Catholic Social Teachings, also known as Catholic Social Justice, and virtue ethics share a common ground within their beliefs. Although one pertains to Christianity and the other to Catholicism, they both contain similar rules to live by. The rules of Catholic Social Teachings (CST) and virtue ethics can also be related to those of people with no faith. I believe that this is held to be true because all people have a quota, or certain goal, that they wish to accomplish during their lifetime. Thus, there must be a path, containing these rules that lead every individual on the right way towards their end goal. The points where these paths cross is where CST, virtue ethics, and people with no faith, all come together and share a step in their …show more content…
In virtue ethics, “a virtuous person is morally a good person,” a person must have good morals and self-characteristics that they share upon others to become a good person (MacKinnonn, 92). The difference between virtue ethics and CST in this example is that virtue ethics are more personal than CST. “The development of a virtuous character insures that people can act morally by habit…” (Heidt, 11). In virtue ethics you must make your own good character before worrying about anyone else. Whereas CST focuses more on everybody accomplishing their goals to be a good person. CST heavily relies on the common good, you have a right to participate in society and take consideration for those who have less than you. CST wants everybody to be a good person and lend a helping hand to one another and not be focused on yourself first and then the others around you. CST teaches this way because, “… all people are created in the image and likeness of God … each individual maintains an inherent dignity and an infinite worth” (Zalot and Guevin, 55). People with no faith can also choose to live life as a good person. The only difference is that they don’t have a God telling them what is morally wrong or right. Overall, whether you follow virtue ethics, CST or have no faith, each person can be a good …show more content…
There are no laws telling a person right from wrong. “It is important to clarify, however, that these principles are not laws or commandments that dictate exactly what one should or should not do in a particular situation” (Zalot and Guevin, 54). With virtue ethics and CST there are only rules to live by. However, not following these rules will not get you grounded or put in jail for doing the wrong thing. Of course, with virtue ethics and CST, God is watching over you and there are Ten Commandments that you must follow. But, that is not what CST or virtue ethics are about. Also, we have confession for a reason, everybody sins, some maybe a little more than others. But, in God’s eyes, all sins are equal in such a way that they separate us from God, but he forgives. It is a person’s choice to follow the rules or break them. Clearly, this also applies to those with no faith because they do not even have a God looking over them; it is all on their shoulders to make the right, or wrong, choices. Therefore, it is up to that individual to make their own decisions because whether they follow virtue ethics, CST, or no faith, there are no
An employee of ABC Company, Luke is in charge with a project of developing new purchased land. The company is planning to build an adult entertainment retail store which confidently lay near where his brother, Owen, lives. If the plans are announced to the public, the property of the surrounding neighborhood will drop significantly. What concerned Luke is that Owen just told him about the offer to sell his house at a decent price compared to the current real estate market. However, Owen is considering if he should wait for a couple year and sell his house later at a higher price as the estate value may increase.
“An idea (concept) of virtue which not be formally reflective or clarified bears some resemblance to religion, so that one might say either that it is a shadow of religion, or religion is a shadow of it” (Murdoch 363). Virtue and morality are not necessarily interchangeable, but religion and virtue both have a duty in common. Duty may be performed without strain or reflection of desire, which means your duty, or responsibility, should be performed without hesitation. “Dutifulness could be an account of a morality with no hint of religion” (Murdoch 364). Religion’s demand for morality and being good trumps a person’s decision to fulfill a personal/independent call to duty.
Louden opens this section with this statement: “… it is commonplace that virtue theorists focus on good and bad agents rather than on right and wrong acts.” This is a good th...
The idea of social justice was surprisingly initially rooted within the Catholic Church, who was conservative and against democracy. The term Social Justice was initially coined by Luigi Taparelli D’Azeglio, who was born in Italy and was a devoted catholic who worked for the Catholic Church. Burke T. P. (2008) Thomas Patrick burke illustrates how Luigi Taparelli D’Azeglio noted that “Social Justice should, therefore, level all men in regard to the rights given with their humanity, since the Creator has equalized them by nature; man fulfills the intentions of his maker by acting according to the norm of this justice.” Burke T. P. (2008) Explain that Luigi Taparelli D’Azeglio idea originated from the bible idea of all man being equal, but describes how in order to have social justice Luigi Taparelli D’Azeglio emphasized in taking into...
Utilitarianism is criticized for only looking at the results of actions, not at the desires or intentions which motivate them, while virtue ethics comes under attack for social standards that are considered as outdated. Both theories are not perfect, nor completely wrong. But when one considers the philosophies and follows each theory, utilitarianism proves to be the superior ethical system than virtue theory. Virtue ethics revolves around the concept of perfect happiness. It concerns the good for the self. Acc...
What is right and wrong? This question that has been asked throughout history all over the world that perplexes society even today. Many philosophers have attempted to answer this question, but it is hard to make out what the right answer would be or even if it can be answered. Who would be able to tell? That’s why we as individuals must make up our own minds on what is right or wrong. We can only hope to find our own moral path. Though it is up to us we can take a look at philosophers of the past to be a guiding hand at times.
Virtue theory is the best ethical theory because it emphasizes the morality of an individual in which their act is upon pure goodness and presents as a model to motivate others. Aristotle was a classical proponent of virtue theory who illustrates the development habitual acts out of moral goodness. Plato renders a brief list of cardinal virtues consisting of wisdom, temperance, courage, and justice. This ethical theory prominently contradicts and links to other theories that personifies the ideal being. However, virtue theorists differ from their own expression of these qualities yet it sets a tone that reflects on the desire to express kindness toward others.
The virtue ethics approach differs with other frameworks in that; it is not an ethical theory in the same way that Utilitarianism or Kantianism are, It is not so much a guide for moral decision-making, more a description of the moral life. Theories such as Utilitarianism and Kantianism address the question “How should I act?” – Virtue Theory addresses the questions “How should I live my life?”, and “What kind of person should I be?”It is interested in the whole person, not just their actions.
It has more to do with character and the nature of what it is to be. human, than with the rights and wrongs of our actions. Instead of concentrating on what is the right thing to do, virtue ethics asks how. you can be a better person. Aristotle says that those who do lead a virtuous life, are very happy and have a sense of well-being.
Everyday people are faced with situations that they have to weigh their emotions out and decide if what their actions agree with their own internal moral code. Everyone faces challenges where they want to be successful, but at the same time want to be virtuous. To be virtuous means to have a morally good character. (Webster Dictionary) These issues are something that philosophers have been attempting to find the ethically correct answer to for centuries. One ethical dilemma that people are faced with daily is lying. A lie is an intentional false statement. Many people feel the need to lie to make themselves feel better or to get out of something they have done wrong. It is clear that in those situations it is morally wrong to lie, but what
A virtue is a trait believed to be morally good, and a vice is a trait believed to be morally wrong. Eventually, a person will make a decision and take action based on their virtues and vices. Therefore, it is virtues that help engineers reach their purpose and evaluate ethical behavior. This paper will attempt to generate a list of virtues that an engineer must possess in order to be regarded as virtuous. Before doing this, Aristotle’s virtue ethics, virtues of thought, and virtues of character will be explained.
As mentioned by Thiroux & Krasemann, expresses how the establishment of virtues is based on the measurement of righteous perceptions (72). For instance, as a society we know mainly through trial and error what type of moral codes to develop. Many people undergo errors of society and we established what is common sense because of it. Therefore, virtue ethics isn’t solely on notions to project a list of rules in order to be a decent human being, but to apply these basic principles to how we feel as well (Thiroux & Krasemann, pg.78).
Virtue is such an abstract concept that it is impossible for individuals or even societies as a whole to clearly and unequivocally define it, so there must be some form of a higher authority capable of defining human virtues tout court in order for such a thing to even exist. Because of the impact one's environment can have on his or her belief system there is a wide range of conflicting ideas regarding human virtue around the globe, which indicates that no intrinsic definition of human virtues exists for humans. Therefore, human beings alone are only able to speculate as to the nature of human virtue that cannot serve as concrete standards people must live up to as opinions generally do not have enough certainty to function as definitions. Thus, there must be a non-human higher power that outlines what is and is not thought to be excellent for all human beings, regardless of age, race, gender, or belief system.
Modern Catholic social teachings trace its beginnings to the writings of Pope Leo XIII. His insight on Christian philosophy, politics and the social order and applies to teachings in current injustices in the economic order. Leo XIII’s teachings were also critical participation in the developments of modern social and economic life. He rooted his social ethics in the supreme value of the human person and added that all political and social structures need to respect and respond to this primary and moral claim of human dignity. While the Church and the political community are autonomous and independent of each other in their own fields, the Church is “at once the sign and the safeguard of the transcendental dimension of the human person”.
“All of morals comes down to the virtues.” (Keenan, 142) Keenan asserts that these virtues are the cardinal virtues, consisting of courage, temperance, justice, and prudence, and date back to Aristotle in Ancient Greece. The word cardinal is derived from the root, cardo, meaning hinge. Simply stated, the Christian moral life hinges on the cardinal virtues. Keenan suggests an updating of the cardinal virtues to become justice, fidelity, self-care, and prudence. He provides reasoning for the new virtue list. He defines each virtue with its social implications. For example, individuals should seek to set up society with equal justice for all persons. These descriptions help the Christian understand when the virtues are best applicable to self and/or others. Thomas Aquinas adds three theological virtues to the mix: faith, hope, and charity. Familiar from the thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians, these virtues seek to help Christian theologians through the ages maintain the integrity of the Gospel and continue to make it relevant in the modern world. Keenan recounts Bernard of Clairvaux’s beliefs that cultivating the virtues is a way to assimilate with the humanity of Jesus. (Keenan, 136) According to Aquinas, “Every human action is a moral action.” (Keenan, 142) The purpose of the virtues is to guide Christians, and when the Christian studies and applies the virtues to his life, his actions will demonstrate morality. The Bible heralds in Proverbs 3:32, “Devious people are detestable to the Lord, but the virtuous are his close