Key Ethical Principles

Traditionally understood as the "first principle" of morality, the dictum "do good and avoid evil" lends some moral content to this principle. The principle of beneficence is a "middle principle" … read more

In general, the common good consists of all the conditions of society and the goods secured by those conditions, which allow individuals to achieve human and spiritual flourishing. The social … read more

Considered as one type of justice, distributive justice is a central concept in the Catholic tradition and is closely linked to the concepts of human dignity, the common good, and … read more

An action that is good in itself that has two effects--an intended and otherwise not reasonably attainable good effect, and an unintended yet foreseen evil effect--is licit, provided there is … read more

Moralists have long recognized that under many circumstances, it would be impossible for an individual to do good in the world, without being involved to some extent in evil. Along … read more

The intrinsic worth that inheres in every human being. From the Catholic perspective (among other Christian perspectives), the source of human dignity is rooted in the concept of Imago Dei, … read more

It is the right and responsibility of every competent individual to advance his or her own welfare. This right and responsibility is exercised by freely and voluntarily consenting or refusing … read more

These principles dictate that the well-being of the whole person must be taken into account in deciding about any therapeutic intervention or use of technology (see Ethical and Religious Directives, … read more

Often used synonymously with the term "ordinary/extraordinary means" since the two sets of terms were equated in the 1980 Vatican Declaration on Euthanasia. This principle constitutes an important approach to … read more

All persons have a right to religious freedom, which has its foundation in human dignity. This principle implies that competent individuals should never be forced to act in a manner … read more

As commonly understood today, autonomy is the capacity for self-determination. Being autonomous, however, is not the same as being respected as an autonomous agent. To respect an autonomous … read more

All individual human beings are presumed to be free and responsible persons and should be treated as such in proportion to their ability in the circumstances. Individuals with reduced autonomy … read more

Stewardship requires us to appreciate the two great gifts that a wise and loving God has given: the earth, with all its natural resources, and our own human nature, with … read more

Often considered a corollary of the principle of the common good, subsidiarity requires those in positions of authority to recognize that individuals have a right to participate in decisions that … read more

Tolerance of moral and religious views other than one’s own is often considered a civic virtue in the United States. In the Catholic moral tradition, however, the principle has a … read more