Unit 3 Test ReviewChapters 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 VirtueHow to act well in relation to others

◦JusticeHow 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?AristotleSt. 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 attitudesStable dispositionsHabitual perfectionsGovern our actionsOrder our passionsGuide our actions according to reason &

faithMake possible ease & self-mastery in

leading a good lifeAre 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 expectationsThe backbone of the common goodSpaces for acting together, where justice &

equality are centralE.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?

MaximsProverbs

Natural Law

“Written & engraved on the soul”

Written within our capacity to reason

“is the light of understanding placed in us by God.”

1st principle of natural law

The principle of synderesis

Do good and avoid evil.

Name the Theological Virtues

FaithHopeLove◦Caritas or charity

Good Law (characteristics of)

Based on reasonPromulgatedBy legitimate authority

For the common good