Religion Midterm Study Notes PDF

1. Morality o The standards by which actions are judged to be good or evil. 2. Moral Theology o The subset of theology that uses reason, guided by Divine Revelation, to direct human acts toward their supernatural end: God. 3. Objective Morality o Standards of conduct...

1. Morality o The standards by which actions are judged to be good or evil. 2. Moral Theology o The subset of theology that uses reason, guided by Divine Revelation, to direct human acts toward their supernatural end: God. 3. Objective Morality o Standards of conduct that are universal and not determined by culture or personal preference. 4. Moral Relativism o The view that there is no absolute or universal moral law, making morality subject to cultural or personal factors. 5. Good and Evil o Good: All things oriented toward God, the Supreme Good. o Evil: The absence of good; it "misses the mark" of what is good. 6. Beatitude o Eternal happiness in Heaven, characterized by the vision of God and participation in His divine nature. 7. Virtue o A habitual and firm disposition to do good. o Theological Virtues: Faith, hope, and charity. o Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. 8. Prudence o Enables right choices, inspired by the moral law; often referred to as "common sense." 9. Justice o The virtue that enables us to render what is due to God and neighbor. 10. Fortitude o Enables perseverance in doing good amidst obstacles and difficulties. 11. Temperance o Enables control over passions and feelings for clarity of mind and strength of will. 12. Sacred Scripture o The Bible, containing the inspired Word of God. 13. Sacred Tradition o The living transmission of the Gospel message through the Church’s teachings, life, and worship. 14. Magisterium o The authority of the pope and bishops united to him in matters of faith and morals. 15. Theological Anthropology o The study of human nature as it relates to God and Revelation. 16. Free Will o The gift from God allowing us to direct our own actions without constraint. 17. Concupiscence o The human inclination toward sin, a temporal consequence of original sin. 18. Positive Morality o A morality that emphasizes what ought to be done, rather than solely what ought to be avoided. 19. Individualism o A philosophy that places the interests of the individual above those of society. 20. Materialism o The belief that physical goods or possessions are the highest good. 21. Grace o The help God gives us to respond to His call to become His children. 22. Sanctifying Grace o The free, unmerited gift of God, given through the sacraments, which heals and sanctifies human nature. 23. Actual Grace o Supernatural help from God for specific circumstances to do good and avoid evil. 24. Freedom o The power to act or not act, directed toward God, our ultimate good. 25. Freedom for Excellence o The power to act freely in pursuit of human perfection and everlasting joy. 26. Freedom of Indifference o The power to choose between contraries, such as good and evil. 27. License o Choice without restraint; often a misuse of freedom. 28. Determinism o The belief that human actions are dictated by external forces, leaving no room for free will. 29. The Moral Act o An action resulting from deliberate choice, with moral content, that reveals the moral character of the person performing it. 30. Responsibility o A person's accountability for their actions, presupposing knowledge, freedom, and capability. 31. Ignorance (Two Types) o Vincible Ignorance: Not knowing something one ought to have known. o Invincible Ignorance: Not knowing something that was impossible to know. 32. Inadvertence o Not noticing something, often leading to unintended consequences. 33. Duress o Being forced to act against one’s will, such as being coerced. 34. Fear o An emotion or reaction that can lessen culpability, such as stealing out of fear of harm. 35. Inordinate Attachment o Excessive desire for something, often leading to immoral actions. 36. Conscience  o A judgment of reason regarding the morality of a particular act in light of objective moral standards. 37. Law (General) o An ordinance of reason for the common good, affirmed by legitimate authority. 38. Eternal Law o The plan of divine wisdom directing all acts and movements. 39. Natural Law o The rational creature’s participation in eternal law, written on the human heart. 40. Divine/Revealed Law o The law revealed by God through Scripture and Tradition, guiding us toward Heaven. 41. Human/Civil Law o Laws created by human societies to govern for the common good, reflecting natural law. 42. Moral Law o A work of divine wisdom that prescribes the ways to God and forbids what turns us from Him. 43. Common Good o The conditions that allow individuals and communities to achieve their fulfillment. 44. Object o The specific action performed, carrying the most weight in determining moral quality. 45. Proportionalism o A moral theory that measures goodness by comparing good and evil effects. 46. Consequentialism o The belief that the morality of an act is determined solely by its outcomes. 47. Situation Ethics o A theory that judges actions based on the specific context rather than absolute moral norms. 48. Double Effect o A principle permitting an action with both good and bad effects if certain conditions are met: o The act itself must be good. o The agent must have a right intention. o The good effect cannot result from the bad effect. o The good effect must outweigh the bad. Short Answers 1. Virtue o A habit to do good. Examples: prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance. 2. Objective vs. Subjective Morality o Objective: Universal moral truths valid for all. o Subjective: Personal or culturally influenced views of right and wrong. 3. Types of Law o Eternal Law: God's plan for creation. o Natural Law: Written on human hearts. o Divine Law: Revealed by God (e.g., 10 Commandments). o Human Law: Laws created by society for order. 4. Old and New Law o Old Law: Found in the Old Testament, including the Ten Commandments. o New Law: Revealed by Christ, emphasizing love and grace. 5. Freedom o The ability to choose good and align oneself with God’s will. 6. Principles/Divisions of Conscience o Principles: Judge moral acts using reason and truth. o Divisions: True, erroneous, scrupulous, lax. 7. Conscience and Truth o Conscience must align with objective truth and the moral law to be reliable. 8. Factors That Can Lessen/Remove Moral Fault o Ignorance, fear, duress, inadvertence, inordinate attachments. 9. Object/Intent/Circumstances o Object: The action itself (primary determinant). o Intent: The purpose or motive. o Circumstances: Context affecting culpability but not the action’s morality.