Unit III: Genuine Freedom and Dignity

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Questions and Answers

What does true moral autonomy imply according to the content?

The rejection of God's moral law.

The creation of moral norms based on cultures.

The acceptance of God's command. (correct)

Denial of human freedom.

How is human freedom characterized in relation to God's law?

As an absolute freedom devoid of moral guidelines.

As free obedience that intersects with God's benevolence. (correct)

As an independent force that does not require God's law.

As a condition that limits human choices.

What is the result of claiming autonomy that negates God's participation in moral norms?

Greater diversity in moral values.

True freedom for individuals.

Enhanced understanding of moral law.

A contradiction of the Church's teaching. (correct)

What does the command not to eat from the tree of knowledge signify?

Man's participation in moral knowledge through divine guidance. Signup and view all the answers

How is the concept of obedience to God often misunderstood?

As a restrictive condition that diminishes human rights. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated as the foundation for genuine freedom?

Recognition of one's and other's dignity Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, how is human dignity related to God's presence?

It demands respect for the presence of God in each person Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions is mentioned as an expression of freedom?

Loving and showing mercy Signup and view all the answers

What does Saint Augustine imply is the first step towards freedom?

Being free from crimes Signup and view all the answers

What does the content suggest about the decision of what is good or evil?

It is solely the prerogative of God Signup and view all the answers

How is freedom characterized in relation to choosing good?

It increases as one chooses the good Signup and view all the answers

What role does faithfulness play in understanding freedom, according to the content?

It enhances connection to one's dignity Signup and view all the answers

What does the content imply about the responsibility that comes with exercising freedom?

It requires individual accountability for actions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limitation of human freedom according to the provided content?

It must comply with God's moral law. Signup and view all the answers

How does God's law affect human freedom according to the text?

It promotes and protects human freedom. Signup and view all the answers

What cultural tendency is criticized in the content?

The notion that individuals can assign their own moral values. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between human reason and Divine Wisdom?

Human reason depends on Divine Wisdom for moral understanding. Signup and view all the answers

What argument is made against moral autonomy in the content?

It undermines the need for divine revelation. Signup and view all the answers

What is said about the notion of creating values in the text?

Creating values results in a primacy over truth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the view on moral norms belonging to natural moral law according to the content?

They are universally understandable and communicable. Signup and view all the answers

What does Trisha consider doing to Benjamin despite knowing it is wrong?

Creating a fake social media account Signup and view all the answers

In contrast to divine law, what alternative does the text mention people have posited?

A human-defined law originating from reason. Signup and view all the answers

What is the foundation of true freedom as described in the content?

Being made in the image and likeness of God Signup and view all the answers

How does genuine freedom relate to a person's dignity?

It enables individuals to choose good in all their undertakings Signup and view all the answers

What role does God play in the dignity and freedom of man?

God serves as a model for behavior Signup and view all the answers

What signifies the acceptance of man before God according to the content?

Washing man's inequities through Christ's blood Signup and view all the answers

What happens to man’s body through the act of baptism?

It becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit Signup and view all the answers

Why is Mother Teresa mentioned as an icon of holiness?

She exercised genuine freedom through good works Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between being human and becoming like God?

The more we become like God, the more we embody our humanity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of the moral law according to the discussed concepts?

Divine wisdom and God Signup and view all the answers

What does the exercise of dominion over the world signify for man?

A task of responsibility guided by divine command Signup and view all the answers

How is 'genuine freedom' defined in relation to man’s autonomy?

Seeking the Creator out of one's own accord Signup and view all the answers

What does rightful autonomy entail in the context of earthly realities?

Discovery and utilization of laws governing created things Signup and view all the answers

What is required for man to attain personal perfection?

Performing morally good acts and seeking God Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best reflects the relationship between reason and moral norms?

Divine wisdom informs the reason that recognizes moral law Signup and view all the answers

What does 'being in the power of his own counsel' imply about man's relation to God?

Man is free to seek God and make moral choices Signup and view all the answers

How should one view the autonomy of reason in relation to moral law?

As recognizing that reason must operate within the framework of divine law Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Unit III: Called to the Fullness of Life

Lesson A: Genuine Freedom: The Pursuit of the Good

Trisha and Benjamin

Trisha dislikes Benjamin from the start
Trisha finds Benjamin annoying
She considers creating a fake social media account to spread false rumors about him
She feels distressed about the idea, even though it's possible.

How Do I Distinguish Good from Evil?

Question posed
Image of a devil and an angel

Research

How do people express freedom?
Identify positive and negative forms of expression

Freedom as Expression of Dignity

God's Image and Likeness in Man
Freedom is anchored in man's dignity, being made in God's image.
Freedom towards the good is achieved and perfected in God.
Man must be aware of the call to be faithful to his dignity.

True Freedom

True freedom is a freedom only for the good
Human persons are the perfect and crowning glory of God
Humans must participate in God's creative works
Man is expected to choose the good in all undertakings.

Genuine Freedom

Freedom must be emphasized
It leads to awareness of man's fidelity to the dignity lost in sin

Striving to be Like God

Man strives to become like God
The more we become like God, the more we become human.

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa is an icon of holiness
She practiced genuine freedom by performing God's works

Dignity and Freedom

Man's life comes from God who has the sole right to take it away
Washing man's inequities through Christ makes man acceptable to God
Baptism allows man's body to become the temple of the Holy Spirit
God's presence in man makes him/her holy

Freedom in Interactions

Freedom enters when man treats others with respect and high regard for God's presence.
Man is equal before God's eyes due to dignity

Creation and Love of God

Creation happened with unconditional, undying and unending love of God
Man's response to God is faithfulness
Man's/others' dignity is the basis of the genuine exercise of freedom

Navigating Freedom

The good should take precedence during the practice of freedom
Man is responsible in exercising freedom, and is accountable for all his acts.

Intrinsic Goodness

Man's intrinsic goodness is exercised through free will and intellect
Man is bound to God, and is aware of the call to be faithful to his dignity
Man perfects himself and arrives at promised salvation of Christ

Freedom to Our Dignity

Freedom is the ability to be faithful to our dignity
Practicing actions, such as loving, showing mercy, having compassion, and forgiving
Freedom allows the ability to choose the good
The more we choose the good, the freer we become.

The Beginning of Freedom

Freedom stems from being free of criminal acts such as murder, adultery, and so forth
When men are free of these acts, they lift their heads toward freedom

Freedom and Law

"Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat" (Gen 2:17)
God commanded "You may eat freely of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die" (Gen 2:16-17)

Imagery of Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil

Revelation teaches that the power to decide what is good and what is evil does not belong to man. It belongs to God alone.
Man is able to understand and accept God's commands
Man has freedom to eat of any tree in God's given garden.

God's Law and Freedom

God's law does not reduce or remove human freedom
Some cultural tendencies have clashed with freedom and law
Some argue that people or groups should be able to decide what's good or bad.

Doctrines about Freedom

Doctrine grants rights to individuals or groups to determine what is good and evil.
Freedom is able to create values, and takes precedence over truth

Vatican Council Response

Vatican II encouraged a desire to foster dialogue with modern culture and understand moral norms better.
Moral norms are rational and understandable.

Human Dependence on God

Some disregard the idea that human reason depends on Divine Wisdom.
Divine Revelation is important for knowing moral truths
Man has complete sovereignty of reason concerning lives.

Norms and Constitutions

Constitutions and norms create boundaries for morality
God created the law, and the law is exclusively in the hands of man

God's Counsel

God gave man the power of his own counsel and the manifestation of divine image
Man's counsel leads to freely finding the Creator, in accordance with his will

Exercise of Dominion

Man's work of dominion over the world demonstrates his freedom in obeying God's command.
A rightful autonomy is due to every man and the human community, including their own created realities and values

Man's Responsibility

Man has the responsibility over the world, as well as himself
Man must seek the Creator and attain perfection in a free manner.
Man builds up his perfection through his actions

Moral Life and the Principle

The principle of "rightful autonomy" describes the life of man
God created the moral law, and it is founded in him
Moral law comes from Divine Wisdom, and is a properly human law.

Practical Reason and Moral Norms

Man possesses the autonomy of his practical reason, given by the Creator
Man's ability to use practical reason does not prevent man from considering and accepting God's law
This is considered a denial of God's participation and freedom

Man's Moral Autonomy

Man's genuine moral autonomy involves accepting God's law, not refusing it.
Man's actions should appropriately intersect with God's law.
Obedience to God is not heteronomy, but rather acceptance of the absolute and all-powerful will of God.

Knowledge of Good and Evil

God prohibited eating the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
God made it clear (with his prohibition) that man lacks the knowledge of good and evil

Action (Canvas Infographic)

Task is to describe the sense of freedom today's people strive for.
Use a suitable picture
Discuss good and bad aspects of this concept
Propose how we can improve using Christian concepts

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Description

This quiz explores the concepts of genuine freedom, the distinction between good and evil, and the importance of dignity as it relates to God's image. Through specific examples like Trisha and Benjamin, students are encouraged to reflect on how freedom is expressed positively and negatively. Dive deep into what true freedom means in a moral context.