THEOS Suggested Midterm Questions

Block 1D

1.) How can you evaluate the ‘War on Drugs’ in light of Pacem in Terris?

Pacem in Terris was a response to the mounting conflicts of the period. It sought to
espouse a society that was organized along the lines of moral principles, one of which
was the recognition of the, inter alia, right to life and liberty of every individual. In so
doing, genuine peace could flourish. Evaluating the current War on Drugs, it can be said
that despite its aim of achieving a peaceful and organized society, it achieves the
contrary, which is a disordered society.

Pacem in Terris, moreover, was careful to highlight the various rights inherent in every
individual and the duty of public authorities to protect and promote such. The War on
Drugs is not only an attack against the rights of individuals but also a discouragement
against their free exercise. (See Paragraphs # 46 & 47, in particular)

2.) Name sources of Christian Ethics

a. Tradition
b. Reason
c. Experience
d. Revelation

3.) What is meant by religious freedom in Dignitatis Humanae?

- This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of
individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be
forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly,
whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.

4.) Can government impose limitations on the exercise of freedom to religion?

- Yes. According to Dignitatis Humanae, the freedom to exercise one’s religion entails the
corollary responsibility of respecting the freedom of others’ religion, or lack thereof.
Hence, as an exercise of its police power, the government can impose such limitations
that would prevent the exercise of one’s religion at the expense of another’s exercise.

5.) Enumerate the Nine Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

 a. The Dignity of Every Person and Human Rights
b. Solidarity, Common Good, and Participation
c. Family Life
d. Subsidiarity and the Proper Role of Government
e. Property Ownership in Modern Society: Rights and Responsibilities
f. The Dignity of Work, Rights of Workers, and Support for Labor Unions
g. Colonialism and Economic Development
h. Peace and Disarment
i. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

6.) What does Rerum Novarum mean? What is the basis or key foundation behind it?

- Rerum Novarum means “of new things”. It was to be a major intervention in defense of
the poor during the time of the industrial revolution. The Pope criticizes two extremes -
capitalism and socialism, and talked about the need to find middle ground. He invoked
the principle of human dignity to protest the treatment of human labor as a commodity.

7.) Explain the two competing values regarding property

- Common good. A true respect for the common good suggests that material things
necessary for a good life should wisely be available for use by the whole human
condition.
- Individual ownership. Without private property, the worker will not be able to improve
the conditions of his life and his family. Through private property, man is able to possess
the investment of self he puts into his labor and is able to enjoy the fruits of his labor. It is
also necessary for sustaining the family.

8.) Why is the Catholic Church against abortion and capital punishment?

- The Church values the sanctity of human life and dignity of a person.

9.) What is natural law?

- God created the universe with certain purposes in mind. God created humans with
enough intelligence that they can use their reason to observe the natural world and make
moral judgments about God’s purposes and how our behavior will cooperate with God’s
plans.

10.) How is the “See-Act-Judge” paradigm important for a Philippine Lawyer?

The “See-Act-Judge” paradigm was espoused by John XXIII in Mater et Magistra to
further involve Christians in the missionary aspect of their faith. Similarly, Lawyers,
whose mission it is to uphold and defend the rule of law, are encouraged to adopt this
paradigm as a way of enriching their own respective professions by involving themselves
into the very situations and circumstances that call for the rule of law. Philippine
Lawyers, in particular, are very much encouraged to adopt this as a way of healing
Philippine society from the social injustices that afflict it.