Understanding the Moral Act

Arsenic and Old Lace

good actgood act

bad actbad act

bad

act

$1,000,000

O I C!

1750    The morality of human acts depends on:

—the object chosen; —the end in view or the intention; —the circumstances of the action. The object, the intention, and the

circumstances make up the “sources,” or constitutive elements, of the morality of human acts.

Sources of Morality:

One Moral WholeOne Moral Whole

Internal Act:the will’s consenting to

an act with itsobject, end, and circumstances

External Act:the execution of the

will’s decision

END

Is it in accord with the Ultimate End?

Is it good?

Flawed Moral Theories

Abelard and Heloise

Abelard = primacy of intention

Consequentialism: i.e. the end justifies the means

basic consequentialism scenario egoism - utilitarianism

deontology

kant and deontology http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=TuqFA0QvC7o&feature=channel athiest kid on consequentialism and

deontology

Crisis of truth (see VS)

Slippery slopesHumanae Vitae – predictions of the

effects of a ‘contraceptive mentality’ on the underwstanding of ‘woman’, the institution of marriage and the govt.’s respect for conscience….

Eg. emotions

Eg. Virtue (hope)

Some ‘isms’ found in Veritatis Splendor Relativism Individualism Absolutism Naturalism Secularism Etc…

Relativism

Says truth is subjective

So…..what are the consequences?

Principle of non-contradiction

Something cannot “be and not be” at the same time

Absolutism Exaltation of __________

Examples: In the name of tolerance and freedom , religious institutions are illegal if they _______________

• Catholic Charities adoption agencies have been closed b/c they don’t give babies to ‘everyone’

• HHS mandate• Public buildings/ funds can’t be accessible to those

who ‘discriminate’

Individualism

Combo….all is subject to your opinion Moral autonomy N.B. – truth finds unity in diversity

abso

lutism

relati

vism

Naturalism (physicalism, scientism)

Opposite of freedom

Man is controlled by nature/environment

secularismReligious freedom vs. freedom of worship- Compartmentalizes ‘faith’

Faith

-a 24/7 thing

-Compatible with all truth

-give to Caesar what is Caesars