Transcript UNIT 2: The Principles of Morality

What is Freedom?
0 The power, rooted in reason and will,
to act or not to act.
0 Just like with Peter Parker,
“With great power comes great
responsibility”
2
Morality
“Freedom makes humans moral subjects”
0 Morality: the sinfulness or goodness of an act
0 Humans have inherited the wisdom and goodness of
the Creator who gave humans mastery over their
acts and the ability to govern themselves with a view
to the TRUE and the GOOD.
0 In order to believe this you must believe that there is
such a thing as objective truth and good
Two Truths
0 Subjective: based on somebody’s
opinions or feelings rather than
on facts or evidence.
 Ex. I think The Simpsons is way
better than Family Guy OR…
 Ex. Ellen DeGeneres pwns Oprah
any day!
0 Objective: based on facts rather
than thoughts or opinions.
 Ex. There are 365 days in a year.
So based on our understanding of
Morality and Objective Truth…
Is Murder Wrong?
What would Michael Corleone or Tony Soprano say?
The Godfather
• Part II
• Fredo’s betrayal of brother Michael
•
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeZ5GpcG4sc&featu
re=related
• Part III
• Michael’s guilt
•
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2QvuZpxmeo
Objective Truth: Murder is Wrong!
0 Immoral – contrary to accepted moral principles
Depends entirely on your definition of moral (what is right
and what is wrong)
Ex. This pin is clearly a racist and inappropriate statement
and therefore immoral in nature.
Amoral – lacking any moral standards or simply not
caring about good morals
Ex. The Joker
Conscience
0 The inner voice of a person guiding a person
to do good and avoid evil.
“Humans have in their hearts a law inscribed by
God… A conscience is a person’s most secret core
and sanctuary. There a person is alone with God
whose voice echoes their depths.”
Conscience is a “judgment of reason”
whereby the human person recognizes
the moral quality of an act
Conscience enables the human person
to “assume responsibility for the acts
performed.”