Ethics Final Exam

Original holiness

The original state of human beings in their relationship with God (sharing in divine life in full communion with him)

Latin meaning of original sin

“Beginning or “birth”

Two meanings of original sin

The sin of the first human beings, who disobeyed God and lost their original holiness and the fallen state of human nature that affects every person born into the world

What are three aspects to consider in regards to sin?

Object: act, word, or thought that is being chosen

Intention: intended outcome/good

Circumstance: specific condition affecting a moral decision

Mortal sin

An action so contrary to the will of God that it results in a complete separation from God and his grace

What makes a sin mortal?

Serious sin, full knowledge (wrong doing), and full consent (aspects)

Venial sin

A less serious offense against the will of God that diminishes one’s personal character and weakens but does not rupture one’s relationship with God

Social sin

The collective effect of many personal sins over time, which corrupts society and its institutions by creating “structure of sin”

God’s Eternal Law

It’s the root of law (never changes) and has infinite Divine Wisdom; directs all actions and movements (conceived creation and its laws from all of creation); you pay a price when you go against it

What’s another word for Eternal Law?

Divine Law, standard or law exists

Original justice

The state of complete harmony that our first parents had with their inner self, with each other, and all of creation

Conversion

When we choose to turn away from sin and towards God

Sanctification

The process of becoming closer to God and growing in holiness, taking on the righteousness of Jesus Christ with the gift of sanctifying grace (to make something holy)

Beatitude

A Christian’s vocation, the goal of their existence (true blessedness or happiness that they experience partially on earth and in Heaven)

Natural Law

Our participation in the Divine Law; every person is born with awareness of good and evil, right and wrong, human nature/common sense; natural law corresponds with these three basic human drives and needs: Preserving life, developing as individuals and communities, and sharing life with others

Freedom

Responsible use of freedom helps us live as God’s children; freedom and responsibility go hand-in-hand in a moral life

External freedom

External limited freedom chosen (all girls school/all boys school)

Internal freedom

Freedom from interior factors that limit choice (mental health)

Temptation

The desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise

First commandment

I am the LORD your God; you shall not have strange gods before me

Second commandment

You shall not take the NAME of the Lord your God in VAIN

Third commandment

Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day 

Fourth commandment

Honor your father and mother

Fifth commandment

You shall not kill

Sixth commandment

You shall not commit adultery

Seventh commandment

You shall not steal

Eighth commandment

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor

Ninth commandment

You shall not covet your neighbor’s WIFE

Tenth commandment

You shall not covet your neighbor’s GOODS

Conscience

The “interior voice” of a person, a God-given sense of the Law of God

How do you develop your conscience?

Experiences, observing, reading, conservation, and growing intellectually

Golden rule

Precept in the Gospel “In everything, do to others what you have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12)

Precepts of the Church (guidelines)

To keep holy the day of the Lord’s Resurrection, to lead a sacramental life, to study Catholic teaching in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, to observe the marriage laws of the Church, to strengthen and support the Church, to do penance, to join in work of the Church

Magisterium

Teaching office of Catholic Church (consists of all bishops, in communion with the Pope); they implement and explain Canon Law

Intellect

The divine gift that gives us the ability to see and understand the order of things that God places within creation and to know and understand God through his creation

Merit

God’s reward to those who love him and follow Christ’s Law of Love

What does it mean to have merit?

To be justified in the sight of God

Imago Dei

Every person is created in the image and likeness of God; everyone inherent dignity and worth

Theme of the 1st three commandments

Loving and honoring God

Idolatry

The worship of any gods/goddesses other than God/Yahweh

Pantheon

A group of gods/goddesses

Blasphemy

Speaking, acting, or thinking about God, Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, or the saints in a way that is irreverent, mocking, or offensive

Polytheism

The belief in and worship of more than one god

Monotheism

Belief in and worship of only one true god

Theological virtues

God given virtues of faith, hope, and love

What do theological virtues enable us to do?

To know God as God and lead us to union with God in mind and heart

How are you expected to keep holy the Sabbath?

Go to mass, rest, works of service or charity

Covenant

A solemn promise between human beings or between God and a human being

Sacrilege

Abuse of the Sacraments, persons, things, or places that are consecrated to God

Dogma

A central truth of Revelation that Catholics have to believe (a central Church teaching)

Heresy

The conscious and deliberate rejection of a dogma of the Church

Simony

Buying or selling something spiritual, such as a grace, a sacrament, or a relic

Atheism

Denial of the existence in God

Perjury

Lying while under oath

How can one nurture a relationship with God?

Adoration, prayer, and sacrifice/promises and vows

Venerate

An action that shows deep reverence for something sacred

Examination of conscience

To reflect on our actions/choices in preparation for Reconciliation

Role of the extended family

The central social institution in biblical times (several generations lived together)

What is the responsibility between parents and children?

Children must have respect, gratitude, obedience, and assistance towards their parents to bring harmony to family life / Parents must care for emotional, physical, and spiritual needs for their children by creating homes where love, respect, care, forgiveness, faith, and service to others are normal values (mutual respect)

Vocation

A call from God to all members of the Church to embrace a life of holiness

Explain being of this world vs. being in the world.

Called to challenge values that are contrary to love and goodness; be open to people and their values

Communicative justice

Calls for fairness in agreements and contracts between individuals (calls for an exchange of goods, money, or services)

Reparation

Making amends for something one did wrong that caused harm to another person or led to loss

Calumny

Ruining the reputation of another person by lying or spreading rumors

Rash judgement

Assuming the worst about something a person says or does without knowing all the facts

Adulation

Excessive flattery, praise, or admiration for another person

Detraction

Unnecessarily revealing something about another person that is true but harmful to his or her reputation

What does the New Law state?

Before Jesus, wealth was a sign of God’s favor/blessing — Jesus taught the detachment from wealth is necessary for entering Kingdom of God and taught mammon

What does Jesus say about our relationship with wealth in the New Testament?

Jesus taught the opposite of what was believed in biblical times (wealth was a sign of God’s favor/blessing) — detachment from wealth to enter Kingdom of God and that poverty isn’t a sign that God is displeased with someone

Plagiarism

Copying someone else’s words or ideas without permission or giving proper credit

Conciliar

Something connected with an official council of the Church, normally on Ecumenical Church such as the Second Vatican Council

Civil disobedience

Deliberate refusal to obey an immoral demand from civil authority or an immoral civil law

What’s an example of civil disobedience?

Any person who hid Jews to save lives in refusal to obey the law of turning them in

Social justice

The defense of human dignity by ensuring that essential human needs are met and that essential human rights are protected (to fight against social sin)

What responsibility do employers have to their employees?

Safety, fair wages, fairness in general, racial equality, and gender equality

Why are people supposed to take care of the environment?

To take care of God’s creation and what God passed down to us

If you are rich, who are you expected to help?

Poor and vulnerable

Envy

Resentment or sadness because of another person’s good fortune

Sloth

Reluctance to work or make an effort; laziness

Greed

The desire to accumulate earthly goods beyond what we need

What does it mean to have poverty of heart?

The recognition of our deep need for God and the commitment to put God above everything else in life, particularly the accumulation of material wealth

What responsibility does the state have for citizens?

Provide security, education, and promote the common good

What obligations do we have as faithful citizens?

Telling the truth in a public hearing a court of law

Offenses to the fifth commandment

Harming another person or potential to harm

What’s an example of things that have the potential to harm?

Reckless driving and harmful medical experiments

Jesus’ expanded teachings on the fifth commandment in the Sermon on the Mount

Jesus commands us to have a deep and radical respect for the sacredness of the human person; he prohibits harm of any kind, physical or otherwise

Physical health and morality

Having the right motive/intention to stay healthy; take care of our bodies and minds God has given us

Challenges to healthy living

Advertising (?fast food), being busy, media (movies/TV shows), E-games (video games), instant gratification (instant results)

Health guidelines for teens

Use SMART goal: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound

Theology of the body

Body, mind, and soul are connected, when you’re healthy you have better signs from your body; the Church says “Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God”

Nuptial

Something related to marriage or a marriage ceremony

Generative

Something related to the power of producing life

Chasity

The virtue by which people are able to successfully and healthfully integrate their sexuality into their total person (recognized as one of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit)

Adultery

Sexual activity between two persons, at least one of whom is married to another

Annulment

The declaration by the Church that a marriage is null and void, that is, it never existed as a Sacramental union (Catholics who divorce must have the marriage annulled by the Church to be free to marry once again in the Church)

Artificial insemination

The process by which a man’s sperm and a woman’s egg are united in a manner other than natural sexual intercourse

In vitro fertilization

The fertilization of a woman’s ovum (egg) with a man’s sperm outside her body and then the fertilized egg is transferred to the woman’s uterus (Church believes this as a moral violation of dignity of procreation)

Lust

Intense and uncontrolled desire for sexual pleasure (one of 7 capital sins)

Natural family planning

The natural method of spacing the birth of children in a marriage, practiced by recognizing the wife’s fertile period and engaging chaste abstinence from sexual relations during that time

Pornography

A written description or visual portrayal of a person or action that is created or viewed with the intention of stimulating sexual feelings (sin against 6th and 9th commandments)