Philosophy: Aquinas and Human Inclinations
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Questions and Answers

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?

  • 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 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?

    <p>A concept originating from Greek stoics and non-religious traditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does natural law support dialogue in a pluralist society?

    <p>It offers a foundation to discuss varying moral beliefs without conflict.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does AHP emphasize about freedom?

    <p>Freedom should be used to do good.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes a human act according to the content?

    <p>Acts performed with sufficient freedom and knowledge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term distinguishes between actions based on levels of control?

    <p>Freedom of choice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does a fundamental option impact human actions?

    <p>It shapes our moral choices significantly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What diminishes moral responsibility according to the concepts presented?

    <p>Inadequate exercise of freedom and knowledge.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the text say about judging actions of an individual?

    <p>Context and components of the act should be considered.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key aspect of personal acts within moral theology?

    <p>They involve a level of personal freedom and knowledge.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What forms the basis for the concept of moral culpability?

    <p>Awareness and freedom during the act.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the theory state about wrongdoing affecting freedom of choice?

    <p>Judgments must be contextualized by the freedom one had.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact does undue force have on human acts?

    <p>It can decrease moral culpability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes a morally mature conscience?

    <p>Integration of moral insights and skills</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes a scrupulous conscience?

    <p>Always adheres to Church teachings regardless of context</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does a lax conscience typically approach moral decisions?

    <p>Seeks the easiest solutions available</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is considered the worst combination in moral decision-making?

    <p>Erroneous + Certain + Lax</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the obligation concerning one's own conscience in relation to others' consciences?

    <p>To respect others’ consciences while following one's own</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Synderesis primarily associated with?

    <p>The capacity to know and desire the good</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main focus of the self-evaluation aspect of conscience?

    <p>Evaluating one's striving to improve</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best represents the concept of Conscience 3?

    <p>A specific judgment of what one must do in a situation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the general sense of conscience relate to natural law?

    <p>It detects a law not imposed by oneself</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does discernment in conscience primarily involve?

    <p>Determining the particular good or evil in a situation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect of conscience reflects the idea of Relationality?

    <p>Hearing God's voice through others</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might exceptions to moral rules occur in different situations?

    <p>Different contexts can lead to unique moral interpretations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Conscience 4 emphasize?

    <p>The need for constant self-evaluation and improvement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Dignitatis Humanae emphasize regarding individual conscience?

    <p>It states that one must not be forced to act contrary to their conscience.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Aquinas, what is preferable to acting against one's conscience?

    <p>To die in excommunication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of conscience is characterized by a lack of fear regarding moral decisions?

    <p>Lax conscience</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of synderesis in relation to self-evaluation?

    <p>It enhances the ability to face future moral situations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes habitual conscience?

    <p>It is consistently guided by moral principles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about scrupulous conscience is accurate?

    <p>It instills excessive fear of wrongdoing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Cardinal Ratzinger asserts that one’s conscience must be obeyed in what context?

    <p>In all circumstances, even against ecclesiastical requirements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes certain conscience from doubtful conscience?

    <p>Certain conscience has a clear moral direction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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.

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