Philosophy and Ethics - Summary

What is the revelation?

God revealing himself or showing something of himself.

What is the Bible, in connection to revelation?

The most important source of revelation and helps lead Catholics to God.

How do Catholics use revelation?

To mean the ways in which God has made himself known to humans. He is communicating and teaching. Christians may believe that revelation is proof of his existence.

Who did God first reveal himself to?

The people of Israel.

What did God say to Moses from a burning bush?

"I am who I am" *Exodus 3:14*

What do Catholics believe that Jesus is?

The final revelation of God - that God no longer spoke at a distance but came down to Earth in human form.

"in these days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things" *Hebrews 1:2*

What does SOWAA can we use for the existence of God in relation to Jesus?

Hebrews 1:3

Who was this revelation first given to?

The apostles then passed on to the community now called the Church. This revelation is now recorded in the Bible and is guaranteed by the Church as being a faithful record of God's revelation.

What does the revelation show about God?

- He sent Jesus as a sacrifice for God.
- God sent Jesus out of love for humans.
- God sent Jesus to save humans and lead them back to faith.

What is a vision?

A visual experience, usually of Jesus, Mary, an angel or another saint.

What could a vision be seen as?

A private revelation. However, Catholics will only accept one if it does not contradict anything taught by the Church.

What can visions take the form of?

*Corporeal Visions:* physically seeing something.
*Imaginative Visions:* seeing something in dreams.

In the Old Testament, what is a biblical example of visions?

- Abraham is visited by God with a promise of protection and reward;

"Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great" *Genesis 15:1*

In the New Testament, what is a biblical example of visions?

-During the transfiguration of Jesus, Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus, Peter, James and John.

"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him" *Matthew 17:5*

What are some non-biblical examples of visions?

- In 1424 a peasant called Joan (later Joan of Arc) had visions of Saints Michael, Catherine and Margaret.
- She was instructed to force the English from their French homeland.
- After convincing the French military leaders, she helped them to victory.
- She was captured by the English and burnt at the stake as a heretic, aged 19.

What are some reasons why visions might lead people to believe in God?

- Visions can be powerful, personal experiences, giving great strength and faith.
- Examples from the Bible and history allow people to interpret their own visions in a religious way.
- Private revelations are rare, but may help prove the existence of God.

What are some reasons why visions might not be accepted as proof for God's existence?

- There is often no lasting or physical proof of visions.
- They could be hallucinations, misunderstandings, or just made up (possibly for attention).
- Even if the vision is genuine, it is not certain proof of God.
- Dreams could be subconscious wish fulfilment.

What is a miracle?

Something that appears to break the laws of nature.

What is the nature and importance of miracles?

- Miracles have been recorded throughout history, and claims are still made today.
- They involve a religious experience of some kind.
- Experiencing such an event may lead to faith or a strengthening of faith.

What are Jesus' miracles clear signs of?

His divine nature;
-Healing
-Natural
-Exorcisms (removal of evil spirits that have possessed a person)

What are some biblical examples of miracles?

- Moses parting and crossing the Red Sea *Exodus 14:21-22*
- Jesus turning the water into wine at the wedding of Cana *John 2:6-9*
- Jesus healing a blind man by placing his hands on the man's eyes *Mark 8:22-25*
- Jesus healing the official's son who was not present. *John 4:46-54*

What are some non-biblical examples of miracles?

- The Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico City in 1531. Her image hasn't faded as would be expected and has avoided fire and bomb damage.
- The Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 in Lourdes, France. She pointed to a spring, which is now visited by over 5 million people a year. Around 70 verified healing miracles have happened there.

What are some reasons why miracles might lead people to believe in the existence of God?

- There is no natural scientific explanation so suggests that divine intervention is the only possibility.
- Those who experienced or witnessed a miracle feel like they have had direct contact with God.
- Natural laws have been broken, and only God is able to do such a thing?

What are some arguments against miracles as proof that God exists?

- Coincidences or unusual events do sometimes occur.
-Scientific and medical knowledge is continuing to develop - explanation may occur in the future.
- Inexplicable things do not necessarily mean the answer is God.

What are some Catholic responses to miracles?

- "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe" *John 4:48*
- They reveal God's omnipotent nature.
- Jesus' miracles often demanded faith, a quality that cannot be explained or justified.
- Catholics usually accept that God cannot grant every request and denial may be part of a bigger plan.
- Healing miracles show God's love for humans.
- Miracles are a way God communicates with his people.
- Since there are miracles in the Bible, it is not unreasonable for them to happen today.

What is a religious experience?

A feeling of the presence of God.

What does CCC 66-67 suggest?

That the revelation of Jesus can be further explained, and some private revelations have been recognised by the Church.

What are private revelations viewed as?

Secondary to the revelation of Jesus and will contain no new information. They are only able to provide insight into what has already been revealed.

What are the 4 main features of a religious experience?

- People may feel an awareness of something greater than them: God.
- They can build or strengthen faith.
- They may be seen as an important reminder of God's omnipresence and his nature as creator and designer.
- They may be describes as transcendent, going beyond the usual senses.

What are some philosophical arguments in relation to religious experiences?

- Richard Swinburne (a Christian) suggested that it is reasonable to believe that the world is probably how we experience it - the Principle of Credulity.
- Unless we have a specific reason to question a religious experience, it is possible that it is evidence for God's existence.
- Religious experiences increase the probability of God, even if they do not prove that he exists.

What do laws of nature suggest that religious experiences may not be proof that God exists?

David Hume argued that every human can observe the laws of nature, this is more persuasive than a few having religious experiences.

What does lack of evidence suggest that religious experiences may not be proof that God exists?

There is no testable evidence to prove religious experiences. Often the event is brief and personal.

What does use of stimulants suggest that religious experiences may not be proof that God exists?

Drugs can relax and make the user more open to religious experiences. Some drugs can also cause hallucinations.

What does hallucinations suggest that religious experiences may not be proof that God exists?

These can be caused by many things: anxiety, stress, grief, migraine, epilepsy, etc. Hallucinations could easily be mistaken for visions.

What does wish fulfilment suggest that religious experiences may not be proof that God exists?

Sigmund Freud believed this was the case. He claimed adults still have childlike feelings and great delusions.

What is an argument against the laws of nature restricting religious experiences?

God is an omnipotent being who isn't bound by the laws of nature, so it is expected that religious experiences can and do break them.

What is an argument against lack of evidence restricting religious experiences?

Just because there is no evidence, it does not mean that something didn't happen. Faith does not require proof.

What does the church do when they have a report of a religious experience?

They do not disagree about stimulants, hallucinations, and wish fulfilment, which is why the church conducts detailed investigations into some claims before it recognises them as authentic.

What does the design argument suggest?

It suggests that as there appears to be design in the world, there must be a designer and this is God.

What is another name for the design argument?

The teleological argument.

What was the design argument part of?

St Thomas Aquinas' "Five Ways" to prove God's existence.

What analogy did William Paley come up with to provide evidence for the design argument?

He used an analogy of a watch - if you found a watch in a field, you would not assume it had come together by chance; it would be clear it had a designer. He believed that the universe is the same; it appears to have a design, therefore it has a designer.

What SOWAA can we use for the design argument?

Romans 1:20

What are the three strengths of the design argument?

- *It is based on our own experience of design:* many things in nature are perceived to have a purpose, order and design.
- *It complements a Christian view of the nature of God:* an omnipotent and omniscient God is able to create the universe.
- *It encourages scientific examination of the universe:* the underlying rules of nature lead to the conclusion of a designer.

What is some evidence against the design argument?

*The uniqueness of the universe:* David Hume said it was impossible to use an analogy to explain the universe.
*The existence of evil and suffering:* either God is a poor designer, or there is no designer - surely the universe should be perfect?
*There is no order, just the appearance of order:* Richard Dawkins suggested that people see the world with "purpose coloured spectacles".
*Evolution as an explanation of order and purpose:* evolutionary theory suggests that complex organisms have developed through genetic mutation and natural selection.

What are Catholic responses towards evidence against the design argument?

- Just because it is unique does not mean you can't explain it.
- Humans can learn from the suffering and evil in the world; some is the result of free will.
- Science and evidence support the concept of order.
- Specific evolution must have been directed by a designer God to get where we are today.

What is the cosmological argument?

It follows the universal law of cause and effect.

What did Plato and Aristotle call the first cause of all other moving things?

The Prime Mover.

What do the first three of St Thomas Aquinas' Five Ways connect to?

The cosmological argument.

What are three strengths of the cosmological argument?

*It is based on experience:* it is hard to deny chains of cause and effect.
*It is more logical than the alternative:* an infinite chain of cause and effect seems impossible.
*It is compatible with scientific evidence:* most scientists agree on the beginning of the universe (the Big Bang), which is in keeping with the cosmological argument.

What does the cosmological argument reveal about God's nature?

It shows that he is omnipotent and has the power to do all things - create a universe from nothing. Therefore his power is limitless.

What is some evidence against the cosmological argument?

*The impossibility of a total explanation:* Bertrand Russell argued that a total explanation was impossible, humans should just accept that the universe's existence as fact.
*The universe as a whole does not need a cause:* Russell also said that just because everything in the universe needs a cause, it does not mean the universe as a whole does.
*The first cause doesn't have to be God:* some scientists accept the Big Bang as the start of the universe.

What are some Catholic responses towards evidence against the cosmological argument?

- A rejection of infinite chains of cause and effect means a total explanation is possible.
- All things in the universe can have their cause investigated, so why not the universe itself?
- Everything starts somewhere, and only an omnipotent God could be the absolute beginning.

What does evil suggest about the nature of God?

God cannot be omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent.

What does omnipotent mean?

God has unlimited power.

What does omniscient mean?

God has complete knowledge of all human action, past, present and future.

What does omnibenevolent mean?

God has unlimited goodness and love.

What are the arguments for suffering, using God's characteristics?

- If God is omnipotent, surely he has the power to stop suffering.
- If God is omniscient, surely he is aware of the suffering.
- If God is omnibenevolent, he would want to stop the suffering.

What SOWAA can we use for the existence of suffering?

Isaiah 45

What does David Hume say about suffering?

Suffering is one of the weaknesses of the design argument, it is the 'rock of atheism'.

What did J.L Mackie produce?

An inconsistent triad. The combination of any two positions means that either God does not exist, or is not worthy of worship.

What does the Inconsistent Triad look like?

What are five features of natural evil?

- Evil from *natural* events that humans cannot control.
- Examples include: natural disasters such as tsunamis and earthquakes, illness and disease.
- Seems like an unjust punishment for victims.
- Catholics may see them as a test of faith.
- Opportunity to do good.

What are four features of moral evil?

- Evil from actions of *humans*.
- Examples include, murder, theft, terrorism and assault.
- Catholics believe humans have free will; suffering is the price people pay for freedom.
- God gave humans a conscience and encourages them to act in the right way.

What biblical responses are there to the problem of suffering are in the book of Job?

- God allows Job to be tested and tormented by Satan.
- Faith gives strength to those who are suffering.
- It helps them understand suffering may be something not understood by humans.

What biblical responses are there to the problem of suffering are in Psalms?

- 119 teaches Christians that they can learn from their previous suffering.
- God's omnipotence (135), omniscience, (147) and omnibenevolence (100) are also made clear.

What biblical responses to the problem of suffering are in the New Testament?

- A God who suffered through Jesus is revealed.
- Any problem of evil has Christ at the heart of the answer.
- There must be a higher purpose, incomprehensible to humans.

What are theoretical responses to the problem of suffering from St Augustine?

- Some Catholics do not believe that evil is a thing in itself, but an absence of good - just as darkness is absence of light.
- Evil exists due to the abuse of free will.
- Free will must be used to choose good, and the reward will be entry into heaven.

What are theoretical responses to the problem of suffering from St Irenaeus?

- It's the best way for humans to develop and grow.
- People learn to make the correct moral choices.
- People are created in the image of God, but incomplete so they must try to be like him.

What is the success of the solutions to the problem of evil and suffering?

- The Bible is a reminder of the suffering of both Jesus and the people of God in the Old Testament.
- Some find the theoretical solutions useful, while others turn to practical responses.
- For many, suffering still remains a mystery.
- Statistics suggest suffering is a problem that many Christians can overcome.
- It may still be a key factor in some Christians deciding to stop practising their faith.

How can prayer be a practical response to the problem of evil and suffering?

- Suffering can be shared in prayer.
- Prayers of intercession are part of the Mass.
- This can sometimes be the only meaningful response for the individual Catholic.

How can charity be a practical response to the problem of evil and suffering?

- Helping others is the same as helping Christ (Parable of the Sheep and Goats).
- Those who help others in need will gain salvation.

What successes are there to the problems of evil and suffering?

- The Bible is a reminder of the suffering of both Jesus and the people of God in the Old Testament.
- Some find the theoretical solutions useful while others turn to practical responses.
- For many, suffering remains a mystery.
- Statistics suggest suffering is a problem that many Christians can overcome.
- It may still be a key factor in some Christians deciding not to practice their faith.

What do Catholics believe about God and marriage?

He instituted marriage as part of creating the world.

What does Genesis 1:28 say about marriage?

"Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it"

What are the four purposes of sacramental marriage?

- *Loving* having a relationship of love and faithfulness.
- *Lifelong* having the lifelong support and comfort of each other.
- *Exclusive* being committed to only one marriage partner.
- *Fruitful* having the opportunity to procreate,

What are the four catholic teachings of marriage?

- Marriage unites a couple in faithful and mutual love.
- Marriage opens a couple to the giving of new life.
- Marriage is a way to respond to God's call to holiness.
- Marriage calls the couple to be a sign of Christ's love in the world.

What does CCC 1601 say about marriage?

"a partnership of the whole life"

What is the features of marriage in society?

- Religious marriage ceremonies of all kinds reflect the individual set of beliefs of each faith.
- Marriage remains a legal ceremony. Catholics not only get married in the eyes of the Lord, but also legally.
- For many people, civil marriage is an important declaration of the love and commitment between persons.

What are some different views of marriage?

- Before 2014 homosexuals could not marry.
- These weddings between homosexuals are non-religious.
- Not all couples wish to marry, same sex couples can undertake a civil partnership.
- Any couple can choose to live together but their legal rights are not automatically protected.
- The Catholic Church prohibits couples living together as it tempts them to engage in premarital sex.

What does the Catholic Church teach about sexual relations?

"bring together a man and a woman who are married for the purpose of having children"

What four types of sex are against the Catholic Churches teachings?

- Premarital; sex before marriage.
- Cohabitation; when a couple lives together before marriage. Usually they are in a sexual relationship.
- Same sex; being a homosexual is not a sin but engaging in sexual relationships as a homosexual is.
- Extramarital sex; this is adultery, this breaks the promise of matrimony and would be grounds for a civil divorce.

What are some different attitudes towards relationships?

- Since the 1960s, family life in the UK has changed. Previously, it was expected that people would not have sex until marriage, be married in the church by the age of 25 and live as a nuclear family, and not divorce.
- Many people in the UK do not wait until marriage to have sex. Approximately 50% of 17 year old have had sex.
- In the UK today, nearly half of babies are born to people who are not married.
- A growing attitude of acceptance and tolerance is more apparent in the passing of law in the UK in 2014 that homosexuals can marry.

What are some views of non-religious groups of marriage?

- Secular humanists believe that humans should behave morally and be allowed freedom within the limits of morality.
- Catholic do not agree that sex before marriage is acceptable.
- The Catholic Church believes that all forms of contraception are wrong.
- Catholics agree that couples should be faithful.
- Catholics and many secular humanists believe you should treat people the way you would like to be treated.

What do Catholics believe family was created as?

The basic unit of society.

What does Pope Benedict XVI teach about the family?

"The family is the best school at which to learn to live out those values which give dignity to the person"

What did Pope Benedict XVI call the family?

"a communion of love"

What does CCC 1666 call the family?

"the domestic church"

What is Catholic teaching influenced by?

- The holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph who provided a model of family living. Being faithful and obedient to God.
- Sharing the mission of the Church, family life is seen as a vocation for lay Catholics.

What are the purposes of the family?

- Lifelong relationships of love and faithfulness.
- Support and comfort of each other.
- To procreate and have children.
- To bring up a Christian family who receive the sacraments.
- To be a sign of Christ's love in the world.

What do Catholics believe about the family?

- The family was created by God.
- It is the basic unit of society.
- It is the place where children should be brought up.
- It is the principal place for the education of morals.
- It is the place where children learn the faith and pray.
- Pope Benedict XVI called it "a communion of love".
- It is also called the domestic church.

What are the different types of family within society?

- Nuclear Family: two parents and their children.
- Single parent.
- Same-sex parents.
- Extended: including grandparents, aunts, uncles etc living together.
- Blended: a couple where one or both of their children from previous relationships.

What does CCC 2226 say about a parents mission?

"Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God"

How can family worship support families within the church?

- Attendance at Mass is a time to be together.
- Family Masses can encourage those with younger children to attend.

How can groups for children support families within the church?

- Mother and toddler groups, youth clubs, Guides, and Scouts give children time to socialise with Catholics.

How can classes for parents support families within the church?

- Catechisms for baptism or First Holy Communion helps parents to better understand the sacraments.
- Classes exist to train parents in how to be a good Catholic parent.
- Marriage preparation classes teach family planning.

How can counselling support families within the church?

- Most parish priests are trained counsellors, and are supported by parish or diocese volunteer teams.
- Organisations such as Marriage Care provide free counselling.

How can Family Group Movement support families in the church?

- Parish friendship groups, open to all, encourage parishioners to support one another.
- They often partake in low-cost activities.

How can other help support families in the church?

- Charities such as St Vincent de Paul might help with donations of furniture for a struggling family.

What are Catholic attitudes towards contraception?

- Contraception undermines sexual relations as being unitive and procreative so these things should not be separated.