Ethics and Social Concepts: Marxism, Environmental Justice, and Civil Disobedience

What is the bourgeoisie?

Ownership class

What is the proletariat?

Working class

What is collectivization?

The practice of forcing individual farmers to leave their private farms to work on large collective farms.

What was 'The Great Leap Forward' campaign and how many died?

A campaign in China where 15-55 million people died of starvation.

What was the Holodomor?

A famine in Ukraine where 3.5-5 million people died due to starvation caused by Russia.

What are opiates used for?

To alleviate pain.

What is the Universal Destination of Goods?

Earth's resources that are meant for the benefit of all mankind.

What is resource depletion?

Using resources excessively until they run out.

What does 'scarce' mean?

Not enough to meet demand.

What are renewable resources?

Resources that can be replenished by the environment.

What are non-renewable resources?

Resources that will eventually run out.

What is veganism?

Refusing to eat or use any animal products.

What does being 'humane' or cruelty-free mean?

Avoiding products derived from animals.

What is antinatalism?

A movement of people who believe having children is unethical.

What is the Common Good?

A deeply fulfilling way of life that can only be achieved as a community.

What is utilitarianism?

Using people with the goal of maximizing productivity and human fulfillment.

What is egoism?

Trying to achieve self-fulfillment.

What is civil disobedience?

Publicly disobeying unjust laws to enact change.

What is anarchy?

Absence of law or government.

What are dictatorships?

Government leaders ruling without anything to keep their power in check.

What is the government's relationship to the economy in purely socialist/communist countries?

The government owns everything, including the means of production.

What is the main goal of socialism/communism?

To stop abuses of the ownership class.

Who invented the term 'capitalism' and what did they mean?

Socialists, used to criticize free markets.

What did Karl Marx think about violent revolutions?

He advocated for a forceful revolution.

Why does Marxist philosophy tend to lead to violence and conflict?

They view humans as members of warring tribes.

What are the three main reasons socialism/communism tends to be economically unproductive?

1. Lack of rewards decreases work ethic. 2. Lack of creative individual freedom restricts innovation. 3. Government spends profit on politically popular programs.

What were two rules the USSR put into place regarding education?

1. Homeschooling and religious education were illegal. 2. China's One Child Policy.

What did Alexandra Kollontai and Friedrich Engels think about marriage and family?

They believed it was oppressive for women, with duties revolving around the home.

What are the two main reasons Marx believed atheism was essential for communism to succeed?

1. It distracts from the real world of politics. 2. It numbs the sense of judgment and keeps people from revolting against the bourgeoisie.

What are two possible Christian responses to Marx's critiques of religion?

1. Belief in God gives the world meaning and purpose. 2. Overthrowing God undermines the concept of human dignity.

How is governmental regulation different from socialism?

Socialism is collective/state ownership, while governmental regulation limits the extremes of the free market.

Is leaving nature alone the most ideal way for humans to relate to the environment?

No, because humans are spiritual beings called to perfect nature through art and science.

What is the main goal of environmental justice for Catholics?

Every human gets access to the goods of the earth which they are owed.

What is the greenhouse effect and what causes it?

Gases like CO2 and methane are released into the atmosphere primarily from burning fossil fuels.

What motivates most non-dietary vegans to practice strict veganism?

The belief that animal life is the same as human life.

Is a vegan diet the healthiest possible diet? Why or why not?

No, because it lacks micronutrients like B-12 and calcium that animal products contain.

How does veganism ironically make us less close to animals?

It removes them from our lives and makes us less 'natural'.

What are the two main motivations for antinatalists?

1. The world is evil/doomed. 2. Humans are a cancer or virus on the planet.

Will the human population keep multiplying until we run out of space?

No, because fertility rates are dropping below 2.1 children per woman.

Why is rapid depopulation dangerous?

It leads to economic disasters and makes assisted euthanasia tempting.

How do laws encourage good and discourage evil?

They create fear of punishment and desire for reward.

What are the three ways laws make the Common Good possible?

1. Protects the innocent from the wicked. 2. Coordinates people's actions. 3. Trains citizens in virtue.

What term did MLK Jr. use in place of civil disobedience?

Non-violent direct action.

How does civil disobedience work?

It attacks evil laws by forcing society to confront them, producing guilt in their conscience.

Why is civil disobedience preferable to revolt and protest?

It targets the whole government rather than just the evil law and only involves words instead of actions.

What are two criteria from the Catechism regarding violent revolt?

1. All other means of redress have been exhausted. 2. Such resistance will not provoke worse disorders.

What are the three most likely results of revolting in an inappropriate situation?

1. Senseless deaths and increased oppression. 2. Anarchy and chaos. 3. Dictatorship with leaders ruling without checks on their power.

What did Jesus say when Peter fought back against those trying to arrest him?

'He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword.'