SAMPLE OUTLINE

ETHICS

CHAPTER 1 – THE FOUNDATIONS OF MORALITY

1. DEFINITION OF MORALITY
1.1. MORALITY OR ETHICS?
1.2. THERE ARE GRAY AREAS/DILEMMA IN ETHICS
1.3. IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
1.3.1 PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
1.3.2. MORALITY “HOUSED” IN THE HUMAN WILL
1.3.3. MORAL ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES
1.3.4. MORALITY HAS COMMUNAL DIMENSION

2. MORAL PHILOSOPHY AND MORAL THEOLOGY

2.1. DEFINITION OF MORAL PHILOSOPHY
2.2.1 HUMAN REASON AS FOUNDATION OF MORALITY
2.2.2 WHAT DOES REASON TELL US ABOUT RIGHT AND WRONG
2.2.3 IN THE STRICT SENSE, IT HAS NO REFERENCE TO GOD

2.2. DEFINITION OF MORAL THEOLOGY

2.2.1. GOD’S REVELATION ABOUT HOW TO LIVE A MORAL LIFE

2.2.2. SOME MORAL TRUTHS CAN BE KNOWN THROUGH REASON
2.2.3. HUMAN REASON IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN CONSCIENCE FORMATION
2.2.4. DIVINE REVELATION AS PRIMARY SOURCE OF MORAL KNOWLEDGE
2.2.4.1. SCRIPTURE
2.2.4.2. TRADITION

2.3. RELATION OF MORAL PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY

2.3.1. FAITH ALWAYS INFORM REASON
2.3.2. FAITH ALSO SEEKS UNDERSTANDING

3. DISTINCTIVENESS OF CHRISTIAN MORAL THEOLOGY

3.1. SCRIPTURE – 10 COMMANDMENTS

3.2. NATURAL LAW – HUMAN PARTICIPATION IN GOD’S ETERNAL LAW

3.2.1. CERTAIN GOODS TO BE PURSUED TO BE FULLY HUMAN
3.2.1.1. LIFE ITSELF
3.2.1.2. PROCREATION AND REARING OF CHILDREN
3.2.1.3. LIVING IN SOCIETY, RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY
3.2.1.4. STRIVING FOR TRUTH

3.3. VIRTUES
3.3.1. MORAL VIRTUES
3.3.1.1. PRUDENCE
3.3.1.2. JUSTICE
3.3.1.3. FORTITUDE
3.3.1.4. TEMPERANCE
 3.3.2. THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES
3.3.2.1. FAITH
3.3.2.2. HOPE
3.3.2.3. CHARITY

4. THE GOOD
4.1. GOD IS GOODNESS.
4.2. ANY FORM OF GOODNESS IS A REFLECTION OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD
4.3. MAN HAS FREE WILL – TO CHOOSE O REJECT GOD
4.4. BELIEF IN GOD OFFERS A CHRISTIAN A REASON TO BE MORAL
4.5. MORAL LIFE IS MAN’S RESPONSE TO GOD’S OFFER OF LOVE