Catholic Values Exam 3 Study Guide

What are moral norms?

Criteria for judging actions and determining what kind of person one is becoming. They often come from community experience, providing consistency and stability.

Are any moral norms absolute?

Yes, according to the Catholic Church, some moral norms are absolute, meaning they are universally and unchangingly binding on all people. According to Thomas Aquinas, yes, some moral norms are absolute. If we all act according to reason, then we will all agree to some overarching general rules.

Do moral norms generally follow positive law?

Yes but not always. There are things wrong morally that aren’t put forth into any actionable legal understanding. Things in the law can be immoral, etc.

What are formal norms?

Acknowledging things through experience that the community has come to understand in a particular way.

Fixed points of divine revelation.

What are material norms?

Moral guidelines that specify concrete actions or behaviors as good or bad. They provide specific content for moral decision-making, unlike formal norms, which are more general principles.

What are the limits to material norms?

1. Limited expressions of moral truth.

2. They are limited by history, and also language

What are synthetic terms?

Combining multiple moral elements – values, norms, consequences, etc. – into one decision.

What are virtually exceptionless material norms?

Material norms that are considered to have little to no exceptions, such as 'do not perform medical experiments without consent'.

What is the relationship of moral norms and imagination?

Imagination helps apply abstract norms to real life situations, allowing us to envision outcomes of moral decisions before acting, providing a space to reflect without harm.

What is polygyny vs. polygamy?

Polygyny is one man, multiple wives; polygamy is multiple spouses.

Should cultural adaptations be made to moral norms? Why or why not?

Yes, Farley and others suggest that norms should adapt to historical, cultural, and experiential changes. Contemporary theologians argue for updates to Catholic moral teachings based on this.

What are traditional marriage roles vs. modern understanding?

Traditional patriarchal models have shaped marriage roles, but modern understanding stresses equal partnership in love and life.

Is parenting innate or learned?

Parenting involves both natural inclination and learning. Humans have a predisposition to care for and educate children.

Who should we marry, according to Aquinas?

Aquinas suggests 'If you’re going to marry, marry a friend.' Friendship in marriage promotes other-centered love, growth, and holiness.

What is the difference between civil and religious marriage?

Civil marriage is a legal contract established by the state

Religious marriage, god is being brought into the relationship, and asking for gods assistance and support in the future. Idea of covenant and gods fidelity to us.

What is imago Dei?

The concept that everyone is created in the image of God.

What does Aquinas mean when he says, 'all friendship is love, but not all love is friendship'?

Friendship implies mutuality and other-centered care, and is considered the highest form of love when applied to marriage.

What are the strengths of social media?

Strengths include education, connection, and community for marginalized groups.

What are the weaknesses of social media?

Weaknesses include distraction, misinformation, reduced empathy, and reinforcement of biases.

What are the recently recognized effects of electronic time spent?

The avg American spends 11 hours a day on a screen of some kind. Computer, tablet, phone, tv. Almost half of the 24 hour day.

How does global internet access affect individuals?

19 million Americans (6%) lack internet access, and globally, nearly half the population lacks access, creating feelings of isolation and exclusion.

How should social media be used morally and effectively?

It should be used in a way that is respectful and responsible. Letting go of things that have hurt us in the past (social media). Reaffirming our own self-worth and identity

What is the definition of 'Natural Law'?

Human participation in eternal law through reason, believed to be discoverable by all people through reason and experience.

What are the origins of Natural Law understanding?

The understanding originates from the Stoics, Greeks, and Romans: Stoics believed conforming to natural order leads to moral behavior, Aristotle suggested nature leads to perfection through reason, and Romans connected natural law with civil order.

What does the Bible say about natural law?

It mentions 'nature,' especially in wisdom literature and Paul’s letters, but does not explicitly define Natural Law.

What is jus civile?

Civil law within a society. Regulates civil rights within an autonomous society.

What is jus gentium?

Laws between societies. Regulates relationships between legally autonomous territories.

What is jus naturelle?

Represents Instinctual laws, common to all animals (including humans).

What was Thomas Aquinas's contribution to Natural Law?

He blended Stoic physicalism and Aristotelian rationalism, reflecting that natural law mirrors eternal law and asserting core principles such as 'Do good and avoid evil'.

How did Aquinas categorize sexual activities based on biological nature?

Most grave: masturbation, contraception in marriage, homosexuality, bestiality. (No procreation)

Less grave: fornication, adultery, incest, rape. (Procreative potential)

What is the difference between physicalism and personalism?

Physicalism bases morality on bodily functions, while personalism focuses on the whole person (reason, emotion, intellect, experience), supported by contemporary theologians.

How has the role of reason in natural law changed over time?

Historically, reason was secondary to nature, but today, reason is central and helps navigate evolving understandings of morality and humanity.

What are the three cornerstone convictions of natural law in Catholic morality?

1. Natural law claims the existence of an objective moral order.

2. Natural law morality is accessible to anyone independently of one’s religious convictions.

3. The knowledge of moral value can be universalized.

What are contemporary emphases in natural law?

They are real (based on actual human life), experimental (learned through experience), consequential (long-term effects matter), historical (change is essential), proportional (most good with least harm), and personal (reflects individual experience and complexity).

What are the methods of moral decision-making?

The methods include deontological (focus on law and duty), teleological (focus on end goals), and relational-responsibility (focus on context and relationships).

What is a doctrinal judgment vs. a pastoral judgment?

A doctrinal judgment is a formal church teaching on faith or morals, while a pastoral judgment considers individual circumstances and offers compassion.

What challenges are involved in the steps for moral decision-making?

Steps include intention, action, consequences, norms, and values; morality is rarely black and white and must integrate reason and experience.

What is 'moral myopia'?

A limited or narrow moral perspective that fails to see beyond one's own beliefs or experiences.

What are the defining questions in moral analysis?

The questions include what, why, how, who, when, where, what if, and what else, ensuring a comprehensive moral analysis encompassing multiple perspectives.