HRE 4M1
MORALITY

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
Is concerned with
human conduct
Is concerned with
“what should be
done”
Judges right and
wrong in light of
what humanity is
Is a sense of right
and wrong
CHRISTIAN MORALITY



Is the ability to
respond to God
Is the ability to love
Is the ability to say,
“yes” to God
MORALITY is not just about religion, it’s
about FREE HUMAN CONDUCT and
making choices to do good.
MORAL PERSON
Can distinguish
between right and
wrong
 Has the ability to
behave the way
humans should
behave
 Obeys the laws for the
right reasons (not just
so they don’t get
caught)
 Is “good” according to
the standards of
society

AN IMMORAL PERSON



Opposes the moral
principles of society
Doesn’t act the way
humans were meant
to act
Knowingly and freely
treats others in an
unloving way
AN AMMORAL PERSON



Is not concerned
with moral standards
at all
Does not accept any
concept of right and
wrong
Acts without paying
attention to what is
right or wrong;
choices are random
MORAL PRINCIPLES


Are basic truths that
we use to determine
rules of conduct
These principles
enable us to
measure our moral
obligation or figure
out how we should
act in the different
situations we
encounter
(C.C.C.B., 2004)
What is a VALUE?


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Qualities, characteristic, or ideas about
what we feel strongly about
Our values affect our decision, goals and
behaviour
A belief or feeling that someone or
something is worthwhile
Values define what is of worth, what is
beneficial, and what is harmful
Values are standards to guide your actions,
judgments and attitudes
VALUES = DIRECTION
Value  Goals  Behaviour  Self-Value
 Values give us direction and consistency
to behaviour.
 Values help you know what to and what
not to make time for.
 Values help establish a relationship
between you and the world.
 Values set direction for one’s life.
WHERE DO WE GET OUT VLAUES
FROM?

Home, school,
society, friends,
church, T.V., music,
books, family,
culture, time period,
employers, etc…
HAPPINESS comes from
letting your values decide
your behaviour goals.
VALUES can change over your life-time as
your experiences change your views
NATURAL LAW



Catholics use ‘natural law’
to determine is an action is
right or wrong
According to Pope Leo XIII
natural law is “written and
engraved in the soul”
The Catechism says “The
natural law expresses the
original moral sense which
enables man to discern by
reason the good and the
evil, the truth and the lie
(CCC, # 1954)
(C.C.C.B., 2004)
THOMAS AQUINAS & NATURAL LAW

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Aquinas believed
that humans are
naturally inclined to
do good and avoid
evil
A misinformed
conscience can
make a mistake that
leads to evil action
without evil intent
FOUR PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL LAW
1.
2.
3.
4.
Do good and avoid
evil.
Preservation of life.
Propagation and
education of
offspring.
The pursuit of truth
and a peaceful
society.
TEXTBOOK WORK
Read page 155 and complete the
following:
1. Answer Guiding Questions 1-2.
2. Summarize Jacques Maritain’s view of
natural law.
3. Summarize Thomas Aquinas’ view on
natural law and reason.
4. Summarize Thomas Aquinas’ view on
natural law and human law.