CONCHRI (Modules 1 -3)

Module 1
What is Morality?
- The standard to measure the quality of actions
What is Christian Morality?
Principles of Morality based on the teachings of Christ?
Sources of Teachings of Christian Morality?
a. Scriptures – the Written Word of God
b. Sacred Tradition -consists of the teachings that the apostles passed on
orally through their preaching
c. Magisterium-the teaching authority of the Church. It is composed of the
Pope and the Bishops.
 Module 1
What is the difference between Morality and Ethics?
Ethics and morality are closely related concepts, but they have distinct
meanings.
Ethics refers to a set of principles and values that guide an individual's behavior
and decision-making
Morality - refers to the actual beliefs, values, and practices that individuals or
groups hold about right and wrong. It is a personal or societal set of standards
that guide behavior
In essence, ethics provides a framework for understanding morality,
while morality represents the actual beliefs and practices that people follow.
While ethics can offer guidance, morality shapes our actions and decisions in
everyday life

-
 Module 1
What is Moral Vision?
-a way of viewing ourselves & others which shapes who we are & how we
behave morally
Factors that contribute to our Moral Vision (Sources of Morality)
a. Parents and Family
b. Community
c. State
d. Religion
Example: The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Summary: Every one has a moral sense of right and wrong
 Module 1
The 5 Approaches to Morality
1. Morality as Law
2. Morality as Inner Conviction
3. Morality as Personal Growth
4. Morality as Love
5. Morality as Social Transformation
Summary: Every one has a moral sense of right and wrong
 Module 1
Human Dignity
-Halaga, Dangal, Dignidad, Worth, Value
- The inherent dignity of Man.
- A concept rooted in the belief that a person’s worth is not something that he
earned because of his class, race, abilities, religion, or another advantage. It is
something all humans are born with. Simply by being human, all people deserve
respect.
 Module 1
Moral and Legal
Are all moral acts legal?
Are all legal acts moral?
Is the opinion of the Majority always right?
Is subjective Morality above Objective Morality
 Module 2 The Social Man

1. Man as a Social Being

“No man is an Island” “It is not good for man to be alone”
Society is essential in the fulfillment of one’s vocation.
Man is a social being. Unless he relates himself to others,
he can neither grow or develop.
2. Common Good- the good of all and not the majority
- concerned with the progress of every
person
 Module 2 The Social Man

3. Social Justice- how the different institutions in the

society treats every person fairly.

4. Solidarity-“It is a firm and persevering determination

to commit oneself to the common good.” (John Paul
II)
The differences among human persons encourage and
often oblige people to the practice of generosity,
kindness and the sharing of goods.
 Module 1
Are all moral actions legal?
Are all legal actions moral?
Is the opinion of majority always right?
Is subjective morality above the objective morality?
Is ethics exactly the same with morality?
Common Good is concerned with the progress of every person because it is
after the welfare of all
Solidarity
Social Justice
Individual’s perspective
 Module 1
Common Good is concerned with the progress of every person because it is
after the welfare of all
Solidarity
Social Justice
Human Dignity
Individual’s perspective
 Module 3
A “Budhi” or Konsensya
-”walang puso, walang kaluluwa, maitim ang budhi, halang ang kaluluwa,
halang ang bituka”-they all refer to vital internal organs. In the past,
being called one was enough already for one to lose face. But today,
it seems that nobody minds these expressions
No culture has yet been found in which conscience is not recognized as a
reality
B. an inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as a guide to the rightness or
wrongness of one's behavior. (Oxford Dictionary)
C. Often called the “voice of reason” or the “voice of God” which tells us to
do good and avoid evil
“ There is law inscribed by God in man’s heart calling him to love and to do
what is good and to avoid evil” (1776 –Catechism of the Catholic Church)
Signs: Guilty Conscience and Peace of Mind
 Module 3
D. the practical judgment of reason deciding upon an individual act as
something good to be performed or as evil that is to be avoided.
a. Practical-workable; doable; not theoretical
b. judgment-judgment of moral values
c. Reason – mind (the actual process of deliberation)
d. Individual act –single act
-It is not that soul like figure which separates from the body and whispers
to the person. It is within the process of thinking of the mind.
 Module 3
Can Moral Conscience make erroneous judgments?
1790 It can happen that moral conscience remains in ignorance and
makes erroneous judgments(frequently errs) about acts to be performed
or already committed. (Catechism of the Catholic Church)
Sources of Errors of Judgment in Moral Conduct (CCC #1792)
1. Ignorance of Christ and His Gospel
2. Bad example given by others
3. Enslavement to one’s passions
4. Rejection of Church’s authority and her teachings
5. Lack of conversion and of charity
 Module 3
1. Erroneous – a conscience that judges incorrectly, leading to a
decision that is morally wrong, even though the individuals
believes it to be right.
Ex. A child who witnesses their parents taking drugs everyday
might develop the belief that it is acceptable.
2. Lax – a conscience that is too lenient in its judgment about
right and wrong. It tends to minimize the seriousness of sin or
fail to recognize sin at all where it actually exists.
Ex. I know I shouldn’t have been cheated on that test, but it wasn’t
a big deal. Everyone does it.”
 Module 3
3. Scrupulous- the opposite of lax conscience. It’s a conscience hat is
excessively concerned with sin, often to the point of unreasonable fear and
anxiety.
Ex. Sarah works as a cashier at a grocery store. One day, a customer
pays a P500 bill. She accidentally gives him a change of P20 bill for the
he bought instead of a P50 bill. She feels she intentionally cheated the
customer,. She worries about God’s judgment and fears she’s going to
hell.
4. Doubtful –a state of uncertainty about the moral rightness or wrongness
of an action. It’s when you’re unsure whether something is good or bad.
Ex. You hear some juicy gossip about a coworker at the office. You’re
tempted to share it with your close friends, but you know it’s probably not
appropriate to spread rumors. You think. ”Is it okay to gossip about a
coworker even if it’s just to my friends?”
 Module 3
5. Unscrupulous – the opposite of delicate or scrupulous
conscience.
It represents a complete “lack” of moral compass and a
willingness to engage in a dishonest or harmful actions without any
sense of guilt or remorse.
Ex. A person who cheats on their partner without any remorse or
concern for their partner’s feelings.
6. Callous Conscience- a conscience that has become insensitive
to right and wrong. It’s like a hardened heart, unable to feel guilt or
remorse for wrong doing.
Ex. A person witnessing a homeless individual struggling in the
cold might simply walk past, unmoved by their plight.
 Module 3
7. Delicate conscience – a highly “sensitive” moral compass. A
person with this kind conscience is often attuned to the ethical
implications of their actions and the potential impact on others.
Ex. A person who refuses to take credit for a project that they didn't
fully contribute to. Their conscience compels them to be honest and
acknowledge the work of others, even if it means receiving less praise.
Difference between Scrupulous and Delicate Conscience
a. Delicate – primarily concerned with the impact of one’s actions
on others, often experiencing guilt or remorse even for minor
transgressions.
 Module 3
8. Certain- a state of mind where an individual is convinced without
any doubt, that a particular action is either morally right or wrong.
Ex. An employee discovers that their company is engaging in illegal
or unethical practices, such as polluting a local river or falsifying
financial reports. After careful deliberation and research, he feels
certain that these actions are wrong. So he decided to report the
matter.
 Module 3
9. Correct Conscience- is a conscience that judges rightly, aligning
its judgments with objective moral principles. It’s about making the
right choice based on good and justice.
Ex. A person who decides not to cheat on a test because they
understand that cheating is wrong and goes against academic
integrity.
Difference between Correct And Certain Conscience
a. Correct Conscience is about objective truth
b. Certain Conscience is more about subjective feeling
NB. If someone has a strong conviction about an action that is
also objectively right, then their conscience is both certain and
correct.
 Module 3
Difference between Unscrupulous and Callous
Both Unscrupulous and Callous are similar but not identical
a. Unscrupulous – Primarily refers to the absence of moral
compass
Ex. A person who cheats or lies without any sense of wrongdoing
because they don’t believe that those actions are wrong.
b. Callous- lack of emotional connection and empathy.
Ex. A person who witnesses someone struggling but feels
indifferent or even enjoys their misfortune.
 Module 3
Difference between Lax and Unscrupulous Conscience
a. Lax – a person may experience some guilt or remorse, but they
are more likely to rationalize or minimize their actions.
b. Unscrupulous – a person lacks any sense of guilt or remorse
because there is a complete absence of morality.
 Module 3
1. Imagine Mark, a student who finds a wallet containing a significant amount of
cash and identification on the street. He knows the owner is likely distressed, but
the temptation to keep the money is strong. He rationalizes his actions by telling
himself that "finding" the wallet is a stroke of luck, and that the owner probably
won't even notice the loss.
2. Imagine Emily, a meticulous and highly conscientious employee. She's tasked with
preparing a presentation for a major client, and she spends countless hours ensuring every
detail is perfect. She worries about every potential flaw, constantly re-evaluating her work
and seeking feedback from colleagues.
Even after receiving positive feedback and reassurance from her supervisor, Emily remains
uneasy. She fears that her presentation might not be "good enough" and spends sleepless
nights agonizing over every detail. Despite her thoroughness, she finds it difficult to relax or
feel confident in her work.
 Module 3
3. Let's say Michael is a successful businessman who has risen to the top by ruthlessly pursuing his
goals. He's known for his cutthroat business practices, often prioritizing profit over the well-being of his
employees. He's quick to lay off staff during economic downturns, showing little empathy for the
struggles they face.
•
When confronted about his actions, Michael dismisses concerns by stating that "it's just business"
and that "survival of the fittest" applies to the corporate world. He doesn't feel any remorse for the
hardship he causes, believing that his actions are justified by the pursuit of success.
4. Let's say Liam is a highly sensitive and empathetic individual. He works in a competitive
environment, where colleagues often engage in aggressive tactics to advance their careers.
While Liam understands the need to be assertive, he struggles with the cutthroat nature of
the workplace. He feels uncomfortable with the constant pressure to outperform others
and finds it difficult to engage in tactics that might harm or disadvantage his colleagues.
 Module 3
How can man make his conscience well-informed?
EDUCATE one’s Conscience
1. The Word of God is the light for our path. We must
assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into practice.
2. Overcome ignorance and error through the guiding hand
of the law –moral, civil, and Church law
3. Overcome doubts in moral matters by consulting prudent
and virtuous persons
4. Examine your conscience
God Bless!