Ethics and Morals

1. Ethics and Morals HRE 40 Unit 4 Mr. Carney

2. Morality and Ethics • Morality is understanding the distinction between right and wrong and living according to that understanding • Ethics is the philosophy of how that morality guides individual and group behavior http://www.ask.com/question/what-is-the-difference-between-morality-and-ethics

3. Suffering • Why do we suffer? • Freewill vs. everything happens for a reason? If there is a God, why does ‘it’ let us suffer?

4. Christian / Catholic Understanding • God does not like suffering • Guideline after guideline is given in the Bible – each presents a method for ‘right living’ • Ex. 10 Commandments, Beatitudes, Parables of Jesus, etc • Does God want us to suffer then? • No – we are given the ability to end suffering • We are also given the ability to promote and sustain suffering

5. Why do bad things happen to good people? • Rabbi Kushner authored the famous book ‘Why do bad things happen to good people?’ • In his conclusion, he states that we basically do not have the answers, and that pain and tragedy are a necessary consequence of a world over which God does not exercise complete control.

6. Kushner continued… • God, in Kushner's view, created the world and provides the foundation of moral principle. But God cannot quite control the world that has been created. • God hopes for our good and sympathizes with us in our pain, but is powerless to do anything about it – because we have been given freewill

7. Suffering Continued… • Suffering is that it is part of a process of self-development ― in effect a process of birth of the self. • Though we would never choose intense suffering for ourselves, faith that it is part of a growth process can take away, if not the pain, at least some of its sting.

8. The Christian / Catholic Call • In light of the existence of suffering, Catholics believe that it we are all obligated to minister to those around us • Every biblical guideline meets this standard of living, and encourages us to educate ourselves, and seek opportunities to help those in need. • This is done through service, reflection, prayer, etc. • The call then, encompasses every aspect of our lives – and is completely relevant to any society – modern or historic.

9. S.T.O.P • Search out the Facts • Addressing the who, what, when, where, why, and how is the beginning to making the moral decision.

10. ‘S’earch out the facts • What is right and wrong? Search out the facts: • WHAT? Know what you are talking about. • What do you propose to do? • What is moral object? • What is it that you are deciding? (i.e. intention) • What are the circumstances?  • WHY? What are my motives? Or WHY am I doing this? • Why do I propose to act this way?  • WHO? Who is involved? • What is their situation or responsibility?  • WHEN? The timing of the action can affect the morality of it.  • HOW? The means used to bring about the desired action:

11. ‘T’hinking • After searching out the facts, we must think about the ALTERNATIVES and the CONSEQUENCES; it is necessary to reflect upon the basic facts before making a decision.  • ALTERNATIVES: Consider the variety of way to approach the problem. • CONSEQUENCES: Reflect on the consequences of each alternative.

12. ‘O’thers • How will an act affect other people? • Christians believe that we live for others. By consulting other we are able to get a second opinion, etc. • Don’t just consult with anyone: The person should have our best interest at heart and always remember that a true friend will “level” with us and not just tell us what we want to hear.

13. ‘P’rayer • Put yourself consciously in the presence of the Lord. • 4 Ways To Pray: • Pray with others; • Meditation with or without Scripture; • Reflect upon the events in our lives; • Ask for things in God’s name