FUNDAMENTAL OPTION AND FUNDAMENTAL STANCE

FUNDAMENTAL OPTION
“Fundamental” means necessary, foundational, or basic. A factor that is fundamental to
human life can be described as something that is necessary for one to live and properly
function in society. Fundamental option is described as a basic commitment, an
extraordinary choice that will eventually be a part of one’s all other choices. This basic
choice can be likened to a fire that will stimulate or ignite an individual to do everything to be
the kind of person he or she aspires to be. It will him or her the drive, impetus, or momentum
to achieve his or her aspirations
Fundamental option emphasizes one’s basic or fundamental disposition or orientation for
a higher being or against a higher being which is necessary for one’s salvation. It is a
decision or obedience of faith, or disobedience which is a life away from God. It is a
covenant, a voluntary and full self – commitment, a kind of self – offering to a higher being.
FUNDAMENTAL OPTION AND SPECIFIC CHOICES
The notion of fundamental option stresses the fact that the very source of human acts
comes from the innermost part or core of one’s being. One should not focus too much on the
acts alone, or on a single act, or just on the legality of the act. The main source of these acts
lies at the deeper level of the person, the fundamental option of one’s heart in connection
with morality.
A person is confronted with a basic choice in life of whether he or she wants to be a good
person or not. Fundamental option is not final. It is an ongoing process that is affirmed,
strengthened, weakened, or contradicted by one’s daily or future decisions and actions. One
develops a good or bad character depending on his or her basic choice. Fundamental option
is a question of whether one has chosen to be predominantly good or bad, a fundamental
choice to develop good or bad tendencies and characteristics.
Some theologians believe that the concept of fundamental option is deeper, more
mysterious than a basic commitment. One’s relationship with his or her spirituality is deeply
rooted in his or her whole being. It is different and much deeper than a single choice or
ordinary act. Without sufficient reason and full consent, other occasional choices and actions
that run contrary to one’s fundamental option are thought to be less influential because they
cannot radically alter it. The fundamental option theory asserts that it is only one’s
fundamental choice to be good or otherwise which is decisive to remain in the state of
morality. Other individual acts do not matter; they cannot lead one away from morality if his
or her fundamental choice to be good remains constant.
Most theologians oppose that particular, concrete actions and behaviors can be
considered lightly in favor of a fundamental option. That will lead to complacency and
contentment; that no particular actions are serious enough to destroy one’s first fundamental
decision. This is contrary to the Catholic doctrine of the distinction between mortal and venial
sins. Mortal sins are serious sinful actions; the consequences of such acts are grave
enough to separate one’s from the higher being he or she believes in. According to John
Paul II, “For mortal sin exists also when a person knowingly and willingly, for whatever
reason, chooses something gravely disordered…. The person turns away from God and
loses charity.”
FUNDAMENTAL STANCE
Fundamental stance is also an important aspect of the fundamental option.
Fundamental option is a more general, all-embracing choice while the fundamental stance
covers the more specific situations that show one’s preferences, priorities, and values. It is a
state that refers to one’s disposition, total direction, or orientation in life, made up of all of
one’s concrete thoughts, decisions, and actions in line with his or her fundamental choice.
There is always an option to take a concrete stance or attitude which is better than a ‘come-
what-may’ attitude.
The fundamental stance is an expression of what kind of a person one wants to be. It
involves the strength of character, will, and on one side, it is always in consonance with
one’s spirituality. On the other side, it is one’s stubbornness or firmness in his or her decision
to live in violence and hatred.
An individual’s actions and behaviors are not merely events or things which are external
to him or her. They have a very deep personal meaning since they are the expression of
one’s self. One’s actions and behaviors express one’s perspective in life, his/her feelings,
attitudes, and what kind of relationship he or she wants to establish with other people.
Not all decisions and the path that one takes lead to the right direction. Although human
beings live with dignity, weaknesses and limitations often take hold of them to their regret. It
is in this context that one’s fundamental stance is necessary in order to know what direction
one wants to be led to. It is finding one’s direction in life that one is reminded of his or her
fundamental choice and stance.
ASPECTS OF THE FUNDAMENATAL OPTION
1. It is conscious and non – reflexive. One is fully conscious and aware of his/her
fundamental option.
2. It involves one’s basic or transcendental freedom.
3. One’s fundamental option is not temporary. An individual comes to terms with his/her
fundamental option throughout his life.
4. It is predominant but not irreversible.
5. Although choosing the fundamental option is a lifetime process, it is difficult to
change.
6. Only a moral adult can choose the fundamental option because he/she is expected to
be capable of making moral choices.
7. It has a religious aspect. Choosing a fundamental option is rooted in one’s spiritual
identity.
ASPECTS OF THE FUNDAMENTAL STANCE
1. It is a state, not a process. It is the condition of being strongly oriented towards good
or evil. It remains in a person for a long time and it is not easily attained or
abandoned.
2. One’s fundamental stance is caused only by his/her fundamental option.
3. It is more valuable than one’s fundamental option. The fundamental option is just the
means to establish one’s fundamental stance. Specific actions and choices of an
individual are the expressions of one’s fundamental stance.