Has the universe as a whole been designed with a telos

Question 1

What is NL/ what is telos

Answer 1

Natural law refers to laws of morality ascertainable through human reason allows to reach our final purpose (Eudaimonia)

Question 2

Argument for (introduction)

Answer 2

Absolutist deontological approach, which follows Gods law

Question 3

Argument against (introduction)

Answer 3

Relativist would disagree and argue that morality needs to be relativised to each circumstance

Question 4

Conclusion (introduction)

Answer 4

Not helpful as absolutist approach not helpful in a contingent world

Question 5

Section 1: theme

Answer 5

Does the world have intention and design behind it?

Question 6

Section 1: AO1
(Telos)

Answer 6

Based on the Aristotelian theory that goodness is linked to telos (final purpose all contingent things are working towards) Fulfilling the human telos achieves eudaimonia (flourishing); for humans, that is a life of reason with virtue, where humans use their practical wisdom (phronesis) to discern good.
Aquinas developed this and believed that eudaimonia can be achieved in community (polis) but can only be achieved after death with God (beatific vision)

Question 7

Section 1: AO2 for
(Telos)

Answer 7

Why would God create humans with the propensity for practical wisdom (phronesis) and reason if did not intend for humans to reach Eudaimonia and the Beatific vision

Question 8

Section 1: AO2 against
(Telos)

Answer 8

1) Not every action ends in causing us to flourish as human beings. There’s good sex and bad sex (even if the end is babies; sex can be exploitative, or violent or selfish)
-NML not helpful as bases teachings off of a higher good all humans are working towards when there is no moral good and humans are just intrinsically selfish

2) Cyclical argument: what is the good? The good is what people pursue. What do people pursue? People pursue the good.
- Does not fully explain what good is and how to achieve it only that good is something that we are all pursuing. Not helpful as people don’t know what the good is so how can they apply it to moral dilemmas

Question 9

Section 1: AO2 conclusion
(Telos)

Answer 9

Weaknesses overcome the strengths. Although the idea of humans having practical wisdom and reason points to some higher power and purpose the idea of Eudaimonia and good is not fully explained. This is not helpful in moral judgement as if people don’t know what the good is how can they apply it to moral dilemmas and reach Eudaimonia?

Question 10

Section 2 theme

Answer 10

Ability to access Gods laws and apply it to human legal systems suggests that we are working towards a purpose aligned with Gods law

Question 11

Section 2: AO1

(Laws)

Answer 11

4 Tiers of Law: Eternal, Divine, Natural, Human

Question 12

Section 2: AO2 for

(Laws)

Answer 12

Romans “The Law is written on our hearts”
=We hold ourselves accountable for our actions and feel guilt as we know that this contradicts Gods eternal law
-Suggests that everything is working towards a higher purpose

Question 13

Section 2: AO2

(Laws)

Answer 13

1) Barth/ Nieblur humans “fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and born into sin. Always tempted to do evil “For I do not know why I do bad when I do good” so won’t be able to discern the good and Gods eternal law
-Suggests that if humans did have a purpose it would not be reflected in NML and our propensity to reason as humans are flawed

2) Undermines Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross

Question 14

Section 2: AO2 conclusion

(Laws)

Answer 14

NML recognises the sovereignty of God’s eternal law and this is strengthened by his law being seen universally within all human societies, which suggests that all humans are working towards a higher purpose. However, this suggests that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was unneeded and it is a contradiction if humans can interpret God’s eternal law for themselves and not need Jesus

Question 15

Section 3: theme

Answer 15

Primary Precepts / Synderesis = does this suggest humans are created with God’s values that point to a telos

Question 16

Section 3: AO1

(Primary precepts)

Answer 16

Main principle that humans tend to do good and avoid evil and this is where all the other rules flow
primary precepts from God: 1. preservation 2. reproduction 3. education 4. worship 5. Order
using the virtue of practical wisdom (phronesis) can apply the primary precepts to different situations.
Secondary Precepts = derived from the primary precepts through ‘proximate convulsions of reason’

Question 17

Section 3: AO2 for

(Primary precepts)

Answer 17

1) Universality of these ideas in different societies suggest that these conclusions are reflected in God’s sternal law, which we have accessed through reason

2) Nuremburg Trials
Prosecution had to rely on Natural Law theory as most of the actions of the defendants were recognized as being legal under the judicial system of the Third Reich

Question 18

Section 3: AO2 against

(Primary precepts)

Answer 18

1) Catholic Church condemns contraception as goes against the Primary precept of the Preservation of life and against the purpose( or telos) of the sexual facility
Does not allow people to be fully rational and decide what to do with their bodies. Seems unethical to take away human autonomy

2) Feminists: NML has reinforced gender roles and subjected women to male domination under the argument that nature predetermines gender roles (primary precept of Reproduction)
Idea of purpose has been used immorally throughout history. Some such as Marx would argue idea of purpose has only been used to reinforce gender

Question 19

Section 3: AO2 Conculsion

(Primary precepts)

Answer 19

Whilst in some situations such as the Nuremberg trials NML has been helpful = completely judicial approach without human reason could justify immoral acts i.e. mass genocide of the Jews and suggests that humans have been created with reason for a purpose. However NML not helpful as has also used to justify gender inequality and does not recognise how humans are inherently flawed and using reason to help with decision making will thus lead to immoral outcomes.