambrosio de Milan +397

• Formación como oficial público
• De officisinspirado en Cicerón
• Doctrina moral y aplicación práctica
• Moral fundada en razón y revelación

Agustin de Hipona +430

• Great Influence
• Showed Caridad or charity
• Finos análisis psicológicos
• Analisis

3 3 Edad Media

• Nostalgia de los Padres, sociedad estratificada basada en autoridad e institución
• La santidad se busca en los monasterios
• Centralidad del tema de la ley y el pecado, moral casuista

Guillermo de Ockham +1347

• Nominalismo: universales son nombres, primacía de la razón, centralidad del sujeto individual
• Voluntarismo: Dios fuente última de la moralidad. Leyes morales basadas únicamente en voluntad de Dios