Module 4 · Bioethics

Foundations of Catholic Medical Bioethics

How do I reason morally?

Introduction

Why this module exists

Moral reasoning is a skill that can be taught. This module introduces the moral act — object, intention, circumstances — along with natural law, conscience, cooperation and double effect, giving students a reliable structure for ethical analysis.

Analyze a moral act by object, intention and circumstances
Explain conscience formation in Catholic teaching
Apply principles of cooperation and double effect to clinical facts
Integrate faith and reason in ethical analysis

Moral Act FrameworkHuman dignityNatural lawVirtueConscienceCooperationDouble effectMoral responsibilityFaith and reasonEthical analysis

Session

Formation session video

Stage 4 session — Bioethics

Recording is published by the program director after the Friday session.

Required

Readings

Catechism

CCC §§1749–1756 — The morality of human acts
CCC §§1776–1794 — Moral conscience

Optional

Deeper study

Browse the full Bioethics Library

Reflection

Answer honestly — this is private

Where do you usually start an ethical question — with the answer you want, or with what is true?

Which part of the moral act do you tend to overlook?

Discussion

For the cohort

Can a good intention make a bad object acceptable?
How do we distinguish formal from material cooperation on a ward team?

Prayer

This week's prayer

“Give me a conscience formed by truth, not by preference.”

Interactive medical case

How Far Away Is Far Enough?

A student is asked to complete paperwork that will be used in a procedure the student believes is gravely wrong. The task itself is administrative, several steps removed, and would otherwise be completed by someone else within minutes.

Personal application

This week, in your own life

Analyze one recent decision using object, intention and circumstances.

Ministry application

This week, in the cohort

Host a cohort case discussion using the moral act framework.

Knowledge check

The three sources of the morality of a human act are:

Notes

Your module notes

Notes and reflections save automatically on this device.

The question beneath everything

What kind of doctor are you becoming?