John Finnis Natural Law Flashcards

1
Q

who was John Finnis

A

Roman catholic who was a professor of law at Oxford from 1989

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what did Finns accept about Aquinas’ natural law

A
  • idea of natural justice applicable to all humanity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what is the purpose of Aquinas’ natural law and what did Finnis think it should be

A

Aquinas - have good relationship w God and gain eternal life in heaven

Finnis - ensure a person is able to live a worthwhile life and to flourish through pursuing what is really good for human kind
(similar to Aristotle’s idea of eudaimonia but compatible with christian moral thinking, but can also be used by anyone)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what did Finnis say the problem with Aquinas’ natural law was

A
  • too rigid, unnecessarily legalistic and allowed little autonomy ( being able to make own decisions)

-HUMES IS/OUGHT CHALLENGE - you cannot derive values directly from observed facts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what did Finnis look at to create his natural law

A

universal values which are necessary for humans to lead worthwhile lives instead of lookig at observed facts about human nature.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what did Finnis use instead of primary precepts

A

seven basic goods

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what do the seven basic goods show

A

what humans need to flourish

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what is a good action

A

one that involves one or more of the seven basic goods

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

why does finnis say the teh seven basic goods are self evident

A

they are based on practical reasoning rather than theoretical reasoning about what is best in life

cannot be reduced to a more basic value

we presuppose them in everything we do

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what are the 7 different basic goods

A

1)LIFE (healthy lifestyle)
2)KNOWLEDGE
3)FRIENDSHIP + SOCIABILITY
4)PLAY ( having fun )
5)AESTHETIC EXPERIENCE (entertainment e.g. TV)
6)PRACTICAL REASONABLENESS (working out what to do and actually doing it)
7)RELIGION (can be spirituality and any religion) - may not be necessary for all but for religious ppl it will be part of their flourishing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what are not basic goods and why

A

FREEDOM + EQUALITY - a way of achieving basic goods not acc a basic good

PURSUIT OF PLEASURE + MATERIAL GAIN - motivated by human desire not practical reason

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what basic good did finnis introduce later

A

marriage - however controversial but based on his RC background

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

why are the basic goods universal

A

can be used by anyone and foundation to all ethical actions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what does finnis say about denying the basic goods

A

it would be ‘straightforwardly unreasonable’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what kind of theory is finnis’ natural law and why (-ological)

A

deontological + teleological because the basic goods are both the motivation and the goal of any action

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly