Download Slide 1 - Ave Maria Press

CHAPTER THREE
Law as a Guide to Freedom
Look to the Law
Freedom, responsibility and law
go hand-in-hand in the
moral life
Freedom and Responsibility
Characteristics of Freedom
Freedom
“The power, rooted in reason and
will, … to perform deliberate
actions on one’s own
responsibility” (CCC, 1731)
Freedom and Responsibility
Characteristics of Freedom
The philosophy that holds
that every event, action,
and decision results from
something independent of
the human will.
Determinism
Freedom and Responsibility
Kinds of Freedom
External freedom
freedom from
factors outside of ourselves that threaten to
destroy our power to exercise choice.
Internal freedom
freedom from
interior factors that limit choice.
Freedom and Responsibility
Limits of Freedom
Human freedom is not absolute but
limited.
True freedom is not license.
Freedom and Responsibility
Abuses Against Freedom
Abuses of freedom results in sin.
Major impediments to the exercise of true freedom:
Ignorance – not knowing what we should do or not do
Inadvertence – not paying attention or being distracted while
acting
Duress – freedom is impeded when someone tries to force us
to do something
Inordinate attachments – money or other possessions enslave
us and we do not act with full freedom
Fear – panic in the face of danger
Habit – repeated behaviors that are good (virtues) or bad
(vices)
Responsibility
Ascribed,
attributed, or
definitely
linked to a
specific
accountable
person or
entity
imputable
Responsibility
Emotions and Morality
Emotions are morally neutral.
However, to the degree that they
engage our reason and will, we
can find moral good or evil in
them.
Responsibility
In Union With Christ
 Jesus is the fundamental norm of
Christian morality.
 Jesus is the standard or model on
whom we should pattern our
lives.
Responsibility
In Union With Christ
norms
Guidelines or laws
that can help regulate
human freedom
Responsibility
In Union With Christ
Source of norms are Scriptures,
Tradition, and human reason.
Belief
Values
Principles
Law and Morality
Law
“An ordinance of reason for the
common good, promulgated by the
one who is in charge of the
community” (Saint Thomas
Aquinas, in CCC, 1976).
Law and Morality
Elements of Law:
Law is reasonable.
Law is for the common good.
Competent authority makes law.
Law must be promulgated.
Law and Morality
natural law
The reasoned participation of
humans in God’s eternal law that
reveals what God intends us to do
and to avoid according to his wise
and loving plan.
Law and Morality
Natural Law
Natural law is our participation in the
divine law.
Natural law teaches us what to do and what
to avoid.
Natural law corresponds to three basic
human drives and needs:
Preserving life
Developing as individuals and communities
Sharing life with others
Natural law is universal, permanent, and
unchanging throughout history.
Law and Morality
The Old Law
Also known as the Law of
Moses
Ten Commandments summarize
the moral prescriptions of the
old Law
Law and Morality
The New Law
Divine Law has four purposes:
It helps us stay on the right path
on our journey to God.
It helps us discern what is right
when there are conflicting ideas
of right and wrong.
It speaks of motivation.
It indicates what is sinful.
Law and Morality
New Law
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the
new law.
It helps us understand the core
attitudes that precede our actions.
Can be summarized in two Gospel
teachings:
“Do to others whatever you would
have them do to you.” (Mt 7:12)
“Love one another as I love you.” (Jn
15:12)
Law and Morality
The New Law
evangelical
counsels
Vows taken to
poverty, chastity,
and obedience in
order to live the
Gospel more fully.
The evangelical
counsels were
typically embraced
by those in religious
life.
Law and Morality
The New Law
precepts of
the Church
The full body of
officially
established rules
governing the
Catholic Church,
which was last
revised in 1983.
The minimal
obligations for
members in good
standing of the
Catholic faith
community
canon law
Law and Morality
Church Law
Six Precepts of the Church:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy
days of obligation.
You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy
Communion at least during the Easter season.
You shall keep holy the holy days of
obligation.
You shall observe the prescribed days of
fasting and abstinence.
The faithful also have the duty of providing for
the material needs of the Church, each
according to his abilities.
Vocabulary
Freedom
Determinism
Imputable
Law
Natural law
Evangelical counsels
Precepts of the Church
Canon law