Aquinas (The big G)

Question 1

What is Aquinas’ main idea?

Answer 1

• Lex Injustia est Lex- unjust law is not law.
• Moral standards and moral law → derived from nature of the world
• God → image of god (Humans) → human have capacity of reason enable them to deduce right actions towards common good.

Question 2

What are his requirements for a law?

Answer 2

A. Reasonable
B. Directed towards common good
C. Not serve private interests of few individuals

Question 3

What is Aquinas’ definition of reason?

Answer 3

Reason= “Rule and Measure” in deriving first principles.

Question 4

What are first principles?

Answer 4

They are immutable.

•hah he actually doesn’t go on besides this. wtf are they.

Question 5

What are second principles?

Answer 5

anything other than first principles

Question 6

What layers of law does Aquinas discuss?

hint: there are 4

Answer 6

Eternal Law:
apply to whole community of universe, governed by God following Gods plan for the universe
↓
Divine Law:
law revealed by scripture
↓
Natural Law:
part of divine law discoverable by reason. (avoiding evil and doing good)
↓
Human Law:
supported by human reason + articulated via human authorities for common good (human law only valid when follows natural law)

Question 7

Critics of Aquinas?

Answer 7

• He doesn’t explain what first principles are
• His logic is only applicable if your state has religion built in legal/ if you follow Christianity (since most are secular now and keep state and religion separate)