What are the three sources of morality? The three sources of morality are object, intention, and circumstances. Every human act, every choice we make, includes those three elements—even if we’re talking about eating an ice cream cone. These three sources become important when we’re talking about acts of a moral nature for which we can receive either praise or blame. The reason they’re called “sources of morality” is because by analyzing these elements we can evaluate in an objective way the moral quality of a particular human act. We call them sources because they are sources of information in terms of the morality of the free choices we make.

The three sources of morality are essential in helping us to evaluate human acts and form our moral code. They give us tools to help us live our lives in a morally upright and praiseworthy way. Remember, in living a morally good life, we point our lives toward God, who alone is the true and only source of perfect happiness. 

Objective: In this course, students will learn about the three sources of morality. Students will be provided with the tools necessary to properly analyze the moral nature of human acts and will be shown how to objectively evaluate whether a particular free human act is morally good or bad. 

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Course curriculum

  • 01

    The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 1 - Introduction

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 1 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 1 - Introduction - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 1 - Introduction - VIDEO

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 1 - Introduction - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (12/11/20)

    • Lesson 1 - Introduction - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer
  • 02

    The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 2 - Object

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 2 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 2 -Object - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 2 - Object - VIDEO

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 2 - Object - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (12/15/20)

    • Lesson 2 - Object - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer
  • 03

    The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 3 - Intrinsically Evil Objects

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 3 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 3 - Intrinsically Evil Objects - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 3 - Intrinsically Evil Objects - VIDEO

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 3 - Intrinsically Evil Objects - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (12/16/20)

    • Lesson 3 - Intrinsically Evil Objects - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer
  • 04

    The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 4 - Good Intentions

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 4 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 4 - Good Intentions - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 4 - Good Intentions - VIDEO

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 4 - Good Intentions - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (12/17/20)

    • Lesson 4 - Good Intentions - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer
  • 05

    The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 5 - Bad Intentions

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 5 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 5 - Bad Intentions - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 5 - Bad Intentions - VIDEO

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 5 - Bad Intentions - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (12/18/20)

    • Lesson 5 - Bad Intentions - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer
  • 06

    The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 6 - Circumstances and Increased Goodness

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 6 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 6 - Circumstances and Increased Goodness - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 6 - Circumstances and Increased Goodness - VIDEO

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 6 - Circumstances and Increased Goodness - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (12/22/20)

    • Lesson 6 - Circumstances and Increased Goodness - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer
  • 07

    The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 7 - Circumstances and Diminished Goodness

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 7 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 7 - Circumstances and Diminished Goodness - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 7 - Circumstances and Diminished Goodness - VIDEO

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 7 - Circumstances and Diminished Goodness - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (12/23/20)

    • Lesson 7 - Circumstances and Diminished Goodness - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer
  • 08

    The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 8 - Circumstances and Increased Culpability

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 8 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 8 - Circumstances and Increased Culpability - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 8 - Circumstances and Increased Culpability - VIDEO

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 8 - Circumstances and Increased Culpability - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (12/29/20)

    • Lesson 8 - Circumstances and Increased Culpability - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer
  • 09

    The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 9 - Circumstances and Diminished Culpability

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 9 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 9 - Circumstances and Diminished Culpability - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 9 - Circumstances and Diminished Culpability - VIDEO

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 9 - Circumstances and Diminished Culpability - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (12/30/20)

    • Lesson 9 - Circumstances and Diminished Culpability - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer
  • 10

    The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 10 - The Importance of Communicating Moral Truth

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 10 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 10 - The Importance of Communicating Moral Truth - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 10 - The Importance of Communicating Moral Truth - VIDEO

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 10 - The Importance of Communicating Moral Truth - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (12/31/20)

    • Lesson 10 - The Importance of Communicating Moral Truth - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer
  • 11

    The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 11 - More on Circumstances and Increasing Evil

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 11 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 11 - More on Circumstances and Increasing Evil - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 11 - More on Circumstances and Increasing Evil - VIDEO

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 11 - More on Circumstances and Increasing Evil - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (1/5/21)

    • Lesson 11 - More on Circumstances and Increasing Evil - QUIZ
  • 12

    The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 12 - More on Circumstances and Increasing Goodness

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 12 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 12 - More on Circumstances and Increasing Goodness - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 12 - More on Circumstances and Increasing Goodness - VIDEO

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

    • Lesson 12 - More on Circumstances and Increasing Goodness - QUIZ
  • 13

    The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 13 - Rules to Remember

    • The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 13 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 13 - Rules to Remember - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 13 - Rules to Remember - VIDEO

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

    • Lesson 13 - Rules to Remember - QUIZ

Social proof: reviews

Merry Seymour

5 star rating

“Every catholic needs to view this, especially those in faith formation. One of the Best Courses/Guides I've Seen for a Moral Life”

“Every catholic needs to view this, especially those in faith formation. One of the Best Courses/Guides I've Seen for a Moral Life”

→Read Less

Minerva Castilo

5 star rating

“The courses I took is one of the best one yet. Thank you so much for all the effort to put this course together and also to Decon Fredric B.”

“The courses I took is one of the best one yet. Thank you so much for all the effort to put this course together and also to Decon Fredric B.”

→Read Less

Arlene Thomas

5 star rating

“I have a lot to be accountable for in my walk with Christ. I believe that if I look to Him I will continue to direct my path.”

“I have a lot to be accountable for in my walk with Christ. I believe that if I look to Him I will continue to direct my path.”

→Read Less

Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

Deacon Frederick Bartels is a member of the Catholic clergy who serves the Church in the diocese of Pueblo, CO. He received an MA in Theology and Educational Ministry from Catholic Distance University, where he is currently employed as an adjunct professor of theology. He is founder and editor of Joy In Truth (joyintruth.com), an online magazine dedicated to the New Evangelization. As a Catholic educator, public speaker and evangelist, Deacon Bartels strives to infuse culture with the saving principles of the gospel. He lives in Colorado with his wife, Shelly, and the youngest two of their six children. Professor Bartels is Chairman of the Theology Department.

Deacon Frederick Bartels

Professor of Theology, Department Chair