Christian ethics and moral theology
Christian ethics and moral theology
This domain tests the sources of moral theology, natural law, conscience, virtue, the structure of a moral act, intrinsic evil, double effect and Catholic social teaching.
Foundations
- Sources: Scripture, Tradition, and reason (natural law, Rom 2:14-15).
- Aquinas (ST I-II q.90-97): natural law flows from the eternal law; synderesis grasps primary precepts.
- A moral act is judged by object, intention and circumstances (the fontes moralitatis).
- Veritatis Splendor 80-83 rejects proportionalism and affirms intrinsically evil acts.
- Conscience must be formed (Gaudium et Spes 16); invincible ignorance reduces culpability.
Catholic social teaching
- Principles: human dignity, common good, subsidiarity (Quadragesimo Anno 79-80), solidarity, preferential option for the poor, stewardship.
- Just war (CCC 2309): legitimate authority, just cause, comparative justice, right intention, last resort, probability of success, proportionality.
Worked example
A terminal cancer patient receives high-dose morphine that may hasten death. Reasoning: double effect - the act (relieving pain) is good; the intention is relief, not death; the bad effect is foreseen but not intended; proportionality holds because relief outweighs the risk. Contrast euthanasia, where death is the means or end, which is never permitted.
Traps that cost marks
- Reducing conscience to feelings.
- Claiming double effect permits direct killing.
- Confusing material and formal cooperation with evil.
- Treating Catholic social teaching as party politics.