Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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MORAL CAUSE

A free cause as distinguished from a necessary one. The opposite of a physical cause. One that acts as a motive for the performance of a free action or serves as an occasion that favors the action of a free cause.

See Also: CAUSE, See Also: EFFICIENT CAUSE, See Also: FINAL CAUSE, See Also: FIRST CAUSE, See Also: FORMAL CAUSE, See Also: FREE CAUSE, See Also: MATERIAL CAUSE, See Also: NECESSARY CAUSE, See Also: SECONDARY CAUSE