Chapter 6-The Norms of Morality

The Norms of
Morality
Chapter 6
Norms
- is a standard of measurement.
-Instrument of which the quality or
quantity of a thing is determined.
Norms of morality- Ex. Clock that tells time,
standards that indicate the thermometer that indicates
rightfulness or temperature, speedometer
wrongfulness, the goodness that measures velocity, scale
or evilness, the value and that determines weight.
disvalue of a thing.
The Norms of Morality
“the criteria of judgment about the sorts of
person we ought to be and the sorts of actions
we ought to perform” -according to Richard
M. Gula.
Morality consists in the relation of a thing with
the norm. This relationship is one of
conformity or non-conformity.
Morality may be defined as the quality of things
manifesting their conformity or non-
conformity with the norm of criteria.
The Norms of Morality
 The remote norm of morality is Natural Law.
 The proximate norm of morality is
Conscience.
 Both natural Law and conscience are rooted on
Eternal Law, the ultimate norm.
 Eternal Law: only one norm.
Eternal Law
-a plan of God in creating the universe and
assigning to each creature therein a specific
nature.
-the exemplar of divine wisdom as directing all

actions and movements, according to Thomas
Aquinas
divine reason or will of God commanding that
the natural order of things be preserved and
forbidding that it be disturbed, according to St
Augustine
- provides for the cosmic order where every

creature stands different and independent but
not apart from the unified purpose of creation.
Natural Law as the Essential to Become a
Person
Natural Law is recognized by all men regardless of creed,

race, culture, or historical circumstances.
-original principle of our constitution, Stewart Dugald
-eternal laws of reason, or the will of God, George
- command to become what one potentially is, a person

within a community of person, Paul Tillich
Properties of the Natural Law
1. It is universal. Natural 3. It is recognizable. It is

Law is a constitutive imprinted in the human
nature and man has the
element of human light of reason to know it.
nature. “Synderesis” – light of
2. It is obligatory. Natural reason by Scholastic
law is human nature, philosopher.
calling for itself to be  Ex. Do good and avoid
actualized, to be evil, Honor your father and

mother, Be honest
“lived” according to its
basic and essential 4. It is immutable or
unchangeable. Natural law
demands. is human nature.
Contents of the
Natural Law
Contents of the Natural Law
A. Formal norms- are those that relate to

our character, that is, to what kind of
persons we ought to be.
Ex. Do good and avoid evil, whatever wish

others to do to you, do so to them, be honest,
be chaste, do not be selfish, proud, vain, or
foolish
Contents of the Natural Law
Material norms- relate to the sorts of
actions we ought to do. Application
of the formal norms to individual
concrete action: speech, killing,
making promises, or using
contraceptives.
Conscience
 It is proximate norm of morality. It is proximate
because it is what directly confronts an action as good
or bad.
 Function: to examine, to judge, and to pass a

“sentence” on all moral actions.
 Derived from the Latin word “ conscientia” meaning

“trial of oneself” both in accusation and in defense
 An act of the practical judgment of reason
deciding upon an individual action as good and
to be performed or as evil and to be avoided.
 Practical judgment- because it is an inference

whose conclusion leads to something
practicable
Kinds of Conscience
1. Correct or True Conscience- judges what is
good as good and what is evil as evil.
2. Erroneous or False Conscience- judges

incorrectly that what is good is evil and what is
evil is good.
Error in conscience comes from the
following factors:
a. Mistake in inferential thinking, such as
derived a wrong conclusion from given
moral principles
b. Ignorance of the law
c. Ignorance of the fact and other circumstances
modifying human actions
d. Ignorance of future consequences, especially
those dependent on the free will of others.
Inculpable conscience- an erroneous
conscience whose error is due to
neglect, or malice.
Kinds of Conscience
3. Certain Conscience- is a subjective assurance
of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of a certain
act. This implies that the person is sure of his
decision.
4. Doubtful Conscience- is vacillating

conscience, unable to form a definite
judgment on a certain action.
Kinds of Conscience
5. Scrupulous Conscience- is a rigorous
conscience, extremely afraid of committing
evil.
6. Lax Conscience- is one which refuses to be

bothered about the distinction of good and
evil. “bahala na”
The Compulsory
Nature of
Conscience
Conscience- “voice of God”
Conscience and Authority
Conscience is linked with human authority:
1. Linked with the State insofar as this derives its
authority from nature itself and is affirmed
by natural law and divine revelation.
2. Linked with human community, because

conscience depends for help in community
and social authority in order to be informed
correctly of its judgments.
Education of Conscience
1. One has the obligation to cultivate a
clear and true conscience.
2. Another method of education is the
cultivation of good habits.
3. Another method is to militate against
evil, condemning it where we find it.
4. We must learn how to use our freedom.

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The Norms of

-the exemplar of divine wisdom as directing all

- provides for the cosmic order where every

Natural Law is recognized by all men regardless of creed,

-original principle of our constitution, Stewart Dugald

-eternal laws of reason, or the will of God, George

- command to become what one potentially is, a person

1. It is universal. Natural 3. It is recognizable. It is

actualized, to be evil, Honor your father and

A. Formal norms- are those that relate to

Ex. Do good and avoid evil, whatever wish

 Function: to examine, to judge, and to pass a

 Derived from the Latin word “ conscientia” meaning

 Practical judgment- because it is an inference

2. Erroneous or False Conscience- judges

4. Doubtful Conscience- is vacillating

6. Lax Conscience- is one which refuses to be

2. Linked with human community, because

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