 The Virtue of Prudence  Aquinas – “right reason in action”  How do we grow in prudence? Grace Experience Honest evaluation of mistakes  The Stop Sign Method The Stop Sign Method

STOP

CCC 1750  Moral Object  What  Intention (motive)  Why  Circumstances  Who-When-Where-How

 Defined: (CCC 1731)  Determinists vs. Self-Determining  Kinds of Freedom  Limits of Freedom  Abuses Against Freedom  Responsibility

 The Process The Process  The Fundamental Norm of Christianity

Norms PrinciplesValuesDoctrines Creeds

 What does good law do?  The Moral Law  St. Thomas Aquinas  Definition of Law Elements of Law  Natural Law Natural Law  Civil Law  Civil Disobedience  Revealed Law  Old Law Old Law  New Law  Divine Law  Four Purposes of….according to Aquinas  Church Law  The six precepts of the Church

I.I am the Lord your God, you shall not have other gods before me II.You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain III.Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day IV.Honor your father and mother V.You shall not kill VI.You shall not commit adultery VII.You shall not steal VIII.You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor IX.You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife X.You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods I.Love your enemies –Be good to those who hate you –Pray for people who hurt you II.Do not condemn what is in other people’s hearts –Only God can judge –Pay more attention to working on your own weaknesses than on the weaknesses of others III.Be as concerned about your intentions as your actions –What is in your heart? IV.Do not spend your whole life seeking security and comfort –Dedicate yourself to the things of the Spirit and God will take care of you

 Participation in the divine law Light of understanding God placed in us at creation  Teaches us: What to do What to avoid  Corresponds to three basic human needs/drives 1)Preserving Life 2)Developing as individuals and communities 1)Sharing life with others

 Do Good – Avoid Evil oAristotle oAll other moral principles flow from this  Do Unto Others What You Would Have Them Do To You oAgreed upon by the world’s major religions  The End Does Not Justify The Means oPurpose and Method oPrinciple of Proportionality  Natural Law oFollowing what is natural for human beings and rest of creation