MORAL THEOLOGY & CATHOLIC DECISION MAKING

Part VI: The Moral Act

THE JOKER’S “SOCIAL EXPERIMENT” Making ethical choices.

All Choices Have Outcomes.

ALL MORAL ACTION HAS THREE PARTS:

The Moral Act

•OBJECT

•INTENTION

•CIRCUMSTANCE

OBJECT

“The primary and decisive element for moral judgment is the object of the human act, which establishes

whether it is capable of being ordered to the good and to the ultimate end,

which is God.” (VS #79)

INTRINSIC EVIL“...There are acts which, in and of themselves,

independently of circumstances and intentions, are always gravely illicit by reason of their

object; such as blasphemy and perjury, murder and adultery. One may not do evil so that good

may result from it.” (CCC #1756)

“CONSEQUENTLY, CIRCUMSTANCES OR INTENTIONS CAN NEVER TRANSFORM AN

ACT INTRINSICALLY EVIL BY VIRTUE OF ITS OBJECT INTO AN ACT ‘SUBJECTIVELY’ GOOD

OR DEFENSIBLE AS A CHOICE.” (VS #81)

INTENTION

Because the moral agent is a subject, there needs to be a subjective element to the

discernment of moral action.

ENDS DON’T JUSTIFY MEANS.No good intention can make ever make evil good.

“THE ROAD TO HELL......is paved by good intentions.”

circumstances

w5h1WHO?

WHAT?

WHERE?

WHEN?

WHY?

HOW?

Faulty Popular Positions

To pursue the maximization of pleasure and the minimization of pain.

Utilitarianism

“Utilitarianism is the annihilation of morality.”

KantianismThe Categorical Imperative:

“Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law.”

The Principle of Double Effect

Five Necessary Conditions•The action must be good in itself

• The agent must have the right intention; good effect directly

intended

•The evil outcome, although foreseen, is not intended

•The first effect must be good and not the result of the unintended

outcome (i.e. The unintended must be a side-effect, not the means)

• There must be a proportionately grave reason to justify the action

A Case StudyThe pregnant woman with uterine cancer.

St. Gianna Beretta MollaPatronness of mothers, pre-born children & physicians

Gianna Emanuela Molla

TUNE IN NEXT WEEK TUESDAY, 13 DECEMBER @ 7PM

Practical Applications 1: Dignity of Human Life