1. Unit 4: Morality

2. Section 1: Introduction to Morality

3. Introduction to Morality Read the following statements and consider: What strikes you or comes to mind as you read each statement? What strikes you or comes to mind as you read each statement? Which statement do you agree with the most? Why? Which statement do you agree with the most? Why? 1. Most people are morally good. 2. Most people try to be morally good, but sometimes people fail to live and act morally. 3. Most people have a sense of morality, but people often fail to live morally exemplary or even praiseworthy lives.

4. Introduction to Morality  How would you define morality?

5. Introduction to Morality  How would you define morality?  Difference between Good and Bad, Right and Wrong  Theoretical – how we ought to act  Practical – what we actually do  Involves both the Self and Relations with Other People  Universally Accepted Moral Sense  Personal/Individual Moral Sense

6. Introduction to Morality  Morality: A Basic Definition  The human decision making capacity  Both theoretical and practical  Deliberately done  Based on an understanding of right and wrong  Universal and Personal/Individual  That affects self and others  In positive or negative ways

7. Introduction to Morality  Morality: Two Components  Universally Accepted Moral Sense  Law of Human Nature  Personal/Individual Moral Sense  Situated in a person’s life context or the specific circumstances of life  Surface level factors  gender, ethnicity, nationality  Deeper level factors  social structures and social institutions  Family, education, government, economic, religion  Generational factors  Gen-X, Millennials, Cyber  Cultural factors  Classical, modern, post-modern

8. Introduction to Morality What is Morality? What is Morality? The abstract or theoretical understanding of right and wrong The abstract or theoretical understanding of right and wrong A general or universal sense (The Law of Human Nature) A general or universal sense (The Law of Human Nature) Major question – “Who ought I to be?” Major question – “Who ought I to be?” Focus is on “good v. bad” person Focus is on “good v. bad” person What is Ethics? What is Ethics? The practical application of moral theory to specific situations or topics The practical application of moral theory to specific situations or topics Major question – “What ought I to do?” Major question – “What ought I to do?” Focus is on “right v. wrong” actions Focus is on “right v. wrong” actions

9. Introduction to Morality  Moral Reasoning  Return to Epistemology (O’Malley)  “Your subjective opinion is only as good as the objective evidence which backs it up.”  This still applies now more than ever  Be precise with your language  Ex. Is ≠ Seems  Listen closely to the opinions of others

10. Introduction to Morality Moral Distinctions Moral Distinctions Moral – a decision that positively affects others Moral – a decision that positively affects others Promotes human welfare Promotes human welfare Immoral – a decision that negatively affect others Immoral – a decision that negatively affect others Harmful and destructive Harmful and destructive Nonmoral – a decision that has neither a positive nor a negative affect on others Nonmoral – a decision that has neither a positive nor a negative affect on others Neither harms nor hurts Neither harms nor hurts Amoral – a person who has no sense of right or wrong; the person is insensitive to the moral effects of actions or doesn’t have the capacity to decide Amoral – a person who has no sense of right or wrong; the person is insensitive to the moral effects of actions or doesn’t have the capacity to decide

11. Introduction to Morality Identify and briefly describe 10 Moral Issues that the candidates for the presidency must address in the upcoming election Identify and briefly describe 10 Moral Issues that the candidates for the presidency must address in the upcoming election Create four short cases that illustrate moral decisions that can be described as each of the following: Moral, Immoral, Non-moral, and Amoral Create four short cases that illustrate moral decisions that can be described as each of the following: Moral, Immoral, Non-moral, and Amoral

12. Introduction to Morality Identify and briefly describe 10 Moral Issues that the newly elected and appointed government officials must address Identify and briefly describe 10 Moral Issues that the newly elected and appointed government officials must address Create four short cases that illustrate moral distinctions that can be described as each of the following: Moral, Immoral, Non-moral, and Amoral Create four short cases that illustrate moral distinctions that can be described as each of the following: Moral, Immoral, Non-moral, and Amoral

13. Introduction to Morality  Christian Morality  What is it? How is it different from morality?  The way a person lives his life in response to being in a loving relationship with God through his son Jesus  Based on the Creation Stories of Genesis  “God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.” “God blessed them, saying to them: ‘Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.’” “God blessed them, saying to them: ‘Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.’”

14. Introduction to Morality  Christian Morality  Based on the Creation Stories of Genesis  “God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.” Mankind is divine (good, holy, sacred, revered) Mankind is divine (good, holy, sacred, revered) Mankind is intrinsically and fundamentally Good (all of creation has value and worth) Mankind is intrinsically and fundamentally Good (all of creation has value and worth) Recognize the dignity and worth of the human person and that each person deserves a minimal level of respect Recognize the dignity and worth of the human person and that each person deserves a minimal level of respect Man and woman are created at the same time and are equals in status before God Man and woman are created at the same time and are equals in status before God

15. Introduction to Morality  Christian Morality  Based on the Creation Stories of Genesis “God blessed them, saying to them: ‘Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.’” “God blessed them, saying to them: ‘Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.’” Dominion – power/sovereignty over and responsibility for the well-being of God's creation Dominion – power/sovereignty over and responsibility for the well-being of God's creation Stewardship – the careful and responsible management of the Created World which God entrusted to our care Stewardship – the careful and responsible management of the Created World which God entrusted to our care

16. Introduction to Morality  Christian Morality Not just a list of rules to follow Not just a list of rules to follow The 10 Commandments, The Beatitudes The 10 Commandments, The Beatitudes The search for the whole person The search for the whole person Being a “good” person, not just doing the “right” action Being a “good” person, not just doing the “right” action The every day response to God’s offer of Grace The every day response to God’s offer of Grace Listening to Jesus and the Spirit through prayer Listening to Jesus and the Spirit through prayer Acting in loving service to others Acting in loving service to others A continuous cycle of Reflection and Action A continuous cycle of Reflection and Action How does my belief in God’s love and the redemptive power of the Cross and Resurrection impact how I live and act every day? How does my belief in God’s love and the redemptive power of the Cross and Resurrection impact how I live and act every day?

17. Introduction to Morality  Christian Morality  Just because God freely offers the Grace of redemption and salvation to all of humanity, it does not mean that humans are free to act in any way they desire  Humans achieve salvation through faith and good works  Romans 3: 21 – 4: 25; Galatians 2: 15 – 3: 14; Ephesians 1: 3 – 2: 22; James 2: 14-26  Cheap Grace  A relationship with God that is comforting and taken for granted and results in the belief that “God loves me no matter what; therefore I can do whatever I want.”  Costly Grace  A relationship with God that is challenging and necessitates a response that is costly, but which also offers support, inspiration, and strength and leads to empowerment.

18. Introduction to Morality