2. Making Good Decisions
o We are shaped by our choices
o Every moral choice we make reveals the
kind of person we are and forms
the kind of person we become
EX.
1. From the choice to throw our garbage
properly
in the trash can
– our choice of vocation or career in life.
3. Making Good Decisions
Sometimes, good choice may seem so clear hat we pursue
it without much deliberation
Other times, good choice may not be so clear because
there are important factors to consider:
- circumstances of our decision-making
- possible short-term or long-term consequences
- other people’s guidance
- our values formed with the guidance of moral
norms
4. Why do we need to make moral decisions more carefully?
- The choices before us involve conflicting values
- There is uncertainty or doubt
- Peer pressure
- Possible negative consequences
What values do we need to choose, what is good ?
5. Making Good Decisions
Different ways by which people make
moral decisions
“toss coin” decisions
“bahala na”
“ene-minie-mienimo”
6. Developed a manual or
guide for the Spiritual
Exercises for prayer and
discernment in the
context of a30-day
retreat
St. Ignatius Loyola
(Patron of retreats and prayers)
7. Making Good Decisions
Bible cutting/ randomly
opening the bible to a verse and
interpreting its message as
God’s will – it isolates the written
text of Sacred scriptures from its
stages of formation, its intended
purpose, its proper use and
interpretation and the over-all
Christian message
8. Making Good Decisions
1.Extreme individualities
– only consider their self-centered
perspective without listening to the
wisdom of the moral norms, Church
teachings and others
- danger of “rationalizing away”
(excusing) even clearly morally evil acts
Ex. A student may rationalize
his resolve to cheat in the exam by
dwelling on his need to pass
9. Making Good
Decisions
2. Passive conformist
- leave the decision-making
to his/her barkada or other
authority figures , sometimes
disregarding the very prompting
of his/her own conscience.
10. How can we develop the
skill of making
HOLISTIC DECISIONS ?
11. How can our personal, loving
knowledge of Jesus shape the way
we make our everyday moral
decisions?
Jesus’ life and teachings allow us to discern what is good
for us as well as for others
1. Jn. 8:12
= “ i am the light of the world.
Whoever follow me will not
walk in darkness, but will have
the light of life.
12. 2. Acts 2:1-4
= “christ's spirit of love, the
holy spirit, gives us the
courage to choose the good.
The same spirit empowered
the fearful disciples at
Pentecost
13. 3. Acts 9: 1-19
= instrumental in Paul's
conversion
4. Lk 22: 39-46
= “ christs’ own crossroads –
in the garden of gethsemane
where he confronted the
certainty of his suffering and
death with such agony”
14. 5. Mt. 20:28
= “jesus' prayed to the father,
embraced what was good and
lovingly entrusted himself to
the father’s will so that his
life may be offered as a
ransom for many”
15. 6. 1 Jn 3:1
= “jesus is our model of
fortitude and true freedom.
Selflessly offering his life to
fulfill the father's will that
we may be called the children
of god.
16. 7. James 14:6
= “ christ beckons us to follow
him for he IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH
and the life.”
17. Important Elements in
Making Moral Decisions
A.Investigate the facts of the Moral Act
3 Dimensions of every Moral Act:
1. The object or nature of the act
- “What is the act involved ?”
Example:
a.The act involved in maligning the good reputation of
a classmate by spreading gossip is lying, or SLANDER
b.A person who takes another person’s possession is
guilty of STEALING
c. A married person who has intimate relations with
someone other than one’s spouse commits ADULTERY
18. 2. Intention of the act ( subjective aspect)
– why are you doing it? Why did you commit the act?
“ A good end does not justify a morally evil means”
Example:
When a student lets a friend copy from his own paper
during an exam, his goal is to help a friend pass the
subject.
3. Circumstances of the act
- “What are the important factors involved
in the act? “ It is necessary to understand the
particulars of the moral act in order on facts
rather than on whim mere sentimentally.
19. A.Inquire about the moral norms
affecting your act
B.Imagine alternativeness and
consequences
C.Introspect: Listen to your
emotions
D.Implore God’s help in prayer
- reading and praying using Bible
- visiting the Blessed sacrament
- Exercising the examine of
consciousness
- journalizing
20. GROWING IN VIRTUE,
GROWING IN CHRIST
A.Cardinal Virtues
1.PRUDENCE
- the virtue of good moral judgment or
wisdom.
Example:
A prudent person/teenager is someone who
makes moral decisions carefully and
intelligently, knows his/her priorities, and
clearly distinguishes between what is good
and true from what is evil and false
21. 2. FORTITUDE
- the virtue of moral strength or moral
courage, the capacity to resist temptation and
pursue what is good despite obstacles
Example:
Someone who possesses the virtue of
fortitude has the ability to endure, overcome
difficulties and sacrifice to do what is good.
22. 3. JUSTICE
- the firm will to give persons their due
Example:
A truly just person is one who genuinely
respect all persons, acts compassionately
towards all those in need, and has a firm
sense of responsibility towards others and
the whole community
23. 4. TEMPERANCE
- the virtue of moderation or self-mastery.
Example:
A person who exemplifies temperance
manager his/her emotions, drives, and
impulses and expresses them appropriately
