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ETHICS THEME 2
PART B - Coggle Diagram
ETHICS THEME 2
PART B
Thomas Aquinas
- Aquinas said "to disparage the dictate of reason is equivalent to condemning the command of god"
- Order and purpose that we observe in the world reflects the will of god and something is 'good' when it achieves its God-given purpose
- the ultimate purpose of humans is to reach union and fellowship with god because we are made in his image.
- God is the 'highest hood' to which humans strive and they should aim to fulfil god's will
- 13th Century Catholic theologian
Would humans knowingly pursue evil?
- no as according to Aquinas, humans are naturally included to "achieve good and avoid evil" to fulfil our telos
- we naturally know what 'good' is due to our god-given reason
Interior and Exterior Acts:
- both were important but a bad exterior act is not made morally 'right' by a good interior act. acts are intrinsically good or bad because when humans act in accordance with their telos, god is glorified
Revealed Virtues
What are they?
- revealed through the bible (divine law)
- superlative as they define and direct all other virtues
- perfect as they're absolute and superlative
- inspirational as can't be fully achieved in this world, acting as a standard to which humans should strive
- Aquinas believed that once we consolidate these virtues through practice, the Precepts become second nature, and we are able to follow Natural Law expertly and end up in fellowship with God in Heaven
The Revealed Virtues:
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- Hope- Desire to be with God in Heaven
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- "and now these three remain: faith hope and love. but the greatest of these is love" (1 corinthians 13:13)
Cardinal Virtues
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- Represent qualities our god-given reason says we need for moral life
- allow us to do 'real goods'
- develops ability to use reason correctly
what they are:
- Prudence( rational judgement)
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- Justice ( fair behaviour and treatment of others)
- Temperance ( moderation/self-control)
what is apparent good:
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- An action that seems good if we don't have full knowledge of virtues and precepts, but that we have ultimately reasoned wrongly
- These mistakes will lead people away from fellowship with God
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- Using contraception- Reproduce
- Having an abortion as you aren't financially capable
what is Real Good:
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- An action that is good, individual/independent opinion
- Right reason, through knowledge of precepts, virtues and intentions.
- By striving for the Real Good, one will be following Natural Law authentically and achieve fellowship with God.
- For example; praying when you have sinned