UNIT 1
1. God; Humans cannot out of their own power achieve the supreme good
2. Freedom; If the supreme good is to be, in part, our achievement, then what we ought to do, we can do
3. Immortality; Achieving the supreme good is an immense task. It is impossible to obtain it completely in this life
Describe the initial encounter with God. How does it impact the life of Moses?
An angel appears before Moses as a flame of fire out of a bush. Moses looked at the bush as it burnt instead of being consumed by the flames. He became fascinated and looked toward the bush when God called out to him from the bush.
How does Plato describe the good life?
“In contemplation we bask in the good and the good enters into our knowing. In contemplation it is as if the good radiates its warmth in us and through us to life”.
Who created the cognitive development stage theory?
Erik Erikson
What is Anthropocentrism?
From the Greek anthropos – man. A worldview that considers the human being as the most significant entity in the universe.
How did Levinas describe the good?
The "good" is not concerned in what is common among all things, but in what is absolutely unique about each person or thing.
What was Paul an instrument for God? And what did the Lord say to Ananias about Saul's actions?
Paul used his encounter with the Lord to reflect and fix his mistakes as a Jew. With his experience, his interpretations of Jesus’ teachings became widespread which allowed for many of the Jewish and Gentiles to transition to Christianity.
“Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; 16 I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name”.
Describe the common good?
The common good is the general well-being of all within society.
What are the 8 stages for cognitive development?
1. Trust versus mistrust
2. Autonomy versus shame and doubt
3. Initiative versus guilt
4. Industry versus inferiority
5. Identity versus identity confusion
6. Intimacy versus isolation
7. Generativity versus stagnation
8. Integrity versus despair
What is Theocentrism?
A worldview that considers God to be the most significant entity in the universe.
In the teleological ethics of Aristotle, how is it described to act ethically?
To act ethically, therefore, is to engage our capacity to reason as we develop good character.
What are the 3 main challenges faced by the early Church?
1. The period of Jewish Christianity (AD 30–130)
2. The period of Greek and European Christianity (AD 50–1964)
3. The period of global Christianity (1960–present)
What are the 3 components of a Catholic approach to ethics and morality?
Natural ethics, the role of obligation, and the impact of the gospel.
Who was the cognitive psychologist who applied development psychology specifically to moral development?
Lawrence Kohlberg
What are the purpose of the 5 precepts? What are the 5 precepts?
They are the very necessary minimum for life. Without the precepts, our connection with the Church to God is not there.
1. Going to mass on Sundays & Holy day of obligation
2. Go to confession at least once a year
3. Receive Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter season
4. Observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.
5. To provided for the materials needs of the Church according to your ability
What are Richard Gula's three tasks for guiding mora life of the Church?
1. The Church shapes moral character.
2. The Church guards and maintains moral tradition.
3. The Church is a community of moral deliberation whenever and wherever moral issues emerge.
Who introduced the virtues of faith, hope and charity into the ethical discussion?
St. Thomas Aquinas
What are the threes stages in Lawrence Kohlberg's developmental psychology?
1. Pre-conventional moral thinking
2. Conventional moral thinking
3. Post-conventional moral thinking
What does it mean to be a practicing Catholic?
1. Observe the 10 commandments
2. Assent to Church Teachings
3. Do your best to follow the 5 precepts of the Catholic Church
What are the 6 aspects of the human person that are important for ethics? What are the 3 senses of conscience?
What are the 6 aspects of the human person that are important for ethics?
1. The importance of others
2. The importance of having a direction in life
3. The importance of communication and language
4. The importance of character and one’s body
5. The importance of conscience
6. The importance of the development of one’s conscience
What are the 3 senses of conscience?
1. Conscience as a capacity to recognize right and wrong
2. Conscience as a process of moral reasoning
3. Conscience as a judgment
What is a call story? What are the structure for a call story?
The Bible contains a number of stories of God calling people and imparting to them a mission. They follow the pattern of encounter with God, God speaks, God gives a mission, the person being called objects, they are reassured by God, and God gives a sign that God is with them in their mission. When God calls us, God does not leave us alone.
1. Confrontation with God
2. Introductory Speech
3. Imparting of a mission
4. Objection by the prophet-to-be
5. Reassurance by God
6. The sign
Who said that reason finds the good that pervades everything?
Plato said that reason finds the good that pervades everything.
Which philosopher is responsible for changing our understanding of "Freedom" in the West?
Rene Descartes
How are we living our lives as practical atheists?
We often make decisions without the consideration of the teachings of the Lord.