Ethics class

[lucky4075]

I am currently taking an ethics class here at college that covers topics like abortion, euthanasia, and other hot button topics. I honestly feel like the only Catholic in the entire room, there were just countless cheap shots, generalizations, and plain error being taught about Christianity. It’s just a big joke to so many people including the professor to make fun of Christianity and spread the liberal agenda, it’s quite unnerving to be in class but I know my faith and I feel kind of detached from I all.

Anyways, one topic that came up today was self defense, and many people said that it is never moral to kill another. While I and the majority of the class disagreed with that assertion, a question came to mind. Would a death resulting from self defense require a confession by the defender? My mind says no, since no sin was committed, but would that be something that you would want to talk to your confessor about anyways?

 

[SonCatcher]

You are correct that no sin would have been committed. Thus, there would be no reason for repentance/confession.

However, it is possible that the person would still be bothered by the incident and feel a need to talk it out with someone. Talking to the priest in the context of Confession (that is, while confessing actual sins) can provide relief with the assurance that the conversation is protected by the seal of the confessional.

 

[John21652]

You are correct that no sin would have been committed. Thus, there would be no reason for repentance/confession.

However, it is possible that the person would still be bothered by the incident and feel a need to talk it out with someone. Talking to the priest in the context of Confession (that is, while confessing actual sins) can provide relief with the assurance that the conversation is protected by the seal of the confessional.

Not necessarily true.

The Catechism at 2264 quotes diretly from Aquinas and states -

If a man in self-defense uses more than necessary violence, it will be unlawful: whereas if he repels force with moderation, his defense will be lawful.

Self defense law has generally echoed what Aquinas taught and the Church still upholds, which is that self defence must meet the proportianality test. The threat must be immanent and the force used in defence must be proportional to the threat. In many jurisdictions the test is being challenged by concepts such as home invasion and the fear and anxiety caused by provocation resulting from a percieved threat. Basically, pulling out the shotgun should be a last resort and using it as a first measure can be tantamount to unlawful killing.

In terms of the OP and his uncomfortable Ethics classes, the concept of self defense should give him a lead-in to taking the class on a little journey of discovery.

Self defence is predicated on the Natural Law right to life. We are allowed to protect ourselves because we owe our own person respect and love. As the Catechism says at 2264 Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality.. The Catechism aside for a moment, it is generally held that it is an objective truth that most people have a strong desire to live and flourish and so it is a Natural Law right to be able to live. That is the principle behind self defence. If you explore that concept in depth and establish it in the minds of others, it makes it hard for them to argue in favour of suicide, abortion, euthanasia, etc, without contradicting the basic assumption that it is wrong to kill another.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

What kind of ethics class is that? What they’re teaching you is not ethics. In Ethics you should be learning about the different ethical system (Ie: rationalism, hedonism, utilitarianism, religious ethics, ethics of care, etc.). It’s fine to have discussions about ethical conflicts, etc, but they shouldn’t be indoctrinating you. Most schools have policies against that.

It was through my Ethics class that I started being pulled back to the Church.

Anyways, one topic that came up today was self defense, and many people said that it is never moral to kill another. While I and the majority of the class disagreed with that assertion, a question came to mind. Would a death resulting from self defense require a confession by the defender? My mind says no, since no sin was committed, but would that be something that you would want to talk to your confessor about anyways?

Based on Christian Ethics/Catholic Moral Teaching, you are permitted to kill someone in self defense, or when protecting another person’s life. However, you may only use as much force as is reasonably necessary. So if some guy punches you and you whip out your Smith and Wesson semi automatic handgun and shoot him, that would be a little overkill and require a Confession. If a guy comes at you with a knife or some other means of deadly force, then that’s a different story there too.

 

[lucky4075]

What kind of ethics class is that? What they’re teaching you is not ethics. In Ethics you should be learning about the different ethical system (Ie: rationalism, hedonism, utilitarianism, religious ethics, ethics of care, etc.). It’s fine to have discussions about ethical conflicts, etc, but they shouldn’t be indoctrinating you. Most schools have policies against that.

It was through my Ethics class that I started being pulled back to the Church.

Based on Christian Ethics/Catholic Moral Teaching, you are permitted to kill someone in self defense, or when protecting another person’s life. However, you may only use as much force as is reasonably necessary. So if some guy punches you and you whip out your Smith and Wesson semi automatic handgun and shoot him, that would be a little overkill and require a Confession. If a guy comes at you with a knife or some other means of deadly force, then that’s a different story there too.

Its called bio ethics and the law, and so far we have learned about the different ethical systems and the thinking behind them a little bit. Unfortunately this class is probably going to turn into a front as to why things like abortion/cloning/euthanasia ‘could be considered ok’- those quotes were more or less the professor’s words on the first day.
The Christianity bashing a few days ago in class didn’t really bother me so much as the fact that the professor let it happen/ took part in it. People were just saying things that were incredibly ignorant and offense, I probably should have went off and said something, but usually when I get into a heated debate I tend to become a little less…charitable. thats something I need to work on as well.

I would argue that not defending yourself or another violently if need be is a sin against charity- God gave you life and entrusted you to preserve it, not doing so would be a form of suicide. The thing I always wondered is how much concern should we show for the attacker’s soul/salvation? I’ve seen someone argue that you should just accept death since you already know Christ for salvation (seems flawed to me) and allow the attacker time to repent.

 

[Imperial_Guard]

Lucky4075,

What makes it worse is when it is at a Catholic College. Belive you me, I know.

 

[jessiepie]

Lucky4075,

What makes it worse is when it is at a Catholic College. Belive you me, I know.

Going throught the same thing right now. I’m withdrawing from my class. It sickens me that a Catholic University hired a professor whose idea of class is making us watch a Youtube clip that mocks Christianity and finishes up the class by stating that the Catholic Church is illogical and hypocritical.

 

[John21652]

Going throught the same thing right now. I’m withdrawing from my class. It sickens me that a Catholic University hired a professor whose idea of class is making us watch a Youtube clip that mocks Christianity and finishes up the class by stating that the Catholic Church is illogical and hypocritical.

Why withdraw?

If the professor is at odds with the university philosophy, shouldn’t you be reporting him? And this propensity to walk away, as many seem inclined to do, means no-one is making a stand. Why not publicly challenge this professor? Challenge him in class. Point out publicly that he is being unethical in his ethics class. Perhaps if one does it, others might find the moral courage to do likewise.

 

[lucky4075]

Its too bad really, ‘higher education’ today is an absolute disgrace for the most part. The overwhelming majority of ‘professors’ today are leftish/liberals who are set on indoctrinating students. Unfortunately many of these students take what these people say to heart.
The class is a joke, I cant wait until the professor asks for my opinion one day.

 

[odile53]

Wait a minute, before you drop the class, are you sure that you are not going to harm your grade point average by doing so? It’s probably a little late in the semester to be able to drop it without academic penalty.

After writing to the dean and the department head about what you’ve heard and observed in this class, it might be more prudent to go to the class, tell the professor what he wants to hear, and pass the course. in that letter make sure that you mention this professor’s intolerance of opposing viewpoints, and couch your wording to include “academic freedom.” I agree with one of the other posters, the content of an ethics course should be about the study of different ethical philosophic systems, and leave the specific situations out of the question.

I’m making the suggestion of sticking with the course in all due respect: You sound like you have a well-formed conscience, and with a well-formed conscience you can see evil for what it is, and more importantly, avoid getting ensnared into it. So this doesn’t pose a danger to your own soul. In fact, sometimes there is nothing like the power of a good bad example to confirm our knowledge and understanding about what truth and goodness is!

 

[mitex]

I am currently taking an ethics class here at college that covers topics like abortion, euthanasia, and other hot button topics. I honestly feel like the only Catholic in the entire room, there were just countless cheap shots, generalizations, and plain error being taught about Christianity. It’s just a big joke to so many people including the professor to make fun of Christianity and spread the liberal agenda, it’s quite unnerving to be in class but I know my faith and I feel kind of detached from I all.

Anyways, one topic that came up today was self defense, and many people said that it is never moral to kill another. While I and the majority of the class disagreed with that assertion, a question came to mind. Would a death resulting from self defense require a confession by the defender? My mind says no, since no sin was committed, but would that be something that you would want to talk to your confessor about anyways?

I’m in an ethics class right now too. I feel isolated some times. Several of my female classmates came down quite hard on me when I stood up against a girl who spoke in support of contraception.

Some times the only thing you can do is whether the storm and hope for support. Good luck!

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

Wait a minute, before you drop the class, are you sure that you are not going to harm your grade point average by doing so? It’s probably a little late in the semester to be able to drop it without academic penalty.

The final day to withdraw from a class in most universities and colleges is shortly after midterms. The idea is that you have enough of your marks completed that you have a good idea whether or not you’re going to fail the class. Doing with put a W on your transcript, but not affect your GPA. If you’re on student loans, it could have a negative impact on that.