Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the basis of moral realism as opposed to moral relativism?
What is the basis of moral realism as opposed to moral relativism?
- Moral truths are subjective and can change over time.
- Everything is justifiable based on personal opinion.
- Moral values vary significantly across different cultures.
- There exists a structured order of right and wrong. (correct)
Which inclination aligns with self-preservation in the context of natural law?
Which inclination aligns with self-preservation in the context of natural law?
- Acting in self-defense. (correct)
- Altruism towards others.
- Prioritizing community well-being over individual needs.
- Engaging in unjust harm.
What question does natural law encourage individuals to ask regarding moral actions?
What question does natural law encourage individuals to ask regarding moral actions?
- What is socially acceptable?
- What benefits will I gain?
- What is natural? (correct)
- What do others expect of me?
Which of the following best describes the origin of natural law?
Which of the following best describes the origin of natural law?
How does natural law support dialogue in a pluralist society?
How does natural law support dialogue in a pluralist society?
What does AHP emphasize about freedom?
What does AHP emphasize about freedom?
What characterizes a human act according to the content?
What characterizes a human act according to the content?
Which term distinguishes between actions based on levels of control?
Which term distinguishes between actions based on levels of control?
How does a fundamental option impact human actions?
How does a fundamental option impact human actions?
What diminishes moral responsibility according to the concepts presented?
What diminishes moral responsibility according to the concepts presented?
What does the text say about judging actions of an individual?
What does the text say about judging actions of an individual?
What is a key aspect of personal acts within moral theology?
What is a key aspect of personal acts within moral theology?
What forms the basis for the concept of moral culpability?
What forms the basis for the concept of moral culpability?
What does the theory state about wrongdoing affecting freedom of choice?
What does the theory state about wrongdoing affecting freedom of choice?
What impact does undue force have on human acts?
What impact does undue force have on human acts?
What characterizes a morally mature conscience?
What characterizes a morally mature conscience?
Which of the following best describes a scrupulous conscience?
Which of the following best describes a scrupulous conscience?
How does a lax conscience typically approach moral decisions?
How does a lax conscience typically approach moral decisions?
What is considered the worst combination in moral decision-making?
What is considered the worst combination in moral decision-making?
What is the obligation concerning one's own conscience in relation to others' consciences?
What is the obligation concerning one's own conscience in relation to others' consciences?
What is Synderesis primarily associated with?
What is Synderesis primarily associated with?
What is the main focus of the self-evaluation aspect of conscience?
What is the main focus of the self-evaluation aspect of conscience?
Which statement best represents the concept of Conscience 3?
Which statement best represents the concept of Conscience 3?
How does the general sense of conscience relate to natural law?
How does the general sense of conscience relate to natural law?
What does discernment in conscience primarily involve?
What does discernment in conscience primarily involve?
Which aspect of conscience reflects the idea of Relationality?
Which aspect of conscience reflects the idea of Relationality?
Why might exceptions to moral rules occur in different situations?
Why might exceptions to moral rules occur in different situations?
What does Conscience 4 emphasize?
What does Conscience 4 emphasize?
What does Dignitatis Humanae emphasize regarding individual conscience?
What does Dignitatis Humanae emphasize regarding individual conscience?
According to Aquinas, what is preferable to acting against one's conscience?
According to Aquinas, what is preferable to acting against one's conscience?
Which type of conscience is characterized by a lack of fear regarding moral decisions?
Which type of conscience is characterized by a lack of fear regarding moral decisions?
What is the role of synderesis in relation to self-evaluation?
What is the role of synderesis in relation to self-evaluation?
Which of the following best describes habitual conscience?
Which of the following best describes habitual conscience?
Which statement about scrupulous conscience is accurate?
Which statement about scrupulous conscience is accurate?
Cardinal Ratzinger asserts that one’s conscience must be obeyed in what context?
Cardinal Ratzinger asserts that one’s conscience must be obeyed in what context?
What distinguishes certain conscience from doubtful conscience?
What distinguishes certain conscience from doubtful conscience?
Study Notes
Basic Human Inclinations
- Unjust harm is always wrong; just harm, such as self-defense, may be permissible.
- Self-preservation is a fundamental inclination.
Epistemological Foundations of Natural Law
- Natural Law originates from human reason reflecting on experience to discover moral values.
- Distinction between moral relativism (absence of standards; everything justified) and moral realism (recognition of an order of right and wrong).
- Natural Law facilitates dialogue across diverse cultures and beliefs.
Learning about Natural Law
- Emerged from Greek Stoics, not originally religious or Christian.
- Involves various traditions, including the Thomistic Natural Law tradition.
- Questions guiding natural law: "What ought I to do?" and "What is natural?"
Human Acts
- Human Acts require sufficient freedom and knowledge to hold moral responsibility.
- Personal acts vary in the level of control, freedom of choice leads to moral responsibility.
- Sinfulness is linked with the knowledge and freedom involved in human acts.
Acts of the Human Person
- Acts not performed with sufficient knowledge or freedom diminish moral accountability.
- Impersonal acts result in diminished moral responsibility due to external pressures.
The Problem of Moral Responsibility
- Actions can evolve from choices into significant decisions affecting moral responsibility.
- Wrongdoings should be judged considering freedom of self-determination.
- Individuals remain accountable even when actions are well-intended.
Self-Reflection and Conscience
- Conscience's primary purpose is self-improvement and doing right.
- Synderesis (the natural inclination to know good) versus syneidesis (self-reflection).
- Self-evaluation is crucial for a mature conscience; it impacts future moral choices.
Levels of Conscience
- General or Universal Conscience detects a moral law not self-imposed.
- Specific or Christian-level conscience responds to divine guidance and relationality.
The Primacy of Conscience
- Individuals must act according to their conscience, even against authority.
- Aquinas highlights the importance of adhering to one's conscience over social or ecclesiastical norms.
Distinctions Between Types of Conscience
- Certain, Doubtful, Correct, Erroneous, Scrupulous, and Lax categories define conscience maturity influenced by choices made.
- Scrupulous conscience tends to follow strict teachings, whereas lax conscience seeks convenience and easy solutions.
The Best and Worst Forms of Conscience
- The ideal conscience is both certain and correct, ensuring moral clarity.
- The most problematic conscience involves erroneous beliefs that are certain yet lax.
Obligation to Conscience
- There is a moral obligation to follow one's properly formed conscience and respect others' conscience.
- When faced with potential harm to others, it is imperative to intervene and discourage wrongdoing.
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Description
Explore the philosophical concepts of just and unjust harm as presented by Aquinas. This quiz dives into the fundamental human inclinations, including self-preservation, and the role of reason in ethical considerations. Challenge your understanding of morality and ethics.
