The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) Day 236: The Morality of Human Acts (2025)
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Aug 24, 2025 Fr. Mike delves into the intricate layers of morality, focusing on the three crucial sources: the object chosen, the intention behind it, and the surrounding circumstances. He discusses how these elements shape our moral decisions and emphasizes the importance of evaluating actions beyond mere intentions. The conversation highlights a troubling trend among young adults in grasping moral distinctions, urging listeners to reflect deeply on their ethical choices and the inherent nature of right and wrong.
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Freedom Makes Us Moral Agents
- Freedom makes humans moral agents because deliberate acts flow from judgment of conscience.
- Acting intentionally allows deeds to be evaluated as morally good or evil.
Three Constitutive Elements
- The morality of acts depends on three constitutive elements: object, intention, and circumstances.
- These three elements together determine whether an act is morally good or evil.
Reject ‘End Justifies The Means’
- Do not rely on a good intention to justify an intrinsically disordered act like lying or calumny.
- Remember: the end does not justify the means.