2.3 Natural Moral Law

Question 1

what is natural moral law

Answer 1

• an ethical theory developed in christian form by Thomas Aquinas
• based on belief that the world/human life has a purpose (telos) given by god
• god has created a moral law in human nature, this natural law should be usivreally followed and is discoverable through the use of human reason

Question 2

aristotle - origin of natural moral law

Answer 2

• argued that humans follow the customs and laws of society, there is also a universal law which we can all abide by

Question 3

telos

Answer 3

• everything in the universe has a telos, meaning purpose
• the purpose of human life is eudaemonia -> flourishing and living well

Question 4

eudaimonia

Answer 4

• human flourishing, the fulfilment of your potential

Question 5

aquinas four tiers of law

Answer 5

• eternal (law known in mind of god)
• divine (gods special revelation of his law - disclosed through bible)
• natural (god’s law revealed through right reason in accordance with nature)
• human (systems of laws built by human societies)

Question 6

aquinas - the syneresis principle

Answer 6

• ‘do good and avoid evil’
• aquinas believed all humans are by nature disposed to do good
• purposing good is achieved though following 5 primary precepts
• pursuing good leads to eudaemonia

Question 7

aquinas difference in goods - real goods

Answer 7

• those which lead to fulfilling our god-given purpose, achieving eudaimonia
• know them by using ‘right reason in accordance with nature’

Question 8

aquinas difference in goods - apparent goods

Answer 8

• human are flawed, fall short of gods intentions for them
• consume what seems to be good with actual good
• enjoyable doesn’t lead to eudaemonia, it can lead to sin
  eg) a kid buying sweets

Question 9

aquinas five primary precepts

Answer 9

• preservation of life
• reproduction/procreation
• education
• living in an ordered society
• worship of god

Question 10

strengths of natural moral law

Answer 10

• has consistency and flexibility
• John Walters; provides a ‘foundational, universal and absolute approach to ethics’
• the emphasis on reasoning is empowering

Question 11

weaknesses of natural moral law

Answer 11

• depends on belief in god
• outdated eg) sexual ethics
• too absolutist

Question 12

the doctrine of double effect

Answer 12

• relevant in situations where a single action has two affects
• distinction between intention and foresight
• effect intended what matters
  eg) killing an attacker for self defence

Question 13

proportionalism

Answer 13

• contemporary development of natural moral law
• Bernard Hoose argued NML needs to be simplified/more applicable
• moral laws should be generally followed unless there is a proportionate reason to break them

Question 14

aquinas interior and exterior acts

Answer 14

• an interior act is intention behind action
• an external act is actual act peformed

Question 15

christian ethical NML

Answer 15

• advocated absolute moral laws, allows for no exceptions; as they are god-given
• legalist as gives us clear moral code to follow, similar to rules of law