***Aquinas' Natural Law - Paper 1 (G+E)

Question 1

What do Catholics mean by Natural Law? (2 marks)

Answer 1

Natural law is the universal and absolute moral laws of right and wrong. This Aquinian theory proposes that they apply to all humans and do not change with time.

Question 2

How do we “do good and avoid evil”?
(Aquinas’ summary of Natural Law)

Answer 2

Use our reason to distinguish right from wrong

Question 3

What are primary precepts?

Answer 3

Universal principles showing the purpose of human life to which our actions should be oriented

Question 4

How many primary precepts does Aquinas propose?

Answer 4

5

Question 5

What do the Primary precepts do?

Answer 5

Show the purpose of human life

Question 6

State Aquinas’ Five Primary Precepts

Answer 6

Worship God
Ordered Society
Reproduction
Learning (Education)
Defend the Innocent

WORLD

Question 7

What are secondary precepts?

Answer 7

Rules based on primary precepts which help us to live well

Question 8

Give an example of a secondary precept

Answer 8

“Abortion is wrong”
because it is derived from “Defend the Innocent”