chapter three law as a guide to freedom. freedom, responsibility and law go hand-in-hand in the...
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CHAPTER THREELaw as a Guide to Freedom
Freedom, responsibility and law go hand-in-hand in the
moral life
Look to the Law
Freedom and Responsibility
Freedom
“The power, rooted in reason and will, … to perform deliberate
actions on one’s own responsibility” (CCC, 1731)
Characteristics of Freedom
Freedom and Responsibility
Determinism
The philosophy that holds that every event, action,
and decision results from something independent of
the human will.
Characteristics of Freedom
Freedom and ResponsibilityKinds of Freedom
External freedom freedom from factors outside of ourselves that threaten to destroy our power to exercise choice.
Internal freedom freedom from interior factors that limit choice.
Freedom and ResponsibilityLimits of Freedom
Human freedom is not absolute but limited.
True freedom is not license.
Freedom and ResponsibilityAbuses Against Freedom
Abuses of freedom results in sin.
Major impediments to the exercise of true freedom:
Ignorance – not knowing what we should do or not do
Inadvertence – not paying attention or being distracted while acting
Duress – freedom is impeded when someone tries to force us to do something
Inordinate attachments – money or other possessions enslave us and we do not act with full freedom
Fear – panic in the face of danger
Habit – repeated behaviors that are good (virtues) or bad (vices)
Responsibility
imputableAscribed,
attributed, or definitely linked to a
specific accountable
person or entity
Emotions and Morality
Emotions are morally neutral. However, to the degree that they engage our reason and will, we can find moral good or evil in them.
Responsibility
In Union With Christ
Jesus is the fundamental norm of Christian morality.
Jesus is the standard or model on whom we should pattern our lives.
Responsibility
In Union With ChristResponsibility
norms
Guidelines or laws that can help regulate
human freedom
In Union With Christ
Source of norms are Scriptures, Tradition, and human reason.
Belief Values Principles
Responsibility
Law
Law and Morality
“An ordinance of reason for the common good, promulgated by the
one who is in charge of the community” (Saint Thomas
Aquinas, in CCC, 1976).
Elements of Law:
Law is reasonable.
Law is for the common good.
Competent authority makes law.
Law must be promulgated.
Law and Morality
natural law
Law and Morality
The reasoned participation of humans in God’s eternal law that reveals what God intends us to do and to avoid according to his wise
and loving plan.
Natural LawNatural law is our participation in the divine law.Natural law teaches us what to do and what to avoid.Natural law corresponds to three basic human drives and needs:
Preserving lifeDeveloping as individuals and communitiesSharing life with others
Natural law is universal, permanent, and unchanging throughout history.
Law and Morality
The Old Law
Also known as the Law of Moses
Ten Commandments summarize the moral prescriptions of the old Law
Law and Morality
The New Law
Divine Law has four purposes:It helps us stay on the right path on our journey to God.It helps us discern what is right when there are conflicting ideas of right and wrong.It speaks of motivation.It indicates what is sinful.
Law and Morality
New Law
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the new law.It helps us understand the core attitudes that precede our actions.Can be summarized in two Gospel teachings:
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” (Mt 7:12)“Love one another as I love you.” (Jn 15:12)
Law and Morality
Law and MoralityVows taken to
poverty, chastity, and obedience in order to live the
Gospel more fully. The evangelical counsels were
typically embraced by those in religious
life.
evangelical counsels
The New Law
Law and MoralityThe New Law
canon law
The full body of officially
established rules governing the
Catholic Church, which was last
revised in 1983.
precepts of the Church
The minimal obligations for
members in good standing of the Catholic faith community
Church LawSix Precepts of the Church:
1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.
2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
3. You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter season.
4. You shall keep holy the holy days of obligation.
5. You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.
6. The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his abilities.
Law and Morality
VocabularyFreedomDeterminismImputableLawNatural lawEvangelical counselsPrecepts of the ChurchCanon law