Group 5

Chapter 7: Norms of Morality

Abellon, Amelyn

Alipanta, Joniel

Alipio, Eugene

Arevalo, Angelica
Norm of Morality

The meaning of Norms

A norm is a standard of measurement. Measure the size, the weight, the length,
the duration, the intensity, the quality, objects, events, emotions and persons.

The Norms of Morality

The norms of morality “are the criteria of judgement about sorts of persons we
ought to be and the sorts of action we ought to perform”. Moral norms are the criteria for
judging (1) the quality of character, what sort of person one ought to become and (2)
the quality of an act, what sort of action ought to be done.

Basis of Moral Judgement

Moral Judgement is based on of norms of morality- the Eternal Law is the ultimate
norm, the Natural Law is the remote norm and Conscience is proximate norm.

1. Eternal Law- is the plan of God in creating all creatures, both animate and inanimate,
giving to each of them its respective nature.
2. The Natural Law- refers to the operational tendencies of the human nature.
Characteristics of Natural Law
1. It is universal
2. It is obligatory
3. It is recognizable
4. It is immutable and unchangeable
3. Conscience- is the practical judgement of reason telling us what should be done
because it is good and what should be avoided because it is evil.
Types of Conscience
1. Correct Conscience- sees the good as good, the evil is evil
2. Erroneous Conscience- sees evil as something good
3. Doubtful Conscience- is vacillating conscience, unsure of itself.
4. Scrupulous Conscience- is overly cautious, meticulous and fearful of
committing a mistake.
5. Lax Conscience- indifferent, unmindful of right or wrong.

Compulsory Conscience

"Our bond with the natural moral law" write by Bernard haring, " is an exalted
participation in the internal law of god manifested by our conscience whose natural
function is to reveal our likeness to god" (law of Christ 1-147)

- when conscience operates in the realm of truth and sound reason, it is compulsory to
listen to it.
Conformity and Non-conformity

- We recall the definition of Aristotle of good as which fits the function

-Some action does not fit the dignity of nobility of man as man

Formal and Material norms

We distinguish two aspect of moral norm: the formal and material norm

Formal norms- relate to formation character, what kind of person we ought to be.

Material norms- Are specific, localized and many have exemption to them.

Moral Relativism

Moral relativism is possible because the human mind, being finite and limited,
does not always grasp the moral significance of certain acts or events. Moral relativism
is also descriptive of cultural differences.

Physical vs Personalism

Physicalism - the physical and biological nature of man determines morality.

Personalism- reason is the standard for moral judgement.

The Order of Reason

Man acts in a way proper to him through the use of reason.