Introduction to

Morality
What is Morality?
1. descriptively to refer to certain codes of
conduct put forward by a society or a group
(such as a religion), or accepted by an
individual for her own behavior, or
2. normatively to refer to a code of conduct
that, given specified conditions, would be
put forward by all rational persons.
 Some other definitions of Morality
Morality can be a body of standards or
principles derived from a code of conduct from
a particular philosophy, religion or culture, or it
can derive from a standard that a person
believes should be universal. Morality may
also be specifically synonymous with
"goodness" or "rightness".
a particular system of values and principles
of conduct, especially one held by a
specified person or society
Catholic Morality: Life of Christ
But why do we need to learn about the principles of
what is good or what is bad? What will be its
implication on us as Christians?
 Catholic morality is about life: “I came that they may
have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
 Faith & baptism give us new life in Christ. That life
involves far more than simply following a set of
rules.
Itis essential to know these principles: they
are the how-to manual for living fully your
new life, for obtaining that abundant life
Christ has promised you.
 The Catholic Catechism starts its section on Catholic
morality with St. Leo the Great’s beautiful words:
Christian, recognize your dignity and, now that you
share in God’s own nature, do not return to your former
base condition by sinning. Remember who is your head
and of whose body you are a member. Never forget that
you have been rescued from the power of darkness and
brought into the light of the Kingdom of God.
(Catechism, #1691)
Morality is a call to recognize our dignity as
men and women who have received a free
gift of new life in Christ. We must live
accordingly.
The Law of Love
Our Lord Jesus himself clearly taught us the first
principles of Catholic morality:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart, and with all your soul, and with all your
mind. This is the great and first commandment.
And a second is like it, You shall love your
neighbor as yourself. On these two
commandments depend all the law and the
prophets.” (Mt 22:37-40)
 Love, or charity, is the great commandment of the
Lord.
 Loveof God and love of neighbor are the source &
summary of Catholic morality. “All the law and the
prophets” flow from this starting point.
 Thismeans that what love requires is the essence of
all moral rules, all of the Ten Commandments, and all
aspects of morality spoken of by the prophets and
even by Christ himself. The only things needed are
those things which love makes necessary.
It is also important to say that love does,
indeed, require many things!
In fact, it takes only a few simple steps of logic
to deduce the Ten Commandments and most of
the rest of Catholic morality from this starting
point.
Those moral precepts describe
the minimum that love requires.
 Byfollowing these commandments of God at least
we can have a great beginning in learning what is
good and what is bad in the eyes of God and of man.
Integration
A Life Pleasing to God
(1 Thessalonians 4: 1-2)
4 Finally, brothers and sisters,[a] we ask and urge you
in the Lord Jesus that, as you learned from us how you
ought to live and to please God (as, in fact, you are
doing), you should do so more and more. 2 For you
know what instructions we gave you through the Lord
Jesus.
Assessment

Give at least 3 things that you are doing in

your life that you can say is morally good.
What are its implication in your day to day
life?