Basis Flashcards
What is the central idea of Natural Law Ethics?
Natural Law Ethics posits that everything has a nature which directs it towards a particular end goal or telos, and for humans, this is set by the Christian God according to His omnibenevolent plan for the universe.
What is the significance of the four tiers of law in Aquinas’ Natural Law Ethics?
The four tiers of law (eternal, divine, natural, and human) establish a hierarchy where human laws derive their authority from the natural and divine laws, which ultimately derive from God’s omnibenevolent nature.
What are the primary precepts according to Aquinas’ Natural Law Ethics?
The primary precepts include worshiping God, living in an orderly society, reproducing, educating, protecting and preserving human life, and defending the innocent. These are derived from the innate orientation towards the good in human nature.
How does Aquinas defend the use of human reason in discovering natural moral law?
Aquinas argues that while original sin affects human reason, it does not destroy our natural inclination towards the good, and with God’s grace, reason can discover knowledge of God and natural moral law.
How does Aquinas’ Natural Law theory address cultural moral disagreements?
Aquinas acknowledges that human nature contains an orientation towards the good but recognizes factors like original sin, mistakes in conscientia, lack of virtue, and corrupt cultures as reasons for moral failings, thus supporting the existence of a core set of moral views across cultures.
What are the components of an act according to Natural Law Ethics?
An act consists of the exterior act (the physical action) and the interior act (the intention behind the action). Both must align with the telos of human nature to be morally good.
How does Natural Law Ethics view the relationship between reason and divine law?
Natural Law Ethics holds that reason allows humans to discover God’s moral law, which aligns with divine law revealed in the Bible, and following this natural law is crucial for living a moral life and glorifying God.
