Theology III Final Exam

Morality

The goodness or evilness of an act

Relativism vs. absolutism

Relativism - theory that there are no moral rules that apply to all cultures or all people in one culture

Absolutism - there are universal moral truths which are unchanging regardless of place, time, culture, or person.

Consequentialist vs. Non-consequentialist theories

Consequentialist Theories

• Judge the morality of an action based on its outcomes or consequences.

• An action is right if it leads to good results, wrong if it leads to bad results.

• Example: Utilitarianism — maximize overall happiness or well-being.

Non-Consequentialist Theories

• Judge morality based on the nature of the action itself or adherence to rules, regardless of outcomes.

• Some actions are right or wrong inherently, no matter the consequences.

• Example: Deontology (Kantian ethics) — duty and rules matter most.

Utilitarianism

• belief that the morally right action in any situation is that which produces the greatest balances of benefits over harms for everyone affected.

Egoism

• Theory that a choice is the right choice if it promotes the agent’s (decision-maker) long-term best interest

Enlightened egoism

• type of egoism that allows for the well-being of others, yet one’s own self-interest remains the primary concern

• Tends to seek win-win situations where both benefit

Deontology

-approach to ethics that judges the morality of an action based on the action’s adherence to rules.

-Describe as duty or obligation, b/c rules ‘binds’ you to your duty

Kant’s categorical imperative

• Absolute moral rules that are binding under all circumstances

• Respect the dignity of each individual (treat each person as an end itself, not as a means to an end)

Virtue ethics

• An ethical philosophy claiming that morality’s primary function is to develop virtuous character

• Happiness achieved by acting with virtue

Principle

• a basic or fundamental truth that is used to support a line or reading, a belief, or a way of behaving

Nominal vs. real definition

• Nominal - assigns a name to a thing

• Real - tries to get the essence of the thing you are defining

Human being and human person

• Human being = member of the species Homo sapiens distinguished from other animals by free will, soul, and intellect

• Human person = refers to a human being who has rights that deserve to be protected under the law

Soul

• the spiritual part of human beings

Intellect

• the ability to rationalize and understand our choices

Free Will

• ability to act by one’s own choice

Consistent ethic of life

• moral philosophy rooted in Catholic teaching that argues that all human life is sacred and must be protected consistently— from conception to natural death.

Culture of life vs. culture of death

• culture of Life = worldview that respects, protects, and values all human life as sacred—from conception to natural death

• Worldview that devalues human life, treating it as disposable or based on convenience, utility, productivity

Sacrament

• efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.

• The visible sign of an invisible grace

Grace

• underserved gifts from God

• Helps us combat sin and become holy

Efficacious

• capable of producing a desired effect

Form and matter

• form = the traditional words used for the sacraments

• Matter = The traditional physical element(s) and/or gestures used in the sacraments

• Must be used properly and present to make a sacrament valid

Jesus

• the “primordial sacrament”

• B/c his is “God with us,” an efficacious sign of God’s presence

• Points to God’s love and brings it b/c he is the incarnate son of God

Christ’s 3-fold mission

• baptized are called to live this out

• Of priest, prophet, and king

Priest (represents what)

Sacrificial efforts to bring others to God

Prophet (represents what)

• witness to truth through word and deed

King (represents what)

• lead others and advance the Kingdom of God

Sacraments of Initation

• Baptism

• Confirmation

• Eucharist

Baptism

• washes away original, genial, and mortal sin

• Adopts us into God’s family, uniting all

• Unites us to Christ (changed perm.)

• Given an indelible “character”

  • Can only be received once

• Called to live out Christ’s 3-fold mission

Baptism of blood

• says that an unbaptized Christian can attain forgiveness of sin and experience God’s saving mercy thru martyrdom, dying for one’s faith

Baptism of desire

• Says that a catechumen, one who is preparing to be initiated into the church through prayer and study, dies before receiving baptism can receive forgiveness of sin and experience God’s saving mercy

Confirmation

• Instituted by Jesus when He promised the outpouring of the Holy SPirit, which was fulfilled at Pentecost

• “personal Pentecost” Recipient receives the Gift of the Holy Spirit and is strengthened to spread and defend the faith in word and deed

• Received only one, provides an indelible spiritual “character”

• Laying on of hands, anointing with oil (Chrism)

Eucharist

• Refers to Mass and consecrated species of bread and wine

• Commemorates and celebrates our salvation through the Paschal Mystery

  • “source and summit of Christian life”

  • Real prescience - transubstantiation

• Receive as often as possible (“in state of grace”)

Parts of Eucharist

1. Liturgy of the Word

2. Liturgy of the Eucharist

Sacraments of Healing

• Penance and Reconcilation

• Anointing of the Sick

Penance and Reconciliation

• process:

  • Expressing and feeling true contrition

  • Recalling and confessing all sins

  • Listening to te priests advice anc counsel

  • Doing penance

• Priest acts in-persona Christi to mediate the act between you and God

  • Become pure and receive spiritual counseling

Reconciliation

• “to join together again”

• Process of restoring a broken relationship with God caused by sin

Contrition

• heartfelt sorrow for sins committed, along with the intention of sinning no more

Confession

• Act of acknowledging and admitting one’s sins, either privately to God or publicly (often to a priest or community), in order to seek forgiveness and spiritual healing

Penance

• a voluntary action done to sow remorse for sin and to repair the damage caused

• Ex. Prayer, fasting, making amends, etc.

Absolution

• the prayer by which a priest absolves a repentant sinner

Perfect vs. Imperfect contrition

• heartfelt sorrow for sins committed, along with the intention of sinning no more

• Vs. Confessing for the sake of it, coercion, fear of God, etc.

3 conditions of a mortal sin

• mortal sin - very serious sin that breaks a person’s friendship/relationship w God

• Conditions: grave matter, full knowledge, and full consent

Concupiscence

• human tendency or inclination to sin, resulting from original sin

Examination of conscience

• prayerfully reflecting on our words, attitudes, and actions and how well we have lived God’s covenant of love.

Anointing of the Sick

• contains sacraments of Penance and Reconcilation and Eucharist

• “Extreme unction”

• Received by ppl critically ill or dying

  • Sacrament of healing and preparing those wo are dying

  • Can help suffering ppl unite their sufferings to the Passion and Death of Jesus

Jesus’ teaching on the suffering

• taught that suffering is not meaningless — it can have purpose, and through it, we can grow closer to God and others

• Embraced suffering, especially through His Passion and Crucifixion, showing that love and sacrifice go hand in hand.

Divine Retribution

• belief that God punishes individuals or groups for their sins or wrongdoing.

• idea that justice is carried out by a higher power, often in the form of suffering, disaster, or misfortune as a consequence of immoral actions.

Vatican II’s Impact on the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

• Vatican II decided to revise the sacrament so that it is both a sacrament of healing and a sacrament to prepare those who are dying.

• Used to be known as “extreme unction”

Viaticum

• Eucharist given to a person in fear of death/near death with or without the Anointing of the Sick

Last Rites

• the three sacraments which together prepare a person to pass from this world to God

  • Reconciliation

  • Anointing of the Sick

  • Holy Communion (Eucharist)

Sacraments at the Service of Communion

• Holy Orders

• Matrimony

Holy Orders

• Sacrament by which men are ordained to be a deacon, priest, or bishop

• Mission: building up, guiding the church

  • Bishops and priests act “in persona Christi” representing Christ on local level

• Take a vow of celibacy - renunciation of marriage/sex

• Provides an indelible mark, a “character” like Baptism and Confirmation

3 degrees of Holy Orders

• deacon

• Priest

• Bishop

Deacon role

• assist bishops, priests

• Involves in parishes, hospitals, and prisons

• Perform 2 sacraments

Priest role

• day-to-day spiritual care of the local parish

• Performs 5 sacraments

• Represent Christ on local level “in persona Christi”

Bishop role

• primary faith leaders

• Ultimately diocesan authority

• Led by Pope, the bishop of Rome

• Represent Christ on the local level “in persona Christi”

• Perform 7 sacraments

Matrimony

• The sacrament by which a baptized man and a baptized woman, in accordance with God's design from the beginning, are joined in an intimate union of life and love

• This union is ordered to the mutual benefit of the spouses and the procreation and education of children

Genesis 2:24

• “That is why a man leaves his father and mother is united to his wife, and they become one flesh”

• Symbolizes deep unity and commitment.

• This verse establishes the foundation for lifelong partnership in God's design.

Principles of reason

• non-contradiction

• Objective evidence

• Complete explanation

Non-contradiction

• something can’t be both X and not-X in the same respect at the same place and time

Complete Explanation

• the best explanation is the one which accounts for the most data

Objective evidence

• for a claim to be reasonable, you must provide evidence that can be verified by others

Ten Universal Principles of Civilization

1. Principle of Beneficence

2. Principle of Noncontradiction

3. Principle of Complete Explanation

4. Principle of Objective Evidence

5. Principle of Nonmaleficence

6. Principle of Consistent Ends & Means

7. Principle of Full Human Potential

8. Principle of Natural Rights

9. Principle of Hierarchy of Rights

10. Principle of Limits to Freedom

Definition of human personhood

• quality or state of being a human being with unique dignity, self-awareness, rationality, and moral responsibility

• Recognizes that every individual is a distinct person deserving of respect and rights simply by being human

Beginning-of-life issues

• induced abortion

• Spontaneous abortion

• Prenatal testing

• In-vitro fertilization

• Surrogacy

• Conception/fertilization

• Stem cells

• Embryonic stem cells

• Genetic engineering

Induced abortion

• an intentional act which ens a pregnancy by directly/indirectly causing the death of an embryo/fetus

Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage)

• when the embryo/fetus dies unintentionally due to smth wrong with the pregnancy or traumatic injury

Prenatal testing

• testing the embryo/fetus for diseases or birth defects while he/she is still in the womb

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

• medicinal procedure by which an egg is fertilized by sperm outside of the body

• Ex. In a test tube or Petri dish

Surrogacy

• bearing a child on behalf of another person

Conception/fertilization

• when life begins

• Human being emerges as a whole, genetically distinct, individuated zygotic living human organism, a member of the species Homo sapiens, needing only the proper environment to grow/develop.

Stem cell research

• use of stem cells, unique cells which reproduce as different human tissues and organs

Embryonic stem cells

• stem cells that derive from embryos

• Unique cells that have the potential to reproduce as different tissues and organs

• Results in the death of the embryo, making morally impermissable

Genetic engineering

• manipulation of an ovum or fetus‘ genetic coding

End-of-life issues

• euthanasia

• Physician assisted suicide

• Capital punishment

• War and legitimate defense

Euthanasia

• to deliberate cause the death of a human being with the intention of ending his/her suffering

• Can be deliberate action or lack of action

• May have been requested in advance by patient or choice of caregivers

Capital punishment

• the infliction by due legal process of the penalty of death as a punishment for a crime

• Illegal in a lot of states/countries

Physician assisted suicide

• when a physician helps someone to commit suicide, without actively participating in the final deadly act

• Ex. Writing prescription for a deadly dose of drugs for the patient to self-administer

War and legitimate defense

• Legitimate defense (self-defense) is the right to protect oneself or others from unjust aggression.

• War can be considered morally justifiable only if it meets strict conditions (just cause, right intention, last resort, proportionality) — this is called Just War Theory.

• The goal of legitimate defense, whether personal or national (war), is to restore peace and protect innocent life, not to pursue revenge or aggression.

Sacramental worldview

• view that the world is a gift from God

• Strives to discover God in all things

• Serves as a sacrament for others

• Someone’s filled with a sense of gratitude, wonder, and awe for all one’s blessings

Principles of Ethics

• Principle of Nonmaleficence

• Principle of Consistent Ends and Means

• Principle of Full Human Potential

Principle of Nonmaleficence

• do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you (Silver Rule)

Principle of Beneficence

• do unto others what you would have them do unto you (Golden Rule)

Principle of Consistent Ends and Means

• the ends do not justify the means

Principle of Full Human Potential

• every human being deserves to be valued according to what he is capable of achieving at his highest potential

• not according to the development he has achieved at a particular time.

Principle of Justice

• Principle of Natural Rights

• Principle of Hierarchy of Rights

• Principle of Limits to Freedom

Principle of Natural Rights

• all human beings in themselves have the inalienable right to life, liberty, and property ownership

Principle of Hierarchy of Rights

• Any right which is a necessary condition for the very possibility of another right’s existence is the more fundamental right

• In a conflict of rights, the more fundamental right should take priority

Principle of Limits to Freedom

• creating a new right for some people is wrong if it becomes a burdensome duty for others.

3 features that separate a human from an animal

1. Soul

2. Intellect

3. Free will

1st level of happiness

• Physical pleasure and possessions

  • Immediate gratification

1st level of happiness crises

• temporary and fleeting

• Lead to addiction, withdrawal, depression, emptiness, frustration, restlessness, un-fulfillment, etc.

2nd level of happiness

• Ego-gratification

  • Feeling happy through accomplishments, winning, status, or recognition from others

2nd level of happiness crises

• depends on external approval

• Leads to comparison, competition, pride, contempt, jealousy, anxiety, fear of failure, emptiness, etc.

3rd level of happiness

• Ultimate good

  • Doing good, living morally, and having meaningful relationships

  • Deeper fulfillment from living

3rd level of happiness crises

• Requires self-discipline and sacrifice

• imperfection in themselves and others, frustration, doubt, discouragement, dashed expectations, low self-esteem, neglecting self, etc.

4th level of happiness

• God

• Spiritual fulfillment and union with the ultimate truth

• Finding joy through transcending self, embracing unconditional love, and discovering life’s ultimate meaning

4th level of happiness crises

• requires faith and surrender, can be difficult to accept or understand

• Doubt, feelings of isolation, feelings of rejection, running away from God

Theological Theme of Baptism

• Cleanses original, venial, and mortal sin and initiates the person into the Christian community, uniting all Christians

• Marks spiritual rebirth as a child of God.

Theological Theme of Eucharist

• Unites the believer with Christ through receiving His Body and Blood.

• Strengthens the soul and deepens one’s participation in the Church.