Ch 2
Review
#1
• In morality we have to work hard to search for
truth , and then we should act on it. One of
the reasons we live in a world that has
difficulty discerning right from wrong may be
that people do not take the time to think.
#2
• What is prudence and how is it related to
other virtues?
Prudence is “right reason in action.” It is related
to other virtues because it guides them by
setting rule and measure.
#3
• What are the four major steps of the “STOP
Sign” approach to moral decision-making?
S- Search out the facts
T- Think about alternatives and consequences
O- Others- Consult them and consider how
your actions will affect them.
P- Pray to the Lord for guidance.
#4
• Explain what is involved in a process of
discernment.
A decision-making process that attends to the
implications and consequences of an action
or choice.
#5
• Catholic morality is based on reality, on the
way things are, on how God made them and
intends them to be. It is not based on wishful
thinking.
#6
• What is the meaning of the quote from
Rudyard Kipling?
The foundation of all knowledge we acquire
comes from answering questions beginning
with who, what, when, where, why, and how.
#7
What are the three major aspects of every moral
action?
The moral object (what)
The intention or motive (why)
The circumstances (who, where, when, and
how)
#8
• A what question helps us to determine if the
matter of our action is good or bad, if it is
directed to our true good or is harmful and
destructive. Human reason helps us recognize
and judge which actions correspond to our
true good.
#9
What does it mean to call an action “intrinsically
evil?”
Actions that go against God’s will and destroy
human good. They can never be justified.
#10
What does Pope John Paul II mean in the Gospel
of Life when he says, relating to abortion, that
we have to have the courage to look the truth
in the eye and call things by their proper
name?
No word has the power to change the reality of
something.
#11
• What we do is incredibly important because
God calls us to become fully human by putting
him above all and loving our neighbor as
ourselves.
#12
What are the various elements of an action?
Actions…
-Express who we are
-Make or form us into the persons we are
growing to be
-Impact the world around us, doing good or
bringing about harm
#13
True or False? According to The Splendor of
Truth, “the morality of the human act depends
primarily and fundamentally on the responses
of others to the action.”
False
..depends on the ‘object’ rationally chosen by
the deliberate will.
#14
The answer to the why question gets to the
motive or intention for performing an action.
Because intention resides in the will of the
subject acting, it is often called the subjective
dimension in morality.
#15
• What is an example of the importance of
intention in the legal system?
When it distinguishes between first and
second-degree murder and manslaughter.
#16
True or False? Your motive or intention is a
significant factor in judging the morality of the
objective act.
True
#17
What are the two rules for governing
intentions?
-Keep the intention good,
-The end does not justify the means if the
means are immoral.
#18
True or False? A bad intention cannot
contaminate a seemingly good act.
False
#19
What examples did Jesus teach to illustrate the
importance of good intentions?
-Giving money to the poor anonymously
-We should fast and pray out of sincere hearts
#20
What does it mean to say that the end does not
justify the means? What is one example of
this?
Good intentions do not make an act good if the
means being used are evil.
Examples: Cheating to get good grades, lying to
help someone get a good job, etc.
#21
• What are some motives or intentions people
use to justify abortion?
Fear of not being able to support the child.
#22-26
• True or False? The questions of who, where, when, and how help reveal
the intention of a particular moral action. False
• True or False? Circumstances can increase or decrease the moral
goodness or evil of an act. True
• True or False? Circumstances always make a difference in judging the
morality of a case. False
• True or False? Time may or may not affect the goodness or evil of a case.
True
• True or False? The how question (the means) may or may not make a
difference in the rightness or wrongness of an action. True
#27
Taking the right action involves examining
various possibilities before taking action. It
also involves examining consequences of each
action.
#28
What is the message of the ancient proverb
about the blind men trying to describe an
elephant?
We have only partial grasp of the truth and we
need to look at various vantage points to
arrive at the whole truth.
#29
What virtue is the foundation of all human
relationships?
Honesty
#30
• We should never act without considering the
consequences of our actions. The moral
object is the decisive factor but we should
look at the possible effects of our proposed
actions.
#31
• What are some of the unfortunate
consequences of sexual indulgence outside of
God’s plan?
STDs, unplanned pregnancy, emotional pain,
and erosion of families.
#32
What’s an excellent question to ask when
considering consequences?
“Would I be willing to allow everyone in a
similar situation to act this way?”
#33
What are two good rules to apply when
considering the consequences of proposed
actions?
-Do only those things that you think would be
morally acceptable for all people at all times
-Always respect others as persons of
incomparable worth who are made in God’s
image
#34
Christian morality is very sensitive to the impact
our actions have on others and recognizes
that as human beings we live with others, and
as Christians we live for others.
#35
What are two ways we show our consideration
for other people?
-Always ask how our proposed actions will
affect others.
-We must look to and heed the advice of those
who are wiser than us.
#36
When people are involved, we need to take
extra care to guarantee that our actions mean
what we want them to mean and that they do
not hurt others or ourselves.
#37
• What is one common thread in several of the
sayings quoted on page 61?
“No one goes alone.”
#38
• What are some of the guideposts the Church
provides to help us make moral decisions?
-The Magesterium
-10 Commandments
-Catechism of the Church
#39-41
• True or False? The Magisterium of the Church refers to
the Holy Father and the bishops as authentic teachers
who have Christ’s authority to teach. True
• True or False? Jesus gave the Magisterium the gift of
perfection which preserves them from error in matters
of faith and morals. True
• True or False? According to the CCC we are not obliged
to observe the constitutions and decrees conveyed by
the legitimate authority of the Church. False
#42
How does the CCC define prayer?
The living relationship of the children of God
with their Father who is good beyond
measure, with his son Jesus Christ and with
the Holy Spirit.
#43
• What are some examples of Jesus taking time
to pray?
-Retreating to this desert after baptism
-Before choosing the apostles
-When he went to the hills/seashores after
performing miracles.
-During the dark hours of Gethsemane
-When he was dying on the cross
#44
• In the Our Father, Jesus invites us to call God
“Father” and he asks us to petition that God’s
will be done. If God is our Father, then we are
brothers and sisters to one another treating
everyone with respect and love.
#45
• When we pray to do God’s will we achieve
happiness by doing what is good for us and
strengthening our faith to do God’s will for
which we pray.
#46
• What simple definition of prayer is given
here? What are the two parts?
“Conversation with God”
Two parts: Talking and Listening
#47
What are the benefits of slowing down and
quieting down to listen to God?
We may discover new ideas or possible
solutions to problems that we have not
considered before.
#48
What secret does the Fox reveal to the Little
Prince?
#49
According to Deus Caritas Est what does a
Christian seek through prayer?
…seeks an encounter with the Father of Jesus
Christ, asking God to be present with the
consolation of the Spirit to him and his work.
#50
Prayer is very practical because it enables us to
meet Jesus Christ, who tells us of his great
love and empowers us to see our neighbor as
someone worthy of our love.
R and R (Pg 57)
What six questions help us to discover the facts
of moral cases?
What, why, who, when, and where
#2
What are the three sources, the constitutive
elements, of moral acts? Define each.
Moral Object (What)
The Intention/Motive (Why)
The Circumstances (Who, Where, When, and
How)
#3
Of these three sources of morality, name and
explain the most important element:
The moral object is the most important because
some actions are intrinsically evil, going against
God’s will and destroying human good.
#4
“The end does not justify the means.” What
does this statement mean?
To be a good action, the means must be moral.
Good intentions do not make an act good if the
means used are evil.
R and R Pg 60
Why is it important to consider alternatives and
consequences in thinking about the actions you
may take?
Looking at alternatives is important because rearely
is there just one possible way out of moral
dilemmas. Considering consequences is important
so that we can take responsibility for our actions, as
most of our decisions affect others.
R and R Pg 63
#1- Describe the qualities of a person who is a
good source of moral wisdomPositive, loving, Christ-like, not afraid to speak
the truth
#2
Define Magisterium. Why must Catholics heed
its teaching in the areas of faith and morals?
The Magisterium is an authentic teacher within
the Church, comprised of the Holy Father with
the bishops. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit
would always guide and preserve the Church.
#3
What is the Golden Rule?
“Do unto others as you would have them do
unto you.”
R and R Pg 65
What is prayer? How can it help us to make
moral decisions?
“The living relationship of the children of God
with their Father who is good beyond measure,
with his son Jesus Christ and with the Holy
Spirit.” Prayer can help us listen to God and
help God guide us through our minds, feelings,
imaginations, emotions, and memories.