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Chapter Two

Chapter Two. Making Moral Decisions. Life’ Main Struggle Between Good and Evil. Figuring out the right thing to do Summoning up the courage to do the right thing. “ Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine perspiration “. Science and Morality take HARD WORK AND EFFORT.

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Chapter Two

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  1. Chapter Two Making Moral Decisions

  2. Life’ Main Struggle Between Good and Evil Figuring out the right thing to do Summoning up the courage to do the right thing

  3. “ Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine perspiration “ Science and Morality take HARD WORK AND EFFORT

  4. Right Reason in Action Prudence The moral virtue that inclines us to lead good, ethical, and moral lives of action; “right reason in action,” as St. Thomas Aquinas said.

  5. Right Reason in Action • Prudence is necessary for correctjudgment. • Prudence forms our character and helps us to more easily make good choices and then act on them. • Prudence governs other virtues because it guides them by setting rules and measures

  6. Prudence Grows When We Are Open God’s Grace Personal Experience Honest Evaluation Of Our Mistakes

  7. Right Reason in Action A decision-making process that attends to the implications and consequences of an action or choice. Discernment

  8. IF I THINK IT’S RIGHT, DOES THAT MAKE IT RIGHT? SUBJECTIVE REALITY: That which I perceive to be true OBJECTIVE REALITY: That which actually exist, fact

  9. A SNAKE BIT 1. What was the boy’s subjective reality? 2. What was the boy’s objective reality? 3. What does this snake story illustrate about the difference between subjective and objective perceptions? About why it’s important to seek objective truth? 4. What point might the story illustrate about the need to understand and apply church teachings and consult others’ wisdom in forming and following our conscience? 5. How might this incident represent the way sin or strong desires can mislead us in moral matters? Give examples.

  10. Feelings and Morality Feelings : Are neither good or bad Can steer us toward good or bad Can’t always control the fact that certain feeling arise, but can control the extent in which we let them influence our decisions Manage emotions sensibly, rather than repress them or unleash them indiscriminately Repress: to hold back so as to keep from natural expression Morality isn’t purely subjective – must be based on objective reality Therefore what is morally right for you is not what you feel or want, but one which follow the steps of decision making

  11. Right Reason in Action Search out the facts STOP Think about the various alternatives and consequences Pray Others

  12. Search Out The Facts • Includes the following questions • Three major aspects of every moral action • What…moralobject • Why… motive and intention • Who, When, Where, How…Circumstances

  13. Search Out the Facts Moral Object What is the content or “matter” of our moral decisions WHAT Objective Moral Norm Helps reveal to us whether the matter of our action is good or bad

  14. Search out the Facts • Moral Object • Actions consist of some of the following elements: • Actions express who we are • Actions make or form us into the persons we are growing to be • Actions impact the world around us, doing good or bringing about harm

  15. Search out the Facts Moral ObjectObjective Moral Norm The moral content of an action that suggests whether the action is directed toward the true good.

  16. Search out the Facts • Two Rules of Morality • Your acts must promote the true good of humans or they are wrong. • Make sure your actions always conform to objective norms of morality like the Ten Commandments.

  17. Search out the Facts Intention The aim or objective of a course of action; WHY? The end, purpose or reason for doing something

  18. Search out the Facts • Intention • Reside in the will of the person • Subjective dimension in morality • Is targeted at the goal of an action, what good (or evil) I want to happen. • Why am I doing this?

  19. Search out the Facts • Intention • Rules for governing intentions: • Keep the intention good – for something to be morally good both the action and intention must be good. • The end does not justify the means – for an action to be moral, the means must be moral

  20. Search out the Facts means A method, course of action , or instrument by which something can be accomplished

  21. Search out the Facts The answers to questions that begin with who, where, when, and how The conditions or facts attending an event and having some bearing on it. Can increase or decrease the moral goodness or evil of an action. circumstances

  22. Search out the Facts Circumstances Circumstances of themselves cannot change the moral quality of acts themselves; they can make neither good nor right an action that is in itself evil (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1754)

  23. Think About the Alternatives and Consequences • Alternatives • Until alternatives are considered, moral decisions should not be made. • Thinking out alternatives involves creativity and dreaming.

  24. Think About the Alternatives and Consequences • Consequences • We should never act without considering the consequences of our actions. • Consequences are not the only or decisive factor in the morality of actions; the moral object is the decisive factor. • Ask the following question: Would I be willing to allow everyone in a similar situation to act this way?

  25. Others • Be Considerate of Others • We must always ask how our proposed actions will affect others. • We must heed the advice of those who are wiser than us.

  26. Others • Be Consultive of Others • Consult with people who have made tough decisions before and take their advice. • The Church and its Magisterium • Forming our consciences only after considering the good of all, and paying attention to the moral law as taught by the Church’s Magisterium, is a proven way to discern and do God’s will.

  27. Pray • Christian moral living is sustained by prayer. • The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines prayer as “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 (2565) • Prayer is a conversation with God consisting of two parts: talking and listening.

  28. EXTENT OF RESPONSIBILITY • Responsibility … how you respond to a situation and your ability to: • Awareness • Intention/Motives • Risk and Benefits of the consequences ( immediate and long range) • Act/Decision • Accept Consequences

  29. LAW Moral law : you determine what is best Legal Law: someone else decides what is best

  30. ACCIDENT You are NOT CAPABLE OF KNOWING that the injury might result from your action You were NOT REASONABLY EXPECTED TO KNOW what might happen NO LEGAL OR MORAL RESPONSIBILITY ( no awarenesss)

  31. NegligenceCould and should have known what might happen…AWARENESS Careless Negligence Gross Negligence Occurs where someone exercises no amount of care and has no concern for the consequences Awareness therefore you are legally and morally responsible • Exist when someone does not exercise a reasonable amount of care • Awareness therefore you are legally and morally responsible

  32. Deliberate IntentionsSomeone Deliberately Intends The Harmful Consequence Deliberate Indirect Intent Deliberate Direct Intent When one plans and calculates for the harm to happen Greatest moral and legal responsibility • One knows the harm that can result, but does not intend the harm, yet does the action anyway • Greatest moral and legal responsibility

  33. Accept Responsibility Take action… make the correct decision Trust your judgment because you are responsible for the decision Accept the consequences of your choice Don’t blame and wine Learn from your mistakes Be honest with yourself Assuming the risk is agreeing to accept the consequences

  34. Vocabulary Prudence Discernment Moral object Intention Means Circumstances Subjective Reality Objective Reality Accident Careless negligence Gross Negligence Deliberate indirect Intention Deliberate direct Intention

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