The Principles of The Principles of

MoralityMoralityUnit II

What is Freedom?0The power, rooted in reason and will,

to act or not to act.

0 Just like with Peter Parker,

“With great power comes great responsibility”

2

Morality“Freedom makes humans moral subjects”

0Morality: the sinfulness or goodness of an act0Humans have inherited the wisdom and goodness of

the Creator who gave humans mastery over their acts and the ability to govern themselves with a view to the TRUE and the GOOD.

0 In order to believe this you must believe that there is such a thing as objective truth and good

Two Truths0 Subjective: based on somebody’s

opinions or feelings rather than on facts or evidence. Ex. I think The Simpsons is way

better than Family Guy OR… Ex. Ellen DeGeneres pwns Oprah

any day!

0 Objective: based on facts rather than thoughts or opinions. Ex. There are 365 days in a year.

So based on our understanding of Morality and Objective Truth…

Is Murder Wrong?

What would Michael Corleone or Tony Soprano say?

The Godfather

• Part II• Fredo’s betrayal of brother Michael• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=FeZ5GpcG4sc&feature=related

• Part III• Michael’s guilt• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2QvuZpxmeo

Objective Truth: Murder is Wrong!

0Immoral – contrary to accepted moral principlesDepends entirely on your definition of moral (what is right

and what is wrong)Ex. This pin is clearly a racist and inappropriate statement

and therefore immoral in nature.

Amoral – lacking any moral standards or simply not caring about good moralsEx. The Joker

Conscience

0The inner voice of a person guiding a person to do good and avoid evil. “Humans have in their hearts a law inscribed by

God… A conscience is a person’s most secret core and sanctuary. There a person is alone with God whose voice echoes their depths.”

Conscience is a “judgment of reason” whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of an act

Conscience enables the human person to “assume responsibility for the acts performed.”