Faith
The idea that the body communicates truth, especially through actions, and should express authentic love and self-giving according to God’s design.
Language of the Body
The surrounding conditions that affect an action, such as who, when, where, or how.
Circumstance
The purpose or reason why a person performs an action.
Intention
Lack of knowledge that a person could and should have corrected through reasonable effort.
Vincible Ignorance
The belief that pleasure is the highest good and primary goal in life.
Hedonism
Sexual relations between a married person and someone who is not their spouse.
Adultery
The study of the human person from a Christian perspective, recognizing each person as created in the image and likeness of God.
Christian Anthropology
The specific action chosen by a person; what is actually being done.
Moral Object
A conscience that judges incorrectly because it is based on false information or poor moral formation.
Erroneous Conscience
Excessive self-focus or self-love that places personal desires above the good of others.
Narcissism
A hormone released during bonding experiences, including physical affection, that strengthens emotional attachment.
Oxytocin
A way of seeing another person as an object to be used rather than as a person to be loved and respected.
Ethos of the Image
A conscience that too easily excuses sinful behavior or fails to recognize wrongdoing.
Lax Conscience
A conscience properly formed by truth, reason, prayer, and Church teaching.
Informed Conscience
The belief that there are no absolute moral truths and that right and wrong depend on personal opinion or cultural beliefs.
Moral Relativism
A way of viewing others with purity, recognizing their dignity as persons made in God’s image.
Ethos of the Seer
Sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons.
Fornication
The degree of responsibility a person has for a sinful action.
Culpability
The belief that life has no objective meaning, purpose, or moral truth.
Nihilism
The cardinal virtue that helps us control our desires and use created things in moderation.
Temperance
In Catholic teaching, the mutual self-giving and loving cooperation between spouses rooted in respect and sacrificial love.
Submission
The comparison of God’s relationship with His people to the loving, faithful union of husband and wife.
Spousal Analogy
Lack of knowledge that a person could not reasonably overcome or correct.
Invincible Ignorance
The belief that one deserves special privileges or treatment without earning them.
Entitlement
The cardinal virtue that gives us courage and strength to do what is right, even when it is difficult.
Fortitude