The Call Story

Gods call comes in many shapes and forms. The traditional call from God has been questioned in modern day society. Individuals are skeptical and are less likely to hear Gods call. For those who listen, Gods call can be heard.

There are 6 parts to the call story:

1) Confrontation with God
Each call begins with an encounter with God. Each encounter can be different. For example: Moses saw God as a burning bush, Isaiah saw God in a temple, Ezekial had a vision of teh Chariot of God, St. Joan of Arc heard Gods voice.

2) Introductory Speech
God is always the first to speak.

3) Imparting of a mission
God always calls us to fulfill a mission.

4) Objection by the prophet to be
The recipient hestitates to accept the mission.

5) Reassurance by God
God comforts the prophet and reassures them.

6) The sign
The sign that the prophet receives may not always be clear.


“All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired, although not in the hour or in the measure, or the very thing which they ask. Yet they will obtain something greater and more glorious than they had dared to ask.”
Martin Luther


Some wish to hear the word of God, others wish to receive it.

Covenant

With the story of Moses we rediscover the covenant that was started with Adam, Abraham, Noah and other prophets. Moses rediscovers this new covenant by being open and willing to receive God's call. God's covenant reaffirms His commitment to love and protect us.

The five parts of the covenant are

1) The Preamble
The preamble can be viewed as the the first meeting between two individuals.
For example: if someone wants to sell there house they have to provide proof that they own the home. The homeowner has to have a Title to validate the sale of the home. The buyer has to be pre-approved by the bank to finance the home. The preamble validates the interaction between the two parties. It is the initial step that legally binds the individuals.

2) The Historical Prologue
The Historical Prologue describes the previous arrangements and agreements.
For example: if you are buying a house then a title search must conducted which will validate the sale of the house. You have to look at the history of the house and the land to ensure that previous contract where adhered to.

3) The Submission
The submission refers to our loyalty and devotion to each other. For example: In a marriage situation, both parties agree to be faithful to each other. "To love and to hold. Through sickness and health till death do us part"

4) The Witnesses
The witnesses refers to the individuals that are present.
For example: In a marriage, the witnesses include all those who gather at church to witness the union of two people.

5) The Blessings and Curses
Being faithful to the covenant comes with rewards.
Breaking the covenant will result in punishment.
For example: If you have purchased a home and you require a loan to help pay for the house, then you sign a contract agreeing top pay the loan back to the bank. With this agreement comes responsibilities. If you pay your payments, the house will belong to you (Blessing) If you miss your payments you can potential loose your home (Curse)

“And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations"

Moses

Moses....Moses....Moses....The story of Moses is an inspirational story that is recognized throughout the world. Moses is CALLED to be prophet by Yahweh.
Moses is called by God to act, to seek justice for an enslaved people.
On another level, the calling beckons us to freely enter into a covenant with God. The covenant is a sign to humans that God wants to freely establish a relationship with us. This covenant establishes an ethical guideline for humans and our daily relationships with "others" and God.

“He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever - holy and awesome is his name”

“Love lasts when the relationship comes first.”

Ch 4: The naming of God and Ethics

This chapter will explore the biblical way of looking at ethics. The source of our ethics is revealed in the exodus story and Moses. We will examine the call story and the covenant that was created with Yahweh at Mount Sinai. This revelation illustrates Gods love for us and the relationship that is created.
In short, the chapter will explore three key points.
1) Gods name is revealed to humanity.
2) The call stories of the prophets. Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, are
explored.
3) The parts of the covenant are explored as well as the relationship between God
and humanity.

“Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel; / With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them: / But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice.”

“All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired, although not in the hour or in the measure, or the very thing which they ask. Yet they will obtain something greater and more glorious than they had dared to ask.”
Martin Luther

Ch 3: Test and Assignment Reminder

Ch 3 assignment due on Monday November 3.

Ch 3 test is on Thursday November 6.

Three Senses of Conscience

Timothy O'Connell identified conscience as Capacity, as a Process and as Judgment.
The three are intrinsically linked and are necessary to effectively evaluate and act on a moral issue.
First of all, Conscience is a capacity of being human. Everyone has a general awareness of right and wrong. This capacity highlights our basic orientation towards the good. When we look at Sociopath’s and Psychopaths, we readily recognize our conscience and the search for the good.

Secondly; Conscience is a process of moral reasoning. To know right and avoid evil requires active interaction. Each situation requires us to act according to our conscience. We have to question our actions and respond according to the information we gather. Our guidelines are based on personal experiences, moral theologians, sciences, scriptures and Church tradition.

Thirdly; Conscience is a Judgment. Conscience is incomplete until you act on it. After examining all the factors..you commit to an action. An action that you believe is right.

In the end, Conscience requires that we recognize right from wrong, that we engage in a healthy dialgue to assertain the right course of action based upon numerous resources and that we act.

Conscience is our magnetic compass; reason our chart.
Joseph Cook

“There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supercedes all other courts.”
Mahatma Gandhi


“Every human has four endowments- self awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom... The power to choose, to respond, to change.”
Stephen R. Covey

Conscience is the mirror of our souls, which represents the errors of our lives in their full shape.
George Bancroft

Ch 3: The importance of character and one's body

You become self with others through community and language. You also discover self through the body. For this reason, your "actions" are embodied and shape your character. Hence, the formation of character is the fourth trait.
You develop your character through actions. Everyday actions determine your reality. As a result the more your practice the more your actions will reflect your values and Principles. For example: if your choose not to drink alcohol then you must discipline yourself to say NO when you are offered an alcoholic drink. By saying No time and time again under different circumstances reinforces your stance on alcohol. Over time, the decision to say no will be secondary and you will not be tempted or persuaded by peer pressure. Others will begin to respect your stance and treasure you for who you are. If friends refuse to acknowledge and respect your choice then they are not true friends.

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”


“Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.”
Shaquille ONeal

“First we make our habits, then our habits make us.”
Charles C. Noble

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Aristotle

Ch 3: The importance of communication and language

Your stance in life is shaped through numerous experiences. You are part of a community and that community influence who you are. As an individual we are constantly influenced by others. The teach you what is wrong or right. In most cases, what we think and justify as being right may not be right.
If we look at community, we can say that our family is one group that has an influence on your thoughts and ideas. They help shape your stance and ultimately your identity. For example, your family may be religious therefore you are more likely to be religious.
Friends also influence your thoughts and ideas. They become trusted members who can have a profound impact on your identity. For example, if your friends drink then you are more likely to drink along with them.
Media also influences your identity. Most of the time we are caught up with advertisements and a suggested way of life. You are made to feel incomplete as a human being if you do own the product. This inadequacy is reinforced when friends and others have these products and you don't. For example, you may not have cell phone while others have one. As a result, you may feel anxious and isolated because you do not own a cell phone.
Within our community, language then shapes our identity. It allows us to discuss our experiences. It is a way for us to share our collective and individual experiences. These experiences also shape our identity. They challenge our established beliefs. Words bring order to a chaotic universe. We use language to classify, analyse, theorize, and discuss our concepts and beliefs.

"There is more than a verbal tie between the words common, community, and communication.... Try the experiment of communicating, with fullness and accuracy, some experience to another, especially if it be somewhat complicated, and you will find your own attitude toward your experience changing."
John Dewey

“The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives”
Anthony Robbins

Ch 3: The Importance of having a direction in life

The second aspect of the human person that is important to ethics is the direction one has in life.Without a sense of direction we are lost. Without a sense of commitment, we wander aimless at the mercy of whatever is able to attract our interest. Most of the time we act on basic instinct and not on an educated, informed decision.
The commitments you make define your reality. They become the driving force behind your actions. Your identity will be demonstrated through your actions!! In the end, there is a direct link between your moral direction (stance in life) and your identity.

“Committing yourself is a way of finding out who you are. A man finds his identity by identifying. A man's identity is not best thought of as the way in which he is separated from his fellows but the way in which he is united with them.”
Robert Terwilliger
"The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself."
Thales

Undoubtedly, we become what we envisage."
"Claude M. Bristol

"The ancient human question 'Who am I?' leads inevitably to the equally important question 'Whose am I?' — for there is no self outside of relationship."
Parker Palmer

Ch 3: The importance of others

The main question posed for this section is, "are you responsible for your fellow human being?" In Biblical terms "Am I my brothers keeper?" (Genesis 4.1-9) In chapter one, we explored three ethical theories. (Aristotle, Kant and Levinas) Levinas claimed that we acknowledge the face of the other and in that recognition, we are in service for the other. Levinas would say that we are our brothers keeper and that we are responsible for their well being. In this way, we are relational beings.
Our relationships and interactions with others define our moral and ethical stance. We can never escape our interconnectedness with others. Our actions are always influencing others.
In popular culture, this concept is contradictary to Levinas' claim. Our culture treasures independence and self reliance. We have established a system that rewards individual success. It is relational in so far as individauls are used as a means to achieve a goal. This concept has also been present throughout time. The Greek story of Narcissus highlights our egotistical ways. We are self absorbed.
Hence the search for the good is relational and involves others. As a result, individuals have to be aware of their influence of others. More importantly, you are a self for and through others.

“Love is when the other person's happiness is more important than your own.”
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Chapter 3: Questions

Questions:
Page: 45 # 1-4
47 # 1-6
50 # 1-3
56 # 1-4
60 # 1-4, 7

Please remember to bring in an article that relates to a moral decision. You should be able to use the moral decision making compass, found on page 58, to explain the moral choice in the article.

Ch 3: Conscience: The self in search of the good

The chapter will continue our exploration of a Catholic ethical and moral theory from a philosophical perspective. Chapter 2 explored the conditions of human action while chapter 3 will take us one step further. We will explore how we become moral agents. One critical component for this chapter will be the exploration of conscience. In addition, we will explore six aspects of the human person that are important to ethics. The six aspects are:

1) The importance of others.
2) The importance of having a direction in life.
3) The importance of communication and language.
4) The importance of character and one's body.
5) The importance of conscience
6) The importance of the development of one's conscience.

These six aspects of our lives make us moral agents.


“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Ghandi

“There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supercedes all other courts.”
Ghandi

Social Determinism

Proponents of Social determinism, like Naturalism, claim that freedom is an illusion. Human behaviour can be explained through our social interactions. Our experiences mold our character and influence our decision making process. For example: if your culture promotes drinking alcohol, then it is more likely that you will drink. In this case, our social reality determines our "actions".
Freud has contributed numerous writings that attempt to explain this theoretical approach. He stated that humans operate on three distinct levels, the id, the ego, and the super ego. Each level moves from an unconscious to conscious state of mind.
The Id refers to our basic instincts. It is primarily based on the 'pleasure principle'. For example; if a baby is hungry it cries. An adult responds to the cry and the baby is feed. The baby quickly realizes that the cry initiates a reaction that will bring him food. (Pleasure) At this point in time the baby does not care about anything else. It may be two in the morning and you are exhausted yet the baby will demand food despite your tiredness.
The Ego, on the other hand, begins to recognize these social interactions and begins to understand that other people have feelings. The stage is referred to as the "Reality Principle". At this point the child begins to realize that demanding food at three in the morning is not the best thing to do and you respect the other person.
The Superego is the moral part of ourselves that develops because of the influence of our caregivers. If we advocate non violence, then it is more likely that t he child will develop an non violence approach to resolving conflicts.
In the end, our environment, culture, social circle, will determine who you are and what you will become.

Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility.
Freud

Religious Determinism

Historically, the church denied human freedom. This was based on the assumption that God's knowledge and awareness has predetermined everyones destiny. Indeed, everyone's "actions" have already been predetermined through God's knowledge.
Currently, Christians maintain that humans are free to choose. Our choices, "actions", occur because of our own free will. God may be aware of those choices but that does not preclude that we are predestined because of God's awareness.

"It is certain that we will when we will; but He (God) brings it about that we act, but that without His help we neither will anything good nor do it."
St. Augustine
In the end, we, as human beings, make choices and these choices shape who we become!!

Naturalism

If you view the world from Naturalism you look at reality as a unified whole. Everything is shaped through physical, biological, psychological, social and environmental processes. Everything in this world is interconnected. It is one great chain connected by cause and effect. In Naturalism, everything can and will be explained through science. If something is to be held as true it must be scrutinized and verified through scientific experimentation.In this world science reigns supreme.
The theory of naturalism denounces human freedom. In this theory your genes are the supreme rulers of who you are. Your genes determine your reality!! As a result all choices you will make have been genetically predetermined and freedom is a delusion. Your emotions, feelings of love, loyalty, etc can be best explained as a neural state. If you do bad things you can blame it on your "genetic code". Our "Actions" occur because of our Brain processes. In the end, Naturalism denies the possibility of ethics and morality.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is viewed as branch of Naturalism. Philosophers have argued that the two disciplines have much in common. Both areas look at and examine the human brain and its neural networks. AI researchers try to imitate brain neural networks in order to achieve greater results in computer development. It is the researchers hope to replicate human cognitive states thus achieving true AI. In either case, "actions" can be explained as an algorithm or a genetic code. Once again, the essence of freedom is being questioned!

"The second advantage claimed for naturalism is that it is equivalent to rationality, because it assumes a model of reality in which all events are in principle accessible to scientific investigation."
Phillip E. Johnson

No, our science is no illusion. But an illusion it would be to suppose that what science cannot give us we can get elsewhere.
Frued

Chapter 2: Conceptual Framework of Action

Human actions are often difficult to articulate. The conceptual framework of action allows us to examine human action in a logical manner. The conceptual framework consists of 7 critical questions. These questions allow us to evaluate whether or not an action is good. The 7 questions are
Who?: Who is the "agent" and what have they done?
What?: What was the "action" that the "agent" performed??
Why?: Why did the "agent" perform that "action".
What was the motive for that action???
How?: How did the "agent" carry out his/her "actions"?
Under what circumstances?:
The circumstances of a situation may also have an impact on your "action."
With or against whom?:
Every "action" is an interaction. We always interact with others.
Our "actions" will always affect others.
Some of our "actions" will involve numerous individuals.
As a result, it is important to be aware of our "actions."
With what outcome?:
With every "action" there is an inevitable outcome.
You are responsible for your "actions".
The outcome of your actions-intended or not-affects the self for good or for
bad.

“It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities.”
Josiah Charles Stamp

Chapter 2: Freedom

Freedom is defined as 'the human capacity to choose and to act. I am free because I have possibilities and capacities to act on these possibilities.'
If we notice, the definition states that we have the CAPACITY to choose and to act. Often, we negate that freedom to choose. Some philosophers go as far as saying that we do not have freedom and that our choices are illusions. Most of us would like to believe that we are free and that our actions have purpose. As an "agent", a person who acts freely and knowingly, we are held accountable for our actions. Good and Bad choices are made on a daily basis. As an "agent" we can choose to help or to simply walk away. Both choices influence the outcome of a situation. As a result our actions should be thoughtful!! We will explore the nature of freedom in the upcoming blog spots.
Actions define us as being human. Actions define our identity. Our actions develop who we will become!! Actions speak louder than words!! In order to develop into an ethical and moral being we must always act in a moral and ethical manner. Over time these actions develop into healthy habits. In freedom, you have the capacity to act. The "action" is the realization of that capacity. In short, "You are what you do."

"Your focus determines your reality."
Qui-Gon Jinn

“First we make our habits, then our habits make us.”
Charles C. Noble

Chapter 2 Test and Assignment Reminder

Please remember that the test for chapter 2 will be on Thursday Oct. 2
The Matrix questions are due on Monday Oct. 6

Chapter 2: You are what you do!

In this chapter will explore and examine the ethical and moral person as well as ethical and moral actions. Human actions are difficult to understand at the best of times. Numerous influences affect our decisions in everyday life. The chapter will identify and analyze several influences on human behaviour.
Freedom is a concept that is often misunderstood. Some individuals claim that freemom does not exist while others say that we have control over our lives. This chapter will also explore the concept of human freedom from various perspectives.
Throughout time, humans have tried to analyze and understand human action. This chapter will also explore a framework from which to analze human action.

"Consider the following. We humans are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others' actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others' activities. For this reason it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others."
The Dalai Lama

The Four Ethical Experiences

There are four ethical responses:
1) The Scream: when you hear someone scream we are often called to act. The scream startles us to act. The scream is an appeal , a call for help. It urges not to think but to act.
2) The Other: When we confront someone eye to eye, it reminds us of our deeper commitment and responsiblity for the "other". For example; when we meet a beggar, it challenges us to help. We may choose to ignore the other and justify our actions to dismiss this person. Irregardless, the face of the "other' compells us to question. It draws us into an ethical dilemma, one that we are unable to ignore.
3) Obligation: This experience arises from duty or obligation. For example; if our parents tell us to be home by 11:00, we are obliged to obey the curfew. Obeying this curfew appeals to our ethical side. We are compelled to obey the curfew and follow that law. It is the 'right' thing to do.
4) Intolerable!! This is not fair!!!! This ethical experience occurs when you witness a blatant act of injustice. You are called to act!!!

Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds.
Buddha:

Class Discussion

Please post a question or reply to a posted question. Everyone in the class should reply or comment at least once. Have fun!!!

The Three Ethical Theorists

Please go to the g drive (Mr. Bucarelli) on the school server to gain access to the power point presentation on the three ethical theorists.

Test/Assignment Date Reminder

Test on Chapter 1 will be on Tuesday September, 16
and Kung fu questions will be due on Tuesday September 16 as well.
Good Luck

The Journey

In this chapter, we begin an ethical journey. We will be asked to enter a part of our lives that we have already encountered. You may have to make some important ethical decisions. In many ways, we will discuss familiar topics. Despite your experience, you may not have had the opportunity to think about and discuss your experience in a systematic manner. This is the intent of the course. The course helps you to find your way through the maze of ethical and moral challenges that confront you on a daily basis. The course begins by defining Ethics and Morality. We will explore the four ethical experinces and we will talk about the three ethical theorists. So sit back and enjoy the journey.

"The journey of a thousand mile begins with a single step."
Confucious

Ethics vs. Morality

Ethics and morality are often viewed as being one and the same. Our first task is to differntiate the difference between the two.
Ethics comes from the greek word ta ethika which means having to do with good character.
Morality comes from the Latin word moralitas which means having to do with customs and habits.
Ethics is the driving force behind morality. Ethics sets the guidelines while morality fuels the our actions towards the good. For example, when we drive a car we must follow certain laws. These laws (Ethics) guide our driving habits. (Morality) We adjust our dring habits based on the road conditions (Experiences). If it rains or snows we adjust our speed so that we safely arrive at our destination.
To summarize; Ethics explores the nature of the good while morality can be viewed as our "good" actions. The course will start by exploring the search for the inifinite good and how we translate this search into actions.


Ask yourself constantly, "What is the right thing to do?"
Confucius

The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.
Confucius