Chapter TwoMaking Moral Decisions

Right Reason in Action p.48-49

Prudence

The moral virtue that inclines us to lead good, ethical, and moral lives of action; “right

reason in action,” as St. Thomas Aquinas said.

Right Reason in Action p.48-49

Prudence

St. Basil said: Prudence must precede every action that we undertake; for, if prudence be wanting, there is nothing, however good it may seem, which is not turned into evil.

Right Reason in Action

Prudence is necessary for correct judgment.

Prudence forms our character and helps us to more easily make good choices and then act on them.

Right Reason in Action

Discernment

A decision-making process that attends to the implications and consequences of an action or

choice.

Right Reason in Action

Discernment

We’ll find that when we use discernment in making decisions we tend to follow the moral code that we’ve set up.

Yes or No?Think about the following scenarios and then answer yes or no. -Is it okay to get drunk if you are not driving-Is it okay to cheat on a test if everyone else is doing it?-Is it okay to lie to a parent if you know sometimes, your parent lies too?-Is it okay to shoplift something that costs less than $5?

How would you make a decision?

How would you make a decision in for each scenario?

i.e. Would you talk it over with someone?

Would you think about the consequences?

Abandon Ship Scenario

-Let’s read the following scenario and discuss the decision making process and outcome as a class

Right Reason in Action

STOPSTOP

Search out the facts

Think about the various alternatives and consequences

Others-consult them/consider how your actions will affect them

Pray to the Lord

for guidance

SSearch Out the Facts- p. 50-56

The S of the STOP sign method deals with-

-The Moral Object: “what”- the content or matter of a moral decision

-Intention: Why a person does something

-Circumstances: when, where, how the action took place

SSearch Out the Facts- p. 50-56

You are struggling with Calculus half-way through the semester.

Making moral decisions often requires creativity. It demands looking at more than one alternative and critiquing the consequences of each possible decision.

Analyze alternatives for the above scenario.

SSearch Out the Facts- p. 50-56

A morally good act demands that the who, what, why, when, where, how of a situation all be good together!

SSearch Out the FactsMoral Object

WHAT

What is the content or “matter” of our moral

decisions

Helps reveal to us whether the matter

of our action is good or bad

Search out the FactsMoral Object

Actions consist of some of the following elements:

•Actions express who we are (Girl visiting grandmother expresses she is sensitive and caring)

•Actions make or form us into the persons we are growing to be (i.e. consistently cheating on a test is making you into a cheater

•Actions impact the world around us, doing good or bringing about harm (A boyfriend encouraging his girlfriend to get an abortion is impacting the life of the unborn child.)

Moral Object

The moral content of an action that suggests whether the action is directed toward the

true good.

Search out the Facts

Most actions are easy to discover if what we propose to do conforms or does not

conform to our true good.

i.e. Student picking up neighbour to drive to school

Some actions are intrinsically evil and are always wrong because they go against

God’s will and destroy human good:

i.e. murder, adultery, theft, rape, blasphemy

Search out the Facts

Search out the FactsTwo Rules of Morality

Your acts must promote the true good of humans or they are wrong.

Make sure your actions always conform to objective norms of morality like the Ten Commandments.

Search out the FactsMake a decision if the following actions or moral or immoral. Judge them to be moral if they promote the true good of human beings and are in accord with God’s will;

judge them to be immoral if they are contrary to human good.

-hastening the death of an aged, terminally ill cancer patient

-telling people what you think they want to hear rather than what you truly believe

-posing for a pornographic magazine

Intention

The aim or objective of a

course of action;

WHY?

Search out the Facts

Search out the Facts

Intention

Is targeted at the goal of an action, what good (or evil) I want to happen.

Why am I doing this?

Search out the FactsIntention

Rules for governing intentions:

1. Keep the intention good – for something to be morally good both the action and intention must be good.

Example: A person gives money to a worthy cause BUT the intention is to buy political favours. The act may benefit a good charity, but the intention is to gain power and buy votes, making it an immoral act.

Search out the Facts2. The end does not justify the means – for an action to be moral, the means must be moral

Means: A method, course of action , or instrument by which something can be accomplished

Example: A doctor performs experimental tests on non-consenting patients in order to develop a vaccine for a virus.

Search out the FactsRead the section entitled:

Intention on p. 52-54.

Take special note of the examples used in this section.

When you are done reading- complete the activity on p. 55. “What is Motive?” Be prepared to discuss.

Search out the FactsCircumstances- p. 54-56

circumstances

The conditions or facts attending an event and having

some bearing on it. Can increase or

decrease the moral goodness or evil of

an action.

Search out the FactsThe answers to questions that begin with who,

where, when, and how

Search out the FactsCircumstances

Circumstances of themselves cannot change the moral quality of acts themselves; they can make neither good nor right an action that is in itself evil (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1754)

Search out the FactsIn other words..

Circumstances are secondary elements of a moral act; they cannot make an action that is evil in itself good.

Search out the FactsLet’s read…

p.54-56: Circumstances

CASE: Courageous Sacrifice or an Old Fool?

Answer questions with a partner

Search out the FactsLori’s DilemmaLori took her math final in the first period. At lunch, she runs into her

best friend Julie who says she didn’t have a chance to study for the test because she had to take her mom to the hospital the night before following an accident. Julie really needs to get a “b” on the test if she is going to have any chance to get a college scholarship. Her family is very poor and Julie needs the money in order to attend college. Julie asks Lori to tell her some of the problems given on the test or to at least help her compose a cheat sheet with the formulas she can take with her to class.

 For Lori, determine:  1. The moral object 2. The intentions 3. The circumstances

Search out the FactsIN PAIRS, THINK OF THREE

SCENARIOS:In one, make the intention and circumstances good, but

the moral object wrong.

In another, make the circumstances and action good, but the intention wrong.

In the final case, make one of the circumstances wrong, thus making the proposed action immoral.

*Each group will present one of their scenarios. Please have it be detailed, creative, and plausible.

Think About the Alternatives and ConsequencesAlternatives

Until alternatives are considered, moral decisions should not be made.

Thinking out alternatives involves creativity and dreaming.

Think About the Alternatives and ConsequencesConsequences

We should never act without considering the consequences of our actions.

Consequences are not the only or decisive factor in the morality of actions; the moral object is the decisive factor.

Ask the following question: Would I be willing to allow everyone in a similar situation to act this way?

Others- p.60-62

Others• Fundamental aspect about humans is that

we are social beings.• We depend on each other for most aspects

of our lives (education, employment, et cetera).

• Logic dictates that our decisions should take into account how it is going to affect others.

• Ex. Smoking cigarettes – Smoking in an enclosed area affects others who do not smoke.

Others- p.60-62

Others• If you had a major decision to make (in life,

about your own life goals), who is one person you would most likely wish to consult?

Others- The Boy and the Box

• A little boy was trying to lift a heavy box. He could not even budge it. His father happened to walk by and stopped to watch his son’s struggle. The boy exerted all his energy and them some, but still could not get the box to move. Finally, the father asked him: “Are you doing everything possible to lift the heavy load?” The boy yelled out in frustration, “Yes, I am!” The father countered calmly, “I don’t think so. You haven’t asked me to help you.”

Others- The Boy and the Box

• How hard is it for you to ask for help?• How many of us see asking for help as a

sign of defeat?• Is there any shame in admitting that you

cannot do something on your own?• **Remember Humans are social beings

and thus must rely on each other. Isolation is contrary to the essence of humanity.

Others

Be Considerate of Others

We must always ask how our proposed actions will affect others.

We must heed the advice of those who are wiser than us.

OthersBe Consultive of Others• All people seek aid. Doctors consult, teachers work

together, athletes rely on coaches, singers on voice coaches. Why should it differ for moral choices?

Consult with people who have made tough decisions before and take their advice.

The Church and its Magisterium

Forming our consciences only after considering the good of all, and paying attention to the moral law as taught by the Church’s Magisterium, is a proven way to discern and do God’s will.

Others• Questions to ask yourself when deciding

on a moral act:• 1) Would I want what I am doing done to

me?• 2)Would I be proud to do this in front of

my mom, dad or siblings?• 3)Would I want my decision and action

broadcast on the evening news?

Others• Regardless of how hard you try, you can

never escape the hard fact that we live in communion.

• In order for life to continue and move forward we MUST work with others.

• For our relationships to be meaningful and fruitful we must take caution in how our actions affect others.

PrayChristian moral living is sustained by prayer.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines prayer as “the living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with his Son Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit (2565)

An Example of Jesus Praying• 32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his

disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”  35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[f] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

•  39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

•  41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Prayer

• Jesus instructed us to pray often; alone and with others, to be persistent and to pray with forgiveness and trust in our hearts.

• “For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Lk 11:10)

The Lord’s Prayer

• Taught to us by Jesus as the summary of the gospel

• Two notable features:• 1) We call God father and ask for his will to

be done. If he is our father then we are all siblings and must act toward each other in that fashion.

• 2) We should seek to do God’s will which is the source of happiness. Helps us with morality.

Conversation with God

• Conversation has two parts:• 1) Talking – we praise God, thank God,

express our sorrow over our sins, pray for others, and ask for various favours.

• 2)Listening – God guides us through our minds, feelings, imaginations, emotions and memories. Gives us “clues” through many different ways – conscience.

How Can Prayer Help?

• Prayer teaches us to turn to the Lord for help.

• Prayer reminds us that God’s help is all around; in church leaders, teachers, parents, friends.

Reflect..• Please read p. 63- 65 including the section

entitled “Responding to Challenges”.• 1. Answer the Review and Reflection

question in your notebook.• 2. Ensure you have completed #1-3 on p.

63. • 3. Compose a short 3 sentence prayer that

could help guide you in important decision making in your life. Ensure you know these terms: Prudence, Discernment, Moral object, Intention, Means, Circumstances

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VocabularyPrudenceDiscernmentMoral objectIntentionMeansCircumstances