Contemporary applications and adaptations of NML

Question 1

Who is the ethical theory of proportionalism most closely associated with?

Answer 1

Bernard Hoose

Question 2

What is proportionalism often seen as an attractive middle way in between?

Answer 2

The absolutism of NML and other situational ethics

Question 3

Give a quote from Hoose that summarises the ethical theory of proportionalism

Answer 3

‘It is never right to go against a principle unless there is a proportionate reason that would justify it’

Question 4

Explain the ethical theory of proportionalism

Answer 4

This means that we should generally follow NML until there was a significant reason that would mean it was fair to temporarily set these rules aside. Therefore, acts are not inherently or always evil

Question 5

What is the main issue with proportionalism?

Answer 5

Problems arise in deciding what constitutes a proportionate reason to abandon moral laws. Proportionalists do not provide a method for doing this, so it is left up to the judgement of the individual involved

Question 6

How do proportionalists counter the criticism that the theory provided inadequate guidance?

Answer 6

They argue that in a given situation it will become clear what is proportionate reason

Question 7

What had natural law theorists already realised far before Hoose developed proportionalism?

Answer 7

That absolutism had its limitations

Question 8

How did Aquinas come to the realisation that absolutism was flawed?

Answer 8

While he may have held that the primary precepts were absolute, he also recognised that sometimes life throws up situations where it is impossible to do good without also performing evil

Question 9

What is the doctrine of double effect?

Answer 9

A theory that holds that a bad consequence does not make an act morally wrong so long as the bad consequence was not intended

Question 10

What did 20th century thinkers John Finnis and Germain Griesz say about NML?

Answer 10

They argued that medieval theologians like Aquinas, working from the classical foundations of Aristotle, have a moral vision skewed towards the ‘big’ metaphysical picture, and that this is to the detriment of the NML teaching

Question 11

What have Griesz and Finnis said should replace NML?

Answer 11

A new natural law

Question 12

What would this new natural law focus on?

Answer 12

The concrete qualities which are necessary for moral goodness, rather than anything abstract

Question 13

What two types did Griesz divide ‘goods’ into?

Answer 13

Practical and moral

Question 14

What are practical goods?

Answer 14

Those which help a person’s attempts to do the right thing

Question 15

What are moral goods?

Answer 15

Virtues like justice, temperance and wisdom

Question 16

How did Griesz’ think that moral and practical goods are related?

Answer 16

He thought it was easier for a moral agent to display moral goods if they had access to practical goods

Question 17

How can abortion be justified under NML?

Answer 17

The doctrine of double effect has often been invoked by the catholic church to justify abortion in special circumstances - usually when the mother’s life would be put at risk by going forth with the pregnancy. At such times, although performing an abortion results in bad consequences, the intention is good

Question 18

Why do many make the arguement that euthanasia can never be justified under NML?

Answer 18

• It always involves ending a life, and therefore breaks the primary precept of preserving life
• Euthanasia could also be seen as conflicting with the primary precept of living in an orderly society. It can be argued that euthanasia can have no place in an orderly society because of the distress it would cause