Unit 3 Test Review Chapters 7 & 8

Plato Who compared the good to the sun? He believed the closest we come to the good is in contemplation. He believed that philosophers were closest to the good. In his work The Republic he taught that the ideal city-state would be ruled by philosopher-kings. Struggled against the teachings of sophism: it argued that there is no truth, moral values were relative.

Aristotle Believed that philosophers were most likely to succeed in search for happiness and the good. Thought his teacher’s view of the good was too abstract. Taught: ◦Absolute good can only be found in God. ◦Good is inscribed by God into the nature of all things. ◦To find the good: find its purpose. ◦Good found in the middle ground, not in extremes ◦Highest form of happiness to live an ethical life. ◦To engage ethically is to engage our capacity to reason.

St. Thomas Aquinas Made extensive use of Aristotle’s teachings. Agreed with Aristotle: the ethical comes from the end inscribed in all creatures. God is the highest good. Believed in a fuller happiness called “Blessedness” found only in a loving vision of God. People live the good life by using intelligence & senses, desires,

Name the Cardinal Virtue (wait for the description!) How to act well in relation to others ◦Justice How to balance one’s exercise of the emotions. ◦Temperance ◦(Moderation) How to reason well in moral decision- making ◦Prudence How to face life’s difficulties, the mean between being foolhardy and cowardly ◦Courage ◦Fortitude

Emmanuel Levinas The infinite Good, who is God, is a the heart of ethics The other calls one to the highest good.

Immanuel Kant Good is only good if done out of duty An act is not moral if you enjoy doing it. Reason dictates what is good. The only good is a good will. Never use a person as a means

Whose ethics was deontological? Immanuel Kant

Who taught a teleological ethics? Aristotle St. Thomas Aquinas

Catholicism’s 3 ways of pursuing the good? Teleological ◦Natural ethics Deontological ◦Obligation & duty Follow the teachings of the Gospel.

The communion of the saints There are no recipes since we’re all unique These people provide standards of excellence that we can follow in our own lives.

Virtues Firm attitudes Stable dispositions Habitual perfections Govern our actions Order our passions Guide our actions according to reason & faith Make possible ease & self-mastery in leading a good life Are acquired by human effort

Temperance Connected to taking proper care of oneself Touches on the basic appetites and passions Part of one’s desire for self- preservation Is a love that is life-giving & selfless

Chastity Shows: ◦Respect ◦Reverence ◦Patience ◦Selflessness ◦Maturity The integration of one’s sexuality, an apprenticeship in self-mastery Reflects the classic rule about sexuality ◦Unitive & procreative

Solicitude Anxious concern for the other Arises out of a regard for the other

Institutions Stable sets or systems of meanings, beliefs & values that promote our search for the good. Give structure to our societal expectations The backbone of the common good Spaces for acting together, where justice & equality are central E.g., ◦Family ◦The state ◦Health Care ◦Churches ◦Market economy

LAW The highest expression of a norm of action. Requires ◦One (or more) to make it ◦A specific directive of action ◦Consideration for the common good ◦Being intended for a specific group ◦obligation

Canon Law (Ecclesiastical Law) Interpretation of Divine or God’s Law Guides practice and teaching of the Church

The Common Good Focuses on the general well-being of all in society Seeks to meet the needs of all people Protects the freedom of all

Apply generally in all circumstances E.g., ◦You shall not murder ◦Always be just ◦The Golden Rule Absolute Rules

Generally Binding Rules Apply in all circumstances unless another compelling rule is in conflict

Nuggets of wisdom? Maxims Proverbs

Natural Law “Written & engraved on the soul” Written within our capacity to reason “is the light of understanding placed in us by God.”

1 st principle of natural law The principle of synderesis Do good and avoid evil.

Name the Theological Virtues Faith Hope Love ◦Caritas or charity

Good Law (characteristics of) Based on reason Promulgated By legitimate authority For the common good