MODULE 1

It is very important that a person understand the concept of right

and wrong because this dictates what kind of a person he is. It is
his first dose of elixir in the society for him to survive over the
judgement of his fellow. He does the right thing and he will be
recognized, appreciated and welcomed. He does wrong and he will
be punished, despised and secluded. Morality is a basic
requirement of every living person to be in unison with the bigger
society. In the Christian world, most of the bases of a persons
action, that is moral, action are rooted from the Bible and other
teaching like that of the Catholic which adds the sacred tradition.

At any rate, everyone has his own journey in moral perspective.

The good thing is the dynamism of this life may bring him to a
lucid understanding of what is right or what is wrong, or maybe
the world may put him in a skeptical stance on squaring with
morale decision in a given situation. And so, differences occur
brought about by different teachings and acquisition or
understanding of the given teaching or instruction.

And so, slowly and cumulatively your personhood is slowly shaping.

Consequently, you become of what you speak of, of what sort of
action you show. The way you perceived right and wrong and how
you acted out is whom you are now.
The Decalogue(Ten Commandments) is said to be handed by God God to Moses in Mt. Sinai. It was
etched in two tablets of stone. It is composed of ten basic commandments which were rooted in two
major sources- Love of God and Love of Neighbors.
The beatitudes is said to be some of the most beautiful teachings of Christ to a multitude of people.
Though not in contrast with the ten commandments, beatitudes is more of a gentle teaching. The 10
TEN COMMANDMENTS
1. You shall have no other Gods before me
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
3. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
4. Honor your father and your mother
5. You should not kill
6. You should not commit adultery
7. You should not steal
8. You should not bear false witness against your neighbor
9. You should not covet your neighbor’s wife
10. You should not covet your neighbor’s goods

THE BEATITUDES
1. The poor in spirit are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs
2. Those who mourn are blessed, for they will be comforted
3. The gentle are blessed, for they will inherit the earth
4. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for
they will be filled
5. The merciful are blessed, for they will be shown mercy
6. The pure in heart are blessed, for they will see God.
-

7. The peacemakers are blessed, for they will be called the sons
of God
8. Those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed, for the
kingdom of heaven is theirs
1. Contemporary- referring to the present time. It it most
applicable in present actual issues.

2. Christian-that which pertains to the teaching/principles of

Christ, Sacred Scripture and Apostolic Tradition.

3. Morality-that which deals with human actions in relation to

parameters of right and wrong.
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Guide Questions: (for the parable that follows)

1. Who stood up to test Jesus? How did Jesus answer him? Why do you
Moral Vision Jesus answered him that way?
2. Who were the two persons who simply passed by the victim? Why do
you think they acted that way (considering what the robbers did to the
victim)? How are their actions related to the man who stood up to test
Jesus?
3. Who tried to help the victim of the robbers? Why do you think he acted
that way? (Any word in the parable that somehow gives the answer
away?)
4. When confronted with a moral situation, issue or dilemma, would
people actually act (or react) on the matter differently? If different
people would act or react differently to a moral situation, issue or
dilemma, why do you think they would do so?

1 2

Luke 10:25-37. The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 There was a scholar of the law who stood up 30 Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as
to test him and said, “Teacher, what must I do to he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They
inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus said to him, “What is stripped and beat him and went off leaving him
written in the law? How do you read it?” 27 He half-dead. 31A priest happened to be going down
said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on
with all your heart, with all your being, with all the opposite side. 32 Likewise a Levite came to
your strength, and with all your mind, and your the place, and when he saw him, he passed by
neighbor as yourself.” 28 He replied to him, “You on the opposite side. 33 But a Samaritan traveler
have answered correctly; do this and you will who came upon him was moved with
live.” 29 But because he wished to justify himself, compassion at the sight. 34 He approached the
he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and
bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own
animal, took him to an inn and cared for him.

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1. Who stood up to test Jesus? How did Jesus answer him? Why do you
Jesus answered him that way?
35 The next day he took out two silver coins and
gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, Answer:
‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I According to the Gospel, it was a scholar of the law who stood up to
have given you, I shall repay you on my way test Jesus. Jesus answered him by asking what was written in the law.
back.’ 36 Which of these three, in your opinion, Of course, Jesus would answer that way because the one who was
was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” 37 He testing him is supposed to be knowledgeable about the law.
answered, “The one who treated him with
mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

5 6

2. Who were the two persons who simply passed by the victim? Why do you 3. Who tried to help the victim of the robbers? Why do you think he acted
think they acted that way (considering what the robbers did to the victim)? that way? (Any word in the parable that somehow gives the answer
How are their actions related to the man who stood up to test Jesus?
away?)
Answer:
Answer:
The two persons who saw the victim and simply passed by him was a priest
and a Levite. Both of them would have gone and served in the Temple of A Samaritan traveler tried to help the victim. He poured oil and wine
Jerusalem to have gone that road. Having done that, both of them would over his wounds and bandaged them, lifted him up, took him to an inn,
have been considered “very clean.” The victim is said to have been beaten, cared for him & even paid the innkeeper & asked the latter to take care
stripped and left half-dead—would therefore have been left wounded & of the victim. According to the Gospel, he acted this way because he
bloody. Since blood is “unclean” for the Jews, both the priest and the Levite was moved with compassion. An added context here is that
would not have wanted themselves to be “unclean” as at that time, they were Samaritans were considered “unclean” by the Jews. This being so may
“very clean.” This is related to the scholar of the law since both were simply mean that he didn’t care about being “clean” or “unclean,” he simply
following another written law. cared about another fellow human being.

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4. When confronted with a moral situation, issue or dilemma, would

people actually act (or react) on the matter differently? If different
people would act or react differently to a moral situation, issue or
dilemma, why do you think they would do so?

Answer:
There may be times that when confronted with a moral situation, issue
or dilemma, people would actually act or react differently. This is so
because they may be coming from different perspectives or
background—or in moral terms, they may have different moral visions.

9 10

Moral vision: a way of viewing ourselves & others which shapes who
we are & how we behave morally
Yet during one of the darkest moments of his life, Kobe Bryant turned to
his Catholic faith. In an interview with GQ in 2015 he explained:
fundamentally shapes people’s character
influences people’s decisions & actions
“The one thing that really helped me during that process — I’m Catholic, I
grew up Catholic, my kids are Catholic — was talking to a priest. It was *individual moral vision: refers to the way an individual views oneself
actually kind of funny: He looks at me and says, ‘Did you do it?’ And I say, & others
‘Of course not.’ Then he asks, ‘Do you have a good lawyer?’ And I’m like, shapes how the individual develops as a moral being
‘Uh, yeah, he’s phenomenal.’ So then he just said, ‘Let it go. Move on. influences one’s actions & decisions, as well as the intentions
God’s not going to give you anything you can’t handle, and it’s in his hands underlying those actions & decisions
now. This is something you can’t control. So let it go.’ And that was the
turning point.” influences the way in which one relates to others
*community moral vision: refers to the way the community views itself
& what shapes the relationships within it
influences the laws or moral codes & the way the community deals
with behaviors that do not reflect its moral vision

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Factors that contribute to moral vision:

(might be described as sources of morality)
*important to recognize: all human beings have the capacity to be moral,
even if they do not share the same religious beliefs or have no religious
1. Parents & family: where children quickly learn what is considered to
beliefs at all
be right & wrong by the reactions of others, especially family members,
morality is a fundamental human experience
to their behavior
2. Community: a wider group where children grow up & interact that
Vincent MacNamara:
could also shape their moral vision
[t]here is something deep in us that wants to be moral, that desires
includes: school, friends & peers
goodness…”.
3. State: a much wider group that later on becomes a source of morality,
especially in terms of law—behaviors that are either permitted or
Richard Gula:
prohibited (e.g. violent assault; speeding when driving; theft)
“[t]he innate tendency…to seek perfection…or to be all that one can
where prohibited behaviors are punished
be.”
4. Religion: where people’s views of themselves, others & the world are
shaped by religious beliefs & membership

13 14

To Do: Authentic Assessment.

Fill the following table with what each corresponding box asks of you. Just fill Summarize and integrate your answers from the table that you did in the last
them with your corresponding answer/s. activity, and come up with your personal moral vision.
Parents & Family Community
What kind of person do your parents & family What kind of person does your community I am (kind of person you are or would like to be)…
expect/want/tell you to be? Hence, what moral (school, friends, peers) expect/want/tell you to
vision (view & treatment of yourself & others) be? Hence, what moral vision (view & treatment
does your family want you to have? of yourself & others) does your community want
you to have?
I will (things you would do to yourself & others based on the kind of person
State Religion
What kind of person does your State/ country What kind of person does your religion/ faith you are or would like to be)…
expect/want/tell you to be? Hence, what moral expect/want/tell you to be? Hence, what moral
vision (view & treatment of yourself & others) vision (view & treatment of yourself & others)
does your State/country want you to have? does your religion/faith want you to have

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A. Every human being has a sense of right or wrong. This
perspective maybe held as a guiding principles and there tenacity
to it is at the highest, or maybe just a gentle reminder on how to
act in a given situation but may change in another situation. It is
very important to have this perspective so that man may act with
certain extention and limitation and minimizing conflict with other
person who is acting in the same time and space.

Now the concern surfaces in considering one perspective may

differ from the other. If different perspectives will clash, what
become of the society now? The society will definitely becomes
chaotic. It will become more of a no man's land, fights ensue,
crimes escalate and the like. So moral perspective is important
S

that it can help the society survive in the midst of conflict and
sustain in every step of the way. The big question here is that,
of the many conflicting perspective which one is on the tract of
correctness or rightness? One may claim that he has the right
one but what proof does he have?

So moral perspective must be based on solid source that is

enough to withstand any modified culture or behavior in the
society. Moral perspective must be overwhelming so that the
other, given a very close introspection, may stand no chance of
proving the otherwise. It must be based on something so solid
that it will be unshaken and beyond question in all places at all
times. It must possess an element of universality where all
races and people agree
B. Paradoxes of man refers to inconsistencies that a man holds. It is
a plain contrast between what he wants and what he likes at the
same time. It is indeed a manifestation that man is confused with
perspective and later choosing one which he will consider value.

[Link] value progress, but progress requires change and we don’t like
change — especially when it happens to us.

[Link] all want to be liked. At the same time, we want to be

right. When interacting with others, these desires conflict. We treat
disagreements as zero sum and binary — someone is right and someone
is wrong.

[Link] need constraints to unlock productive creativity, yet we reject

and rebel against those same constraints.

[Link] exalt the value of following rules or “doing things the right
way”, yet nearly every major success (especially “fat tail” success)
comes from breaking/bending/ignoring the rules. And, the people at
the top of most organizations would fail kindergarten ethics.

[Link] treat the ability to be hypocritical as power — we even revere

people who’ve reached “post-hypocritical” status, yet we claim to
disdain it and revel in exposing it.

[Link] all talk about how much we hate being sold to, yet we’re sold
most of our decisions and opinions. We’re not only susceptible, we
crave it.

[Link] expect logic and reason to impact the decisions of others when
we know that our own decisions are emotional.
I. Conversion and Society

1886 Society is essential to the fulfillment of the human vocation. To attain this aim, respect must be
accorded to the just hierarchy of values, which "subordinates physical and instinctual dimensions to
interior and spiritual ones:"8

Human society must primarily be considered something pertaining to the spiritual. Through it, in the
bright light of truth, men should share their knowledge, be able to exercise their rights and fulfill their
obligations, be inspired to seek spiritual values; mutually derive genuine pleasure from the beautiful, of
whatever order it be; always be readily disposed to pass on to others the best of their own cultural
heritage; and eagerly strive to make their own the spiritual achievements of others. These benefits not
only influence, but at the same time give aim and scope to all that has bearing on cultural expressions,
economic, and social institutions, political movements and forms, laws, and all other structures by which
society is outwardly established and constantly developed.9

1887 The inversion of means and ends,10 which results in giving the value of ultimate end to what is
only a means for attaining it, or in viewing persons as mere means to that end, engenders unjust
structures which "make Christian conduct in keeping with the commandments of the divine Law-giver
difficult and almost impossible."11

1888 It is necessary, then, to appeal to the spiritual and moral capacities of the human person and to
the permanent need for his inner conversion, so as to obtain social changes that will really serve him.
the acknowledged priority of the conversion of heart in no way eliminates but on the contrary imposes
the obligation of bringing the appropriate remedies to institutions and living conditions when they are
an inducement to sin, so that they conform to the norms of justice and advance the good rather than
hinder it.12

1889 Without the help of grace, men would not know how "to discern the often narrow path between
the cowardice which gives in to evil, and the violence which under the illusion of fighting evil only makes
it worse."13 This is the path of charity, that is, of the love of God and of neighbor. Charity is the greatest
social commandment. It respects others and their rights. It requires the practice of justice, and it alone
makes us capable of it. Charity inspires a life of self-giving: "Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life will preserve it."14

[Link]

he we find the importance of being with the society. No man should live his life alone. Happiness is not
meant to be experienced alone all the time. We need to connect. We are a people called to serve and
love god together. It is more pleasing to God when a hymn is sung by a congregation. Man cannot live
with his fellow if he is not attuned to some basic principle or values. Respect, care, unity are among
some values man should carry with him in dealing with the society. All these can be traced from God’s
unfailing concern for his flock-his modern Israel.
II. The Common Good

1905 In keeping with the social nature of man, the good of each individual is necessarily related to the
common good, which in turn can be defined only in reference to the human person:

Do not live entirely isolated, having retreated into yourselves, as if you were already justified, but gather
instead to seek the common good together.25

1906 By common good is to be understood "the sum total of social conditions which allow people,
either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily."26 The common
good concerns the life of all. It calls for prudence from each, and even more from those who exercise
the office of authority. It consists of three essential elements:

1907 First, the common good presupposes respect for the person as such. In the name of the common
good, public authorities are bound to respect the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human
person. Society should permit each of its members to fulfill his vocation. In particular, the common good
resides in the conditions for the exercise of the natural freedoms indispensable for the development of
the human vocation, such as "the right to act according to a sound norm of conscience and to safeguard
. . . privacy, and rightful freedom also in matters of religion."27

1908 Second, the common good requires the social well-being and development of the group itself.
Development is the epitome of all social duties. Certainly, it is the proper function of authority to
arbitrate, in the name of the common good, between various particular interests; but it should make
accessible to each what is needed to lead a truly human life: food, clothing, health, work, education and
culture, suitable information, the right to establish a family, and so on.28

1909 Finally, the common good requires peace, that is, the stability and security of a just order. It
presupposes that authority should ensure by morally acceptable means the security of society and its
members. It is the basis of the right to legitimate personal and collective defence.

1910 Each human community possesses a common good which permits it to be recognized as such; it is
in the political community that its most complete realization is found. It is the role of the state to defend
and promote the common good of civil society, its citizens, and intermediate bodies.
1911 Human interdependence is increasing and gradually spreading throughout the world. the unity of
the human family, embracing people who enjoy equal natural dignity, implies a universal common good.
This good calls for an organization of the community of nations able to "provide for the different needs
of men; this will involve the sphere of social life to which belong questions of food, hygiene, education, .
. . and certain situations arising here and there, as for example . . . alleviating the miseries of refugees
dispersed throughout the world, and assisting migrants and their families."29

1912 The common good is always oriented towards the progress of persons: "The order of things must
be subordinate to the order of persons, and not the other way around."30 This order is founded on
truth, built up in justice, and animated by love.
Topic 3 : Solidarity and Social Reality
Social Justice

Respect For the Human Person

1929 Social justice can be obtained only in respecting the transcendent dignity of man. the
person represents the ultimate end of society, which is ordered to him:

What is at stake is the dignity of the human person, whose defense and promotion have been
entrusted to us by the Creator, and to whom the men and women at every moment of history
are strictly and responsibly in debt.35

1930 Respect for the human person entails respect for the rights that flow from his dignity as a
creature. These rights are prior to society and must be recognized by it. They are the basis of
the moral legitimacy of every authority: by flouting them, or refusing to recognize them in its
positive legislation, a society undermines its own moral legitimacy.36 If it does not respect them,
authority can rely only on force or violence to obtain obedience from its subjects. It is the
Church's role to remind men of good will of these rights and to distinguish them from
unwarranted or false claims.

1931 Respect for the human person proceeds by way of respect for the principle that "everyone
should look upon his neighbor (without any exception) as 'another self,' above all bearing in
mind his life and the means necessary for living it with dignity."37 No legislation could by itself
do away with the fears, prejudices, and attitudes of pride and selfishness which obstruct the
establishment of truly fraternal societies. Such behavior will cease only through the charity that
finds in every man a "neighbor," a brother.

1932 The duty of making oneself a neighbor to others and actively serving them becomes even
more urgent when it involves the disadvantaged, in whatever area this may be. "As you did it to
one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."38

1933 This same duty extends to those who think or act differently from us. the teaching of Christ
goes so far as to require the forgiveness of offenses. He extends the commandment of love,
which is that of the New Law, to all enemies.39 Liberation in the spirit of the Gospel is
incompatible with hatred of one's enemy as a person, but not with hatred of the evil that he does
as an enemy.

This is taken from the pages off the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
 8/22/2020

MORALITY AS INNER
CONVICTION
Intro lecture on Vocation: Calling : Inquiry based
discussion

“ Deep within ourselves we discover a

law which we have not laid upon
ourselves which we must obey.”
(Gaudium et Spes #16)

22/08/2020 mgd 1

“I now understand why we have such a law.”

Intro lecture on Vocation: Calling : Inquiry based
“I see the wisdom in this law.”
discussion

“There is something wrong about some of our laws.”

“I am doing this because I value…”

“I will not be tempted by what I can gain from this or by

some pressure of the moment.”

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1
 8/22/2020

… as an Inner Conviction
➢This moral term does not only describe the
Intro lecture on Vocation: Calling : Inquiry based
second way of looking at morality
discussion
but it also
captures the contrast between it and the first
way.
➢For without arises from within: Not simply
imposition by some authority demanding our
obedience but it is a requirement arising from inner
conviction. (cf. “For from the abundance of the
heart, the mouth speaks”. Mt. 12:34)
➢Actions would result from the capacity of man
to internalize and rationalize things.

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KEYWORD: CONSCIENCE
The judgment by which we decide here
Intro lecture on Vocation: Calling : Inquiry based
discussion
and now what we should do as good, or
avoid as evil. It is often called the
“voice of reason” or “voice of God”
because it bids us to do right and avoid
wrong.

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CONSCIENCE
➢ No culture has yet been found in which
Intro lecture on Vocation: Calling : Inquiry based
conscience is not recognized
discussion as a reality.
➢ Greeks – they described it as self-
consciousness, in its role of moral
judgment.
➢ what lies in the heart rather than to
external action,
➢ interior disposition,
➢ the need for purity of intention

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CONSCIENCE
➢ No
Intro one
lecture on is to beCalling
Vocation: forced tobased
: Inquiry act contrary to
his/her own conscience.
discussion
➢ Vatican II – “conscience is the most secret core
& sanctuary of the human person. There,
people are alone w/ God, whose voice echoes
in their depths.”
➢ CCC – “conscience as a judgment of reason,
whereby the human person recognizes the
moral quality of a concrete act that s/he is going
to perform, is in the process of performing, or
has already performed”.

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CONSCIENCE IS “THE” GUIDE

➢
Intro
Richard Gula –Calling
lecture on Vocation: : Inquiry
mature basedconscience as
moral
discussion
“the ability to make up one’s mind for
oneself about what ought to be done.”

➢ Conscience is the whole person’s

commitment to values, & the judgment
that he/she must make, in the light of that
commitment to apply those values.

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TYPES OF CONSCIENCES
1. Scrupulous
Intro lecture on Vocation: Calling : Inquiry based

2. Unscrupulous (Lax)
discussion

3. Erroneous
4. Correct
5. Doubtful
6. Certain
7. Delicate

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THE NEED TO EDUCATE THE

CONSCIENCE
Intro lecture on Vocation: Calling : Inquiry based
discussion
The education of conscience is
indispensable because we are
subjected to negative influences & are
tempted to prefer our own judgment,
even in cases where we may be
wrong.

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A PERSON OF INTEGRITY
IntroIflecture
values on are internalized
Vocation: andbased
Calling : Inquiry if conviction comes
from within, then morality is a matter of being
discussion

faithful to our inner voice or inner wisdom. This is

what is meant by speaking of a person of integrity,
one who does not betray deeply held convictions
on what is felt to be right because of some
temptation of gain or some pressure of the
moment.

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10

5
1. **Scrupulous Conscience**
A scrupulous conscience is overly sensitive and tends to see sin or wrongdoing where there may
not be any. People with this type of conscience often feel guilty or anxious about small mistakes
or uncertainties.
*Example:* A person feels guilty for accidentally bumping into someone, believing it was a sign of
poor character.

2. **Unscrupulous (Lax) Conscience**

An unscrupulous or lax conscience does not feel guilt or concern for wrongdoing, often ignoring
moral standards and rationalizing bad behavior.
*Example:* Someone cheats on a test but doesn't feel any remorse, thinking it’s acceptable
because "everyone does it."

3. **Erroneous Conscience**
An erroneous conscience holds incorrect beliefs about what is right or wrong, leading to wrong
moral judgments.
*Example:* A person believes that stealing is acceptable if they need something badly, thinking
it’s justified because they’re in a tough situation.

4. **Correct Conscience**
A correct conscience accurately understands moral principles and consistently makes good
judgments about right and wrong.
*Example:* A person chooses to return a lost wallet they found to its owner, knowing that it is the
right thing to do.

5. **Doubtful Conscience**
A doubtful conscience is uncertain about the rightness or wrongness of an action, leading to
hesitation in making decisions.
*Example:* Someone is unsure whether it's okay to take a day off work for a personal reason,
worrying if it might be seen as irresponsible.

6. **Certain Conscience**
A certain conscience feels confident in its moral judgments and does not have doubts about the
rightness of its decisions.
*Example:* A person firmly believes that lying is wrong and chooses to be honest even when it
might be easier to lie.

7. **Delicate Conscience**
A delicate conscience is finely tuned to moral issues, easily recognizing right and wrong, and is
often concerned about the impact of actions on others.
*Example:* A person feels deeply uncomfortable when they witness someone being treated
unfairly and speaks up to defend them, showing sensitivity to the situation.