Natural moral law

• What is the main topic of the A-level religious ethics revision video discussed?

  Natural moral law and proportionalism
• What does proportionalism assert about moral rules?


  It asserts that moral rules can be overridden if there is a proportionate reason.
• Why might someone appreciate the development of proportionalism in relation to natural moral law?


  Because it allows for flexibility in applying moral rules to complex situations.
• What is a key condition for overriding a moral rule according to proportionalism?


  There must be a proportionate reason that justifies the action.
• What does the term "proportionate reason" refer to in proportionalism?


  A reason based on the context or situation that justifies overriding a moral rule.
• How does proportionalism relate to the concept of natural moral law?


  It acknowledges fixed moral rules but allows exceptions in exceptional circumstances.
• Who is associated with the development of proportionalism in the 1960s?


  Catholic scholars in Europe and America
• What criticism does the Catholic Church have regarding proportionalism?


  It denies that any action can be intrinsically evil.
• How does proportionalism address conflicts between primary precepts?


  It allows individuals to use reason to determine the morally right action.
• What is the cinderesis principle in natural moral law?


  It is the innate impulse to do good and avoid evil.
• According to Aquinas, when is it lawful to break a moral rule?


  When there is a proportionate reason that justifies it.
• What does the Catholic Church believe about actions like contraception?


  They believe it is intrinsically evil and cannot be justified.
• How does proportionalism view the morality of abortion?


  It assesses the morality based on the values and intentions involved.
• What is the doctrine of double effect in relation to intention?


  It emphasizes that intention matters when assessing the morality of an action.
• What does Richard McCormick suggest about moral choices?


  Every moral choice occurs in a context where competing values must be weighed.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of proportionalism?


  Strengths:

  • Allows for flexibility in moral decision-making
  • Acknowledges complex situations

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Criticized for being too flexible
  • May undermine absolute moral truths
• How does proportionalism differ from traditional natural moral law?


  • Proportionalism allows exceptions to moral rules
  • Traditional natural moral law emphasizes absolute adherence to rules
• What is the significance of intention in proportionalism?


  • Intention is crucial for assessing the morality of actions
  • Actions are evaluated based on the values and disvalues they create
• How does the Catholic Church's view on intrinsic evil relate to proportionalism?


  • The Church believes some actions are intrinsically evil
  • Proportionalism denies that any action can be intrinsically evil
• What role does reason play in proportionalism?


  • Reason is used to determine when it is justified to override moral rules
  • It empowers individuals to make moral decisions based on context
• What is the key idea of proportionalism in morality?


  Morality should be calculated by the value-difference balance on the agent's intention.
• How does proportionalism differ from the Catholic Church's view on intrinsic evil?


  Proportionalism argues that nothing is intrinsically evil, while the Church claims some actions are always wrong.
• In what situations might breaking a moral rule be considered good according to proportionalism?


  When the specific circumstances justify the action based on the value-difference balance.
• What does Richard McCormick suggest about moral choices?


  Every moral choice occurs in a context where competing values and disvalues must be weighed critically.
• What is the cinderesis principle in proportionalism?


  The cinderesis principle prioritizes doing good and avoiding evil in moral decision-making.
• What does the Catholic Church argue about breaking moral precepts?


  There is never a proportionate reason to break a precept.
• How does the Catholic Church view the concept of intrinsic evil?


  The Church believes certain actions are always intrinsically evil, regardless of intention.
• What is Pope John Paul II's stance on teleological and proportionalist theories?


  He rejects these theories because they allow for exceptions to intrinsic evil.
• What is the basis of natural moral law according to Aquinas?


  Natural moral law is based on an eternal law that is unchanging and in the mind of God.
• How does proportionalism apply to modern international law?


  It allows for a proportional response to actions, such as in European law.
• What are the strengths of proportionalism?


  It provides a common sense and flexible approach to ethics, recognizing complexity in moral decision-making.
• What are the weaknesses of proportionalism according to critics?


  It can be difficult to accurately calculate intentions and predict outcomes, leading to potential exploitation.
• What is the doctrine of double effects?


  It justifies killing as a side effect of self-defense.
• How does the Catholic Church view the concept of secondary precepts?


  Secondary precepts are more culturally relative and can change, unlike primary precepts.
• What is the conclusion regarding proportionalism's support by the Catholic Church?


  Proportionalism is not supported by the Catholic Church.
• What are the key principles of proportionalism?


  • Morality is based on the value-difference balance and intentions.
  • No action is intrinsically evil.
  • Context matters in moral decision-making.
  • Cinderesis principle prioritizes doing good and avoiding evil.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of proportionalism?


  Strengths:

  • Common sense and flexible approach.
  • Recognizes complexity in moral decisions.
  • Applicable to real-world scenarios.

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Condemned by the Catholic Church.
  • Difficult to calculate intentions accurately.
  • Potential for exploitation and ambiguity.
• What are some examples of actions considered intrinsically evil by the Catholic Church?


  • Rape
  • Murder
  • Contraception (according to Catholic doctrine)
• How does proportionalism relate to natural moral law?

  • Proportionalism allows for flexibility in applying natural moral law.
  • It emphasizes individual autonomy in moral decision-making.
  • It contrasts with the rigid application of natural moral law as per Aquinas.