Morality LAP 3 study guide

• Details from Augustine’s life, especially those that relate to the development of his ideas

• Agustine of Hippo was a philodpher sand theolalgian whose early life was marked by struggles of sin, sensual pleasure, and ambition. His experiences deeply shaped his views on sin and grace 

• he lived a life of indulgence and sin before converting to Christianity. His journey from a sinner to a theologian is central to his theological writings 

• Autobiography & The Confessions

• One of the most influential works in christian theology. His autobiography shows his journey from sin to conversion. It tells of sinful youth, his search for truth, and his eventual conversion

• he reflects on the grace of God, which played a crucial role in his transformation

• Original Sin

• We inherit a broken nature from Adam and Eve and need God’s grace, which is always washed away through baptism. This sin creates a separation between humanity and God 

Monica

• His Christian mother who prayed nonstop for him. Key role in his conversion. 

Story of the Pear Tree

• He stole for no reason just for the pleasure of sin. He did not even want the pears. showing people sometimes sin is a desire itself.

• Ambrose of Milan

Bishop who helped lead Augustine to understand Scripture and convert.

• “Take and Read”

• Moment where a Bible verse changed his heart and led to conversion.

• Death of his childhood friend

• the death of his close friend, who was a pagan, caused Agustine to reflect on the meaning of life and death. deepening his search for truth and understanding of God

• Battles with the Donatists & Pelagius

• Donatism was a befirlft that the vadaity of sacraments depended on the moral character of teh priest. Agustisne opposed this view, arguing that the validity of the sacraments is not dependent on the priests holiness

• Pelagianism was a heretical view that denied origina sin and taught that human beings could archive salvation through their effrorts. Agustine strongly opposed Pelagius, teaching that grace is essential for salvation 

• Sin as…separation; privation; slavery

• Separation: Sin separates individuals from God and one another 

• Privation: Agustine described sin as the absence or corruption of god, a “privation” of the good that God created

• Slavery: Agustine views sin as a form of bondage, where humans are enslaved to their passions and desires 

• Genesis 3

• The Fall story of Adam and Eve explaining how sin entered the world.

• The wages of sin is death

• Sin leads to spiritual and physical death.

Grace

• God’s help that heals sin and gives real freedom.

• 3 Sources of the Moral Life

• Scripture: God’s revealed word 

• Tradition: the teachings of teh Church and Christian communities 

• Reason: Human capacity for descerning good and evil

• Types of Sin

• Mortal (How do you know if mortal sin?)

  • Serious sin done knowingly and freely that breaks your relationship with God.

• Venial

  • Lesser sin that weakens but doesn’t destroy your relationship with God.

• Social

  • Sin built into groups, systems, or society.

• How do you know if a law is good?

• A law is good if it helps people do what is right, protects human dignity, promotes the common good, and lines up with moral truth.

• Eternal Law

God’s master plan for the whole universe; the way God designed everything to work

• Natural Law

• The part of Eternal Law that humans can understand using reason (our brains).

• Basic moral rules we naturally know, like “do good, avoid evil.”

• Human (Civil) law

• Laws made by governments.

• They’re only good if they follow Natural Law and protect people.

Divine Law-

• Laws that God reveals directly to us through Scripture.

Old Law

• The Law of Moses (Ten Commandments).

• Shows right and wrong but doesn’t give us the power to overcome sin.

• New Law

• The Law of Christ (Jesus’ teachings).

• Focuses on love, mercy, and interior conversion; gives grace to help us live it out.

• Church law (Canon Law)

• Rules made by the Church to help Catholics live out their faith and stay united. Included moral teachings, liturgical practices and church governance 

Grace

• God’s free help that strengthens us to choose the good and grow in holiness. (assistance from God)

• Telos/Teleology vs. Deontology

• Teleology (Telos = purpose/end): An action is good if it leads to its proper purpose or good outcome.

• Deontology: An action is good based on the action itself—some things are always right or wrong no matter the outcome.

• Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Morality

• Intrinsic morality: The action is good or bad in itself (built-in).

• Extrinsic morality: The morality depends on outside factors (circumstances, consequences).

• Intellect and Will

• Intellect: The ability to know and understand what is true and good.

• Will: The ability to choose the good once you know it.

• Moral Object

• The action itself — what you are choosing to do.

• It must be good for the whole action to be good.

Intention

• Why you are doing something; your purpose or motive.

Circumstances

• The details around the action (who, when, where, how).

• They can make an action better or worse but cannot change an evil action into a good one.

• Moral vs. Immoral Action

• Moral: Good object + good intention + acceptable circumstances.

• Immoral: Bad object OR bad intention OR bad circumstances.

• Objective vs. Subjective

• Objective: The real truth about the action, independent of feelings.

• Subjective: How the person feels, thinks, or understands the situation

Alternatives

• Other choices you could make.

• A good moral decision requires looking at all the options.

Consequences

• The results of your action — what will likely happen because of your choice.

• Common Good

• What benefits all people, protects rights, and helps everyone flourish.

Prudence

• The virtue of making wise decisions: thinking before acting, choosing the right thing

• 3 Sources of the Moral Life

• Moral object (what)

• Intention (why)

• circumstances (the situation)

• Conscience (What it is and what it is not)

• Conscience IS:

  • Your inner judgment of right and wrong.

  • Reason applied to morality.

• Conscience is NOT:

  • Just a feeling.

  • A “little voice” you’re born knowing.

  • Doing whatever you want.

• Certain vs. Uncertain conscience

• Certain conscience: You are confident you know the right thing.

• Uncertain conscience: You’re unsure what is right and need more information.

• Following your conscience

• You must follow your conscience when it is certain—even if it later turns out to be mistaken.

• Forming your conscience

• Learning right and wrong through:

  • Scripture

  • Church teaching

  • Prayer

  • Good advice

  • Education and experience

  • A well-formed conscience matches moral truth.

• Erroneous Conscience

• A conscience that judges incorrectly (thinks something wrong is good or something good is wrong).

• Can come from ignorance, bad habits, bad influences, or lack of moral formation.