Exam review

Chapter 1 – Why Be Ethical?

• Key Definitions:

  • Morality: Principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior.

  • Ethics: Study of moral principles that govern behavior.

  • Virtue Ethics (Aristotle): Focuses on developing good character traits.

  • Deontological Ethics (Kant): Emphasizes duty and universal moral laws.

  • Levinas' Ethics: Centers on responsibility to the "Other."

• Focus Details:

  • Strengths & Weaknesses of Theories:

    • Aristotle: Practical focus but may exclude non-virtuous people.

    • Kant: Clear principles but rigid and inflexible.

    • Levinas: Emphasizes relationships but subjective.

  • Why be ethical?

    • To build trust, respect, and a harmonious society.

  • What makes an experience ethical/moral?

    • Intentions, actions, and their consequences align with moral principles.

Chapter 2 – You Are What You Do

• Key Definitions:

  • Determinism: Belief that all events, including human actions, are determined by prior causes.

  • Naturalism: Philosophy that everything arises from natural properties and causes.

  • Human Agency: Capacity to act and make choices.

• Focus Details:

  • Capacity to Act: Freedom and responsibility make humans ethical beings.

  • Human Freedom: Essential for ethical decision-making; allows personal growth.

  • Role of Values: Guide actions and decisions, shaping ethics.

  • Problems with Naturalism: Undermines free will, simplifies human behavior.

  • Freud’s Instincts:

    • Eros (Life Instinct): Drives survival, reproduction, and pleasure.

    • Thanatos (Death Instinct): Pushes towards aggression and self-destruction.

Chapter 3 – Conscience

• Key Definitions:

  • Conscience: Inner sense of right and wrong guiding actions.

  • Moral Character: Traits influencing ethical decisions.

• Focus Details:

  • My Brother’s Keeper: Responsibility to care for others (Genesis 4:9).

  • Dangers of Narcissism: Leads to self-centeredness and neglect of others.

  • Conscience vs. Guilt: Conscience is a guide; guilt is an emotional response.

  • Developing Conscience: Education, reflection, prayer, and experience.

Chapter 5 – Sermon on the Mount

• Key Definitions:

  • Kingdom of God: God’s reign of justice, love, and peace.

  • Gospel Ethics: Moral teachings of Jesus emphasizing love and mercy.

• Focus Details:

  • Heart of Jesus’ Message: Love, mercy, and humility.

  • Comparison to Moses: Jesus brings a deeper ethical fulfillment to the Law.

  • Eschatological Ethics: Future-oriented ethics based on the Kingdom of God.

  • Ethical Repercussions: Living justly, loving others, and acting mercifully.

Chapter 7 – The Good Life

• Key Definitions:

  • Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance.

  • The Good Life: Fulfillment through virtuous living.

• Focus Details:

  • Aristotle’s Good: Achieved by reason and living virtuously.

  • Role of Institutions: Support justice and fairness in society.

  • Relationship Between Ethics & Happiness: True happiness arises from virtuous living.

Chapter 8 – Norms for Moral Living

• Key Definitions:

  • Norms: Standards or principles guiding behavior.

  • Natural Law: Moral principles inherent in human nature.

• Focus Details:

  • Norms vs. Laws vs. Rules:

    • Norms: General principles.

    • Laws: Enforceable rules.

    • Rules: Specific guidelines.

  • Common Good: Benefits shared by all, like education and safety.

  • Natural Law: Acts in harmony with human nature and reason.

Chapter 16 – Marriage Matters

• Key Definitions:

  • Covenant: Sacred agreement with God.

  • Sacramental Love: Spiritual and self-giving love.

• Focus Details:

  • Creation Story: Man and woman are partners.

  • Indissolubility: Marriage is lifelong and unbreakable.

  • Beyond Attraction: Marriage is about mutual sacrifice, commitment, and love.

Chapter 17 – The Family

• Key Definitions:

  • Domestic Church: Family as the first environment for faith and ethics.

  • Common Good: Families nurture ethical citizens for society.

• Focus Details:

  • Ethical Formation: Families teach values, love, and responsibility.

  • Strong Families: Characterized by communication, trust, love, and faith.

  • Jeremiah 1:5: Human life is sacred from conception.