The Moral Norm

What is a Norm?
A norm is a rule, standard or
measure; it is something fixed
with which we can compare
something else whose nature,
size or qualities we doubt.
By norm of morality, we
can gauge the goodness
or the badness of an act.
THE SEARCH
Aristotle: intellectual virtue of prudence:
practical wisdom
Stoics: reason as our guide in morals
St. Thomas: order of reason and of the
eternal law. Right reason as the proximate
norm and eternal law as the ultimate norm
A norm is set up by examining the
kind of things we wish to measure
and the purpose for which we are
measuring them is to determine
their goodness or badness
A norm may be proximate or ultimate
 A proximate or derived norm is one directly
applicable to the thing to be measured, and is
here at hand ready for use;
 There must be an ultimate norm, for otherwise
there would be nothing to guarantee the validity
of the proximate norm.
An ultimate or original norm is the last reason
why the proximate norm is what it is.
ULTIMATE NORM OF MORALITY:
God, Eternal Law, divine reason
It is the last and absolute standard to which
we can appeal in judging the goodness of
human acts.
The last and absolute of all goodness,
whether of human acts or anything else is
the divine nature.
The ultimate norm is the divine nature.
As human nature resembles the divine
nature, human activity must resemble
the divine activity. Man does right
when he does what God does, wrong
when he abuses his freedom to do
what God cannot do.
There must be a proximate norm, for
otherwise the measure would be useless,
inapplicable to individual concrete acts
which are the only kind that can actually
exist.
The faculty to be used in discriminating right
from wrong can be no other than the
intellect or reason.
Proximate norm fulfills the following:
1.It gives the same rules of morality to all
men
2.It gives the rules of morality to all men
3.It is immutable yet applicable to all cases
4.It is always present and manifest to all
men
Conscience is the norm of
subjective, not of objective
morality.
Moral Conscience
An Inner Law (1776)
Deep within his conscience, man discovers a
law which he must obey, namely to do good and
to avoid evil. In his conscience (man's most
secret core) he is alone with God whose voice
echoes within man.
Conscience - Judge of Individual Acts (1777-1779)

Moral conscience urges a person to do good and avoid evil. It even judges his
particular choices (past, present, and future) and shows God's authority. The
prudent man hears God speaking in his commandments.
By conscience, the person's reason judges the morality of his actions (past,
present, or future). In this judgment, man sees God's law. "Conscience is a
messenger of him who speaks to us behind a veil and teaches us by his
representatives. Conscience is the aboriginal Vicar of Christ" (John Cardinal
Newman).
Every person must have sufficient interior awareness so he can hear and follow
his conscience. "Turn inward, brethren, and in everything you do, see God as
your witness" (St. Augustine).
An Upright Conscience Assumes
Responsibility (1780-1782)
Human dignity requires an upright
conscience which knows moral principles
and applies them in each circumstance.
Truth is recognized by prudent judgments.
Whoever follows his conscience is indeed
prudent.
By conscience, a person assumes responsibility.
Even in evil deeds, conscience remains an inner
witness to truth that the choice was evil. This true
judgment makes clear that the person must seek
forgiveness and choose good in the future.
"Whenever our hearts condemn us, we reassure
ourselves that God is greater than our hearts and he
knows everything" (1 Jn 3:19-20).
Man has a right to make his own
moral decisions. He cannot be
forced to act contrary to his
conscience, nor be prevented from
acting according to his conscience,
especially in religious matters.
Man's Duty - To Have a Right
Conscience (1783-1785)
The person has a duty to have a true
conscience which is formed by reason
and seeks to know God's will. Only the
educating of conscience can overcome
negative influences and temptations.
This lifelong task begins with
awakening the child to know and
practice God's law. A prudent
education teaches virtues, cures
selfishness, and guarantees peace
of heart.
The Word of God guides this
education. Man must examine
his conscience before the cross,
seek the advice of others, and
learn the Church's authoritative
teaching.
Difficulties in Judging (1786-1789)
Conscience can make a right judgment (in
accord with God's law and reason) or an
erroneous judgment (not in accord).
In some situations, moral judgments are
difficult. However, in every case, the person
must seek God's will in accord with his law.
The person must interpret the data, assisted by
his own prudence, competent advice, and the
help of the Holy Spirit.
In all cases, evil can never be done so good can
result. "Whatever you wish that men would do
to you, do so to them" (Mt 7:12). "Do nothing
that makes your brother stumble" (Rom 14:21).
Sources of Errors in Judgment (1790-1792)
Although a person must always obey the certain
judgments of his conscience, he might be in
ignorance and make erroneous judgments.
Sometimes, the person is to blame for having an
erroneous conscience because he took no effort
to discover the truth. In this case, he is
responsible for the evil he commits.
There are several sources of these
errors in judgment:
ignorance of Christ and of his Gospel,
bad example from others,
enslavement to passions,
lack of conversion of heart, and
rejection of the Church's teaching
Unable to Overcome (1793-1794)
Sometimes, the person is not responsible for his
erroneous judgment because he cannot overcome the
obstacles to truth. This is called "invincible
ignorance." Although evil is present, the person is not
blameworthy. He should work to correct his errors.
Conscience must be enlightened by faith so that
persons and groups will turn aside from blind
choices.