keywords

• absolutist

  An approach to ethics which claims that whatever is right or wrong is right or wrong universally – for all people in all times and places.
• agent

  In the sense of a ‘moral agent’ this is the person who is making the ethical decision.
• beautific vision

  The ultimate, direct, self-communication of God to humanity.
• canon law

  Ecclesiastical (Church) law. In relation to the Catholic tradition this refers particularly to law given by the Pope.
• casuistry

  From Latin ‘casus’. Refers to ‘case law’. The Catholic manuals are compilations of casuistry.
• consequentialist

  An approach that judges the rightness or wrongness of an action according to the consequences.
• cultural relativism

  The view that a person’s moral beliefs should be judged in the context of their own culture.
• deontological

  Focused on the rightness or wrongness of an act according to rules, duties, and obligations.
• intrinsic good

  Something that is morally good in and of itself.
• magisterium

  The teaching office of the Catholic Church, composed of the Pope and bishops, having the authority to lay down what is the authentic teaching of the Church.
• manualism

  In the Catholic Church this is the tradition of producing manuals for use in Catholic seminaries to train clergy in applying natural moral law to difficult cases.
• relativist

  An approach to ethics which claims that there is no universal right or wrong.
• seminary

  In Catholicism this is a school from training clergy.
• sanctity of life

  The idea that life is sacred and therefore acts such as abortion and euthanasia are always morally wrong.
• telelogical

  Focused on the rightness or wrongness of an act according to whether its consequences conform to the correct purpose.
• thomist

  Of or relating to Thomas Aquinas. For example, a ‘Thomist position’ is one that would have been proposed or held by Aquinas.