chapter 10-12

• Norms of morality


  Criteria for judgment about the sorts of persons we ought to be and the sorts of actions we ought to perform
• Moral norms


  Criteria for judging the quality of character, to what sort of person one ought to become, and the quality of acts, to what sort of action one ought to be done
• The quality of character takes precedence over the quality of actions, because actions are only the product of one's character
• The kind of person we are, determines the kind of actions we do
• Action reflects character (the synchrony of your character and action)
• Basis of moral judgment

  • Eternal law
  • Natural law
  • Reason (conscience)
• Eternal law

  The divine wisdom directing all actions and movements of all created beings
• Natural law


  The operational tendencies of human nature
• Natural law


  • It is universal
  • It is obligatory
  • It is recognizable
  • It is immutable and unchangeable
• Conscience (reason)


  The practical judgment of reason telling a person what he/she ought to be done because it is good, or what should be avoided because it is evil
• Conscience


  • Before the commission of an act, conscience directs towards what is good
  • After the commission of an act, conscience either approves or reproves the act
• Values

  Anything that satisfies human needs
• Our ultimate happiness in this life consists in the sum of earthly good essential to us
• Morally good actions are authentic values, while immoral actions are apparent (deceptive) values, which mean evil in disguise as good
• Kinds of values


  • Biological values
  • Psychological values
  • Intellectual values
  • Moral values
• Hierarchy of values


  • Moral values
  • Intellectual values
  • Psychological values
  • Biological values
• Social dimension of values

  • The authenticity of values consists in their being shared with others
  • The higher a value goes up the ranking the more it becomes altruistic
  • The lower values are seen as competitive and egotistic
• Moral values


  Those that functions of the intellect and the will choices, decisions, actions, and habits
• Choosing values

  • Permanent or lasting values must be preferred over temporary or perishable ones
  • Values favored by the majority must be preferred over those appealing only to a few
  • Essential values must be preferred over accidental values
  • Moral values must be preferred over physical values
• Moral habits


  Moral character is the sum of man's good habits
• Values that must be preferred

  • Permanent or lasting values over temporary or perishable ones
  • Values favored by the majority over those appealing only to a few
  • Essential values over accidental values
  • Moral values over physical values
• Permanent or lasting values


  • Education is better than leisure; moral habit better than physical strength
• Values favored by the majority


  • Marriage is better than staying single; wealth is better than staying poor
• Essential values


  • A good reputation is better than being pretty; attending to parental duties better than involvement in social gatherings or parties
• Moral values


  • The practice of religion is better than sports; feeding the orphans is better than spending money luxuriously
• Moral character

  The sum of man's good habits
• Habit


  To have or to possess
• Types of habits


  • Entitative habits
  • Operative habits
• Entitative habits


  Predispose a man to acquire a certain nature or quality, like being healthy, being beautiful, being intelligent, or being rich
• Operative habits


  Predispose a man to act readily towards a purpose, like singing, dancing, playing basketball, or helping others
• Virtue


  The operative habit of doing well
• Vice


  The operative habit of doing evil
• Types of virtues


  • Intellectual virtues
  • Moral virtues
• Moral virtues


  • Prudence
  • Justice
  • Fortitude
  • Temperance
• Prudence


  Enables a person to know the best means to employ in attaining a purpose. A prudent person weighs the pros and cons of the situation and acts with reasonable caution.
• Justice

  Inclines a person to give to everyone what is due. A just person pays his legal debts, honors his elders, observes the laws of society, and worships God.
• Fortitude

  Gives a person the strength of the will to face dangers and problems in life. A person of fortitude is not easily discouraged and is ready to stand by what is right.
• Temperance

  Moderates a person's instincts and emotions. A temperate person is not given to inordinate anger, jealousy, desire or love.
• Intellectual virtues


  • Understanding
  • Science
  • Art
  • Wisdom
• Understanding


  The habit or intuition of the first principles, such as "the whole is greater than the sum of any of its parts." Another example, that doing well is better than doing bad. In other words, this is what we call common sense or initiative.