Development of the Individual Person

What is Progress?
An effect by which we can deduce the presence of an intellect as well as a free
will
Movement forward or toward a place
The process of improving or developing
The idea that the world can become increasingly better in terms of science,
technology, modernization, liberty, democracy and quality of life

Who can progress?

Man a rational animal

What is Progress?
True Development Starts with Development of the Human Person
How can you say that a Human Person has developed?

Remember:
Man can choose how to react. We are FREE.
If you hope to become better, make sure that your will and intellect will participate.

Role of Values
Value system
The closer your value system is to the objective moral values, the better your chances
of becoming a better person.
Objective Moral Values
No matter how diverse our cultural traditions can be, we must recognize that there are
some objective norms that tell us which of our actions are upright and which are
unacceptable.
6 Core Moral Values

Love for God

Has to be preceded by knowledge of God, for one cannot love what one does not
know
At your age
You should have realized by now that there is a God and that your are not Him.
You should already know that you exist and that you were created by God in His image
and likeness.

Respect for Authority

Working and living with others in pursuit of a common goal make it necessary for
relationships of authority to exist.
Selfless Love for Others
Stems from our realization that our neighbors are our equals, at least in nature that
they are as human as we are.

Respect for the Dignity of Human Sexuality

The outcome of the realization that we, humans, are either male or female.

Responsible Dominion over Material Things

You do not have the license to do whatever you want to do with material things.
Love people for their own sake but never for material things.
Use material things in accordance with their true nature.

Respect for the Truth

A human value because without it, efforts toward our common goals will not prosper.
Obliged to conceal the truth.

Norms as Guides
Moral values = users manual

The Role of Virtues

Habits

How to acquire virtues?

Since all virtues are related, the more virtues you acquire, the easier it becomes to
acquire more; and consequently, it also becomes easier to make the right choices
and act correctly, more consistently.
Prudence
Virtue that makes a person pick out an information which he/she judges to be in
agreement with what is correct and true.
Justice
The habit that disposes a man or woman to always give to another his/her due.
Fortitude
The habit that enables us to struggle to overcome or, at least, endure difficulties and
pressures in order to pursue a higher or greater good.
You need to start saying NO.
Temperance
The habit of putting your desires and natural inclinations under the control of right
reason. It is the habit that makes you master of your passions and inclinations, not
their slaves.

Life is a warfare, and if you are to win its great battles, you have to conquer yourself
in the skirmishes you encounter daily.

The Relational Aspect of Persons

When families function properly, the well-being of individuals and of the whole society
is largely assured.