Chapter Eight Review
Summary
• "Moral norms are the criteria of judgment about the sorts of persons we ought to be and the sorts of actions we ought to
perform." Norms promote and protect values. They come in different forms - laws, rules, principles, commandments, and
maxims - and carry varying degrees of obligation.
• Kant's maxim: "Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any
other, never simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end." The person is always to be treated as an end,
never as a means. As Christians we find a resonance of this maxim in the Golden Rule of Jesus: "Do to others as you
would have them do to you." (Luke 6.31)
• Law is commonly understood as a guide for human action. As we use it here, law refers to the judgment of a lawmaker
about the means necessary for the common good.
• Rules are not strictly legislated but are nevertheless obligatory guidelines for action. Rules indicate how we ought to
behave in certain situations, and can be absolute, generally binding, or relative.
• Moral principles are basic truths we use to set rules of conduct. In moral
Glossary
reasoning, we use principles to measure moral obligation or to determine how
common good: The general well-being of all within
to act in particular situations.
society.
• Natural law affirms that human beings have the capacity, through reason, to
inclination: Natural disposition towards a perceived
discover the good. As Thomas Aquinas says, "The natural law is nothing
good. Related to passions.
other than the light of understanding placed in us by God; through it we know
law: The judgment of a lawmaker about the means
what we must do and what we must avoid."
necessary to promote and protect the common good.
• To do what is good while considering all these norms, laws, rules and prinmaxim: A general truth or rule of conduct.
ciples also requires prudence. The prudent person is the wise person who has
moral principle: Basic truths used to determine rules
the ability to do good and avoid evil.
of conduct. In moral reasoning, principles are used to
measure moral obligation or to determine how to act in
particular situations.
natural law: The original moral sense which enables
people to discern by reason what is good and what is
evil, what is true and what is a lie.
norm: Norms are guides for action. They come in the
form of laws, rules, principles, commandments, and
maxims. They come with varying degrees of obligation.
obligation: Something you are bound to do by duty;
your responsibility.
passion: Feelings, desires or emotions. Morally
speaking, they are neither good nor evil in themselves,
but are morally good when they contribute to a good
action, and morally evil when they contribute to an evil
action.
proverb: A brief, popular saying or adage containing a
nugget of wisdom.
rule: A prescribed guide for conduct or action.
Review questions
Knowledge and understanding
1. Explain the distinctions between norms, laws and rules.
2. Describe the relationship between passions and inclinations on the one
hand, and norms, laws and rules on the other.
Thinking and inquiry
3. How is "natural law" a moral principle, and not a law like other laws?
4. Write a brief essay on why the moral principle of "concern for the most vulnerable members of society" is a key part of Christian moral teaching.
Communication
5. Using your daily news media (newspapers, TV, radio, Internet), develop a
creative presentation on how rules and laws are needed to protect and promote the common good of your community.
6. Drawing on the Book of Proverbs and on conventional wisdom, develop a
creative presentation of moral maxims for young people today.
Application
7. Explore how your school rules contribute to the common good of your school
community. What improvements would you recommend, and why?
Glossary
common good: The general well-being of all within society.
inclination: Natural disposition towards a perceived good. Related to passions.
law: The judgment of a lawmaker about the means necessary to promote and protect the common good.
maxim: A general truth or rule of conduct.
moral principle: Basic truths used to determine rules of conduct. In moral reasoning, principles are used to measure moral
obligation or to determine how to act in particular situations.
natural law: The original moral sense which enables people to discern by reason what is good and what is evil, what is true and
what is a lie.
norm: Norms are guides for action. They come in the form of laws, rules, principles, commandments, and maxims. They come with
varying degrees of obligation.
obligation: Something you are bound to do by duty; your responsibility.
passion: Feelings, desires or emotions. Morally speaking, they are neither good nor evil in themselves, but are morally good when
they contribute to a good action, and morally evil when they contribute to an evil action.
proverb: A brief, popular saying or adage containing a nugget of wisdom.
rule: A prescribed guide for conduct or action