Unit 2: Freedom, Law, and Moral Truth

Objective Truth

Independent of the knower; universally applicable.

Subjective Truth

Dependent on the knower; personal experience.

Natural Law

Moral law known through reason and experience.

Moral Act

Action involving freedom, intellect, and choice.

Object of the Act

The action being performed in a moral act.

Intention of the Act

Motive behind performing a moral act.

Circumstances of the Act

Secondary factors surrounding a moral act.

Immutable

Unchanging; cannot be altered or modified.

Universal

Applicable to all people, times, and cultures.

Moral Object

Where objective morality is contained in actions.

Golden Rule

Treat others as you wish to be treated.

Human Drives

Basic needs: life preservation, individual development, sharing.

Philosophy Propositions

A,E,I,O: Universal Affirmative, Negative, Particular Affirmative, Negative.

Objective Evil

Acts universally considered evil, regardless of context.

Subjective Experience

Personal feelings and opinions; not universally true.

Examples of Objective Truth

1 + 1 = 2, gravity, Pythagorean theorem.

Examples of Subjective Truth

Desires, personal memories, and feelings.

Moral Truth

Can be subjective; varies by individual beliefs.

Acts Always Objectively Evil

Murder and slavery universally recognized as evil.

Inherent

Natural to human beings; part of human nature.

Natural Law Characteristics

Inherent, universal, immutable moral guidelines.

Preserving Life

Basic human drive to maintain existence.

Developing Communities

Human need for growth as individuals and groups.

Sharing Life

Human drive for social relationships and connections.

Natural Law

Moral principles inherent to human nature.

Conscience Development

Process of refining moral understanding over time.

Human Dignity

Inherent worth of every human being.

Inalienable Dignity

Dignity that cannot be taken away.

True Freedom

Not merely doing whatever one desires.

Subsidiarity

Principle that decisions should be made locally.

Common Good

Conditions that benefit all members of society.

Peace

State of tranquility desired by all humans.

Beatitude

State of ultimate happiness and fulfillment.

Natural Law and Beatitudes

Beatitudes reflect moral truths of natural law.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Document affirming fundamental human rights globally.

MLK's Letter from Birmingham Jail

Advocacy for justice based on moral law.

Objective Moral Principles

Moral truths that apply universally to all.

Moral Obligation

Duty to respect and defend human rights.

Original Sin

Humanity's first disobedience against God's command.

Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil

Symbol of human freedom and moral choice.

Pride

Desire to be equal to God.

Moral Truth

Objective truths discovered, not created by humans.

The Fall of Man

Event marking humanity's disobedience to God.

The Great Permission

God's desire for humans to enjoy goodness.

Criterion of Good and Evil

God defines what is truly good and evil.

Temptations of Jesus

Sensual pleasure, glory, and power in the desert.

Lower Levels of Happiness

Correspond to the temptations Jesus faced.

Original Sin

State of fallen human nature at birth.

Darkened Intellect

Difficulty in discerning good and evil due to sin.

Grace

Divine help from God for moral discernment.

Divine Revelation

God explicitly reveals good and evil to us.

Law (Aquinas Definition)

Ordinance of reason for common good, promulgated.

Eternal Law

God's wisdom governing all things, highest law.

Natural Law

Eternal law inscribed in human hearts, objective.

Revealed Law

Eternal law explicitly made known by God.

Old Law

Ten Commandments, minimum moral requirements.

New Law

Law of Love, fulfills the Old Law.

Civil Law

Application of natural law in society.

Church Law

Canon law, minimal obligations for Catholics.

True Freedom

Deliberately choosing the good, limited by love.

Freedom and Love

Using freedom for love leads to greater happiness.

Law and Freedom

Laws guide freedom, promoting the ability to do good.

Moral Truth

Objective truth discovered through natural law.

Common Good

Allows all to reach fulfillment more easily.

Promulgated Law

Made known so people can be expected to know.

Competent Authority

Only those with authority can create laws.

Beatitudes

Teachings of Jesus that fulfill the New Law.

Works of Mercy

Actions reflecting the Law of Love.