4 - Basic Principles of Christian Ethics

8/4/2019 4 - Basic Principles of Christian Ethics

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BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN

CATHOLIC ETHICS

by

Ric A. Cervera, PhD


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1)Principle of Stewardship

human life comes from God

we have the responsibility

to protect and defend it

we have the obligation toseekappropriate medical care to

ensure its proper functioning


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2. Principle of Inviolabilityof Human Life

inalienable right to life

Gods has ultimate power onhuman life
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/files/2005/08/fetus.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/news/index.html&h=258&w=365&sz=11&hl=en&start=7&tbnid=uGPAzdqQiQcoOM:&tbnh=86&tbnw=121&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfetus%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D


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According to Catholic

moral theology, the takingof life may be justified incases of self defense andjust war.

However, the directkilling of an innocentperson on ones ownauthority is alwayswrong.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://api7.com/images/euthanasia-1.JPG&imgrefurl=http://api7.com/articles-2004/2004-cook-dutch-1.html&h=230&w=320&sz=15&hl=en&start=5&tbnid=ro_BX8PhfkjReM:&tbnh=85&tbnw=118&prev=/images%3Fq%3Deuthanasia%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DGhttp://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.richthofen.com/france_at_war/artois_afterattack.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.richthofen.com/france_at_war/&h=422&w=400&sz=32&hl=en&start=3&tbnid=VHvO8PiVu23acM:&tbnh=126&tbnw=119&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwar%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D


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3. Principle of Totality

the whole is greater than anyof its parts

a part exists for the good of thewhole and may be sacrificedwhen necessary to serve the

proportionate good for the whole

the principle applies only

when a part of the bodyjeopardizes the interest of thewhole body


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The difficulties are encountered in

cases of plastic surgery, organ transplantsand above all, sterilization.

The Principle of Totality justifies a

series of surgical interventions done indaily clinical practice.

Specific operations do not inthemselves present moral problems if

surgical ablation involves a diseasedorgan.


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a) Any part of the body, healthy or diseased, maybe sacrificed if such step is the only measureof safeguarding the health and life of thewhole body.

b) It is immoral to lessen the functional perfection

and completeness of the body when such ameasure is not required for the preservation of

the health and life of the whole body.

Moral Principles


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It does not apply to:

a) sacrificing the individual forthe sake of society (i.e.research on human subjects)

b) taking of an organ from oneperson for transplantationinto another

c) destruction of the fetus to

serve the interests of themother
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/genome/images/manipulate_fetus_l.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/genome/manipulate_03.html&h=371&w=260&sz=21&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=YbMcVehEuegvSM:&tbnh=122&tbnw=85&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfetus%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DGhttp://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.vghtpe.gov.tw/doce/images/dep_02.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.vghtpe.gov.tw/doce/dep_02.htm&h=200&w=300&sz=61&hl=en&start=6&tbnid=XVNTm1kw5Cyw1M:&tbnh=77&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dorgan%2Btransplantation%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG


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Question:

How about the mutilation ofsexual functions as in the caseof sterilization?


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4. Principle of Sexuality &Procreation

sexuality is embedded far

deeper than satisfaction ofhuman desire

sexuality is to be used basedon Gods purpose and

according to its natural end
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.urc.org.uk/human_sexuality/sexuality_index_page/sexuality-logo.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.urc.org.uk/human_sexuality/sexuality_index_page/sexuality_reform.htm&h=387&w=358&sz=40&hl=en&start=4&tbnid=Z3Y6PmWc49nYDM:&tbnh=123&tbnw=114&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsexuality%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D


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Two purposes of sexual function

according to Catholic moral

theology:

a) procreation and nurturing ofchildren (procreative)

b) express the loving union ofcompanionship (unitive)

Note:

- the principle of totality cannotjustify the sacrifice of reproductivepowers
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://homepages.wmich.edu/~k1spurge/husband%2520%26%2520wife!.jpg&imgrefurl=http://homepages.wmich.edu/~k1spurge/photos.html&h=360&w=524&sz=44&hl=en&start=4&tbnid=pe50cCkQP13E0M:&tbnh=91&tbnw=132&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhusband%2Band%2Bwife%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D


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Question:

How about the case of

cancerous uterus, which, if notremoved, would surely kill thepatient?


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4 - Basic Principles of Christian Ethics