4TH Quarter: Flashcards
What is the definition of Law according to St. Thomas Aquinas?
St. Thomas Aquinas states that law is an ordinance of reason promulgated by competent authority for the sake of common good.
What does Ordinance of reason mean in law?
A good law must be reasonable and it must be a product of careful and serious deliberation. It should not be based on emotions or sentiments.
What does Properly promulgated mean in law?
Law must be clearly communicated to all people concerned and it is our duty to know, understand and follow different policies.
What does Decreed by Competent authority mean in law?
People with legitimate authority have the power to create and implement.
What does For the sake of common good mean in law?
A just law promotes dignity and true freedom for each person.
It is the rules of right conduct concerning matters of greater importance.
Morality
How can an act be legal or morally good?
An act is legal if it does not contradict any state law, while an act is morally good if its nature
What are the different kinds of law?
Eternal Law
Natural Law
Divine Law
Human Law
It is the kind of law which exists because of God’s Divine Providence. God created the universe, the universe is governed by his laws. It is the basis for all other kinds of laws.
Eternal Law
How can a thing or being follow the eternal law?
If it fulfills its purpose/plan.
How can humans fulfill the eternal law?
By doing what is right for me and you
What is Natural Law?
General rules that any rational agent can come to recognize
What are the Primary Precepts?
- Protect and preserve human life.
- Reproduce and educate one’s offspring.
- Know and worship God.
- Live in a society.
- What you don’t wish others to do to you, don’t do them.
- Maintain your health and well-being.
- Lawful authority, including parents, must be obeyed.
Who is the author of the natural law?
God.
This kind of law is derived from eternal law and the rules given by God which we find in scripture; for example, the ten commandments.
Divine Law
