Exploring Sin: Philosophical and Theological Perspectives in Mattison's Moral Theology

PART 1 Info and Summary

Introduction

In William Mattison's "Introducing Moral Theology (2008), chapter 12, titled "Sin: The Corruption of Human Happiness is a profound philosophy of sin that is explored through a philosophical lens. This essay is about sin in Christian and Catholic theology, which makes it a complex subject, and that is why it is going to explore its philosophical roots. Being a nursing student, I am attracted to this issue as it shows the contrast of the selfless care that is out of the norm in my profession.

Summary of Argument 1

Mattison argues that pride is the origin of sin, and he compares it to selfishness or self-centeredness. This way of thinking is all about the individual, and this mindset is focused all on one thing, which is oneself. Pride impedes one's ability to know and acknowledge God, thus, making him/her to think that he/she is better than others. Sin, as defined by Mattison, is the opposite of reason, truth, and conscience, which arises from a too much love of worldly goods (Mattison, 2008). This point of view shows that the way of life which is based on materialism and neglect of basic human needs is the one which doesn't lead to real happiness and causes disillusionment in society.

Summary of Argument 2

Mattison claims that sin is not only a violation of moral rules but also a rejection of God's plan, which shows a lack of trust in God's guidance. Pride is the main theme that appears in the picture as a kind of selfish desire to accumulate material goods. By considering personal interests more than God's will, people in general, destroy their connection with God. Consequently, sin is not just a personal sin but a defiance of the authority and love of God.

PART 2A Your views

View on Argument 1

Mattison's argument putting the fact that sin is multifaceted into the light of society's implications has greatly widened my understanding of the topic. I was a bit fixated on the whole sin thing before, for instance, seeing it as something that is just a personal moral error. Nonetheless, Mattison's explanation of sin as a collective phenomenon which is tightly intertwined with social peace has changed my way of thinking. I have now realized that sin not only is the matter of an individual but also affects the whole society and also destroys the communal values and norms. The fact that Mattison has emphasized the interconnectedness between personal choices and their societal repercussions has made me reconsider the profound impact of the seemingly insignificant acts of sin (Mattison, 2008). Besides, his picture of the fact that looking at porn can create distrust in society shows the very serious consequences of the actions of the individual of moral violations. Hence, the reading has not only confirmed but also strengthened my appreciation for the societal aspects of sin, motivating me to think more critically about the ethical consequences of personal actions in the social context.

Views on argument 2

Through the reading of Mattison's text, I have gone through a deep change in my knowledge of sin in connection with divine authority and guidance. Before, I considered sin as being mostly secular, which meant my view of it was concerned only with its immediate effects on personal morality rather than its theological dimensions. Nevertheless, Mattison's separation of sin as an act of refusal to God's plan has made me doubt my previous position. I can now see that sin is not only a transgression of the moral codes but also a deep existential problem which concerns the relationship between the human and the divine (Mattison, 2008). Mattison's statement that pride is the source of sin has led me to change my religious beliefs and practices. Through the example that pride makes a person to think that they are more important and superior to others, the reading made my understanding of sin more theological. As a result, I have to study the spiritual aspects of sin more intensely, realizing its consequences for the connection with the supreme being and the community at large.

PART 2B Impact on your beliefs

How the argument in the chosen text affects my views on topic of argument 1.

Mattison's statement on the many aspects of sin has even more than doubled the scope of my knowledge on the social side of it. At first, I had a somewhat limited vision regarding sin which was shaped by the concept of individual moral violations. Nevertheless, Mattison's explanation of sin as a bigger issue that is connected with social harmony has broken my previous ideas. I have now realized that sin is not just an individual activity, but it also permeates the society and thus it is the root cause of the dilution of the communal values (Siles-Gonzalez and Solano-Ruiz, 2016). Mattison has made me realize that the connection between personal choices and the consequences they have on society is so strong that I had to change my mind about the great influence of the seemingly small acts of sin. Additionally, his depiction of the way unacceptable behaviors such as watching pornography can create mistrust in society shows the wide ramifications of individual moral transgressions.

How the argument in the chosen text affects my views on topic of argument 2

Since I started to read Mattison's book, I have come to a new and complete understanding of sin and its relation to divine authority and guidance. Before, I used to think of sin as a secular matter, mainly concentrating on its instant effects on personal morality and ignoring its theological background. Nevertheless, Mattison's definition of sin as a refusal to adhere to God's will has shaken my former views (Hakverdio?lu Ynt et al., 2023). I now understand that sin is not only a violation of moral codes but also a deep existential problem of one's relation with the creator. Mattison's claim that pride is the basis of sin has led me to the conclusion that I need to go back to my spiritual beliefs and practices and reassess. The reading has underscored how pride makes a person feel superior to others, thus, putting a barrier between him and the divine, hence, deepening my understanding of the theological basis of sin. Thus, I am forced to investigate the spiritual aspects of sin more seriously, and see its consequences for my view of God and the wider human society.

PART 2C Impact of pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty

Impact of pursuit of truth

The contact with the chapter has strongly influenced me on my quest for truth by making me think deeper on moral beliefs and philosophical ideas. By the study of sin's complexities, I have been urged to look at myself and my beliefs about morality and human nature with a different perspective. This job has made me think differently when it comes to the search for truth (ULUDA? et al., 2023). I have now realized that the ethical issues are complex and the connection between the personal views and the common values is obvious. Through the difficulties of comprehending the philosophy of sin, I've acquired a whole new understanding of the complexities of moral thinking and the quest of the truth in the field of ethics.

Impact of pursuit of goodness

The task in this regard has been a motivation for me to think deeply and grow morally. Mattison's text has made me change my views on the reasons for moral actions and the significance of the moral values in both personal and communal purposes. Throughout the reading, the harmful impact of sin on society and human life has been talked about, and this has motivated me to be more morally conscious in my actions and communication with others (Talebian et al., 2023). Besides, it has aptly highlighted the importance of instilling a feeling of common responsibility and sympathy, which is the fact that the choices that one makes have a big impact on the common good.

Impact of pursuit beauty

Through the undertaking of the quest for beauty, I have gained a better understanding of the intimate relationship that exists between truth, goodness, and beauty. Mattison's study on the aspect of sin as a distortion of truth and a limit to moral goodness has stressed the necessity that the actions of a person must be in accordance with the transcendental ideals of beauty and harmony. The conflict of the moral and spiritual issues of sin has led to the contemplating of the significance of the moral development and spiritual maturity in the improving of the attractive life of humans. This activity has thus contributed to my knowledge of the relationship between moral virtue, aesthetic appreciation, and the pursuit of a more just and harmonious society.

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