Key words- NL do good and avoid evil

Question 1

Deontological

Answer 1

Based on following rules or doing ones duty. Suggests that acts are right or wrong

Question 2

Absolutist

Answer 2

A command that is true for all time, in all places and in all situations. Suggests acts are right or wrong

Question 3

Legalistic

Answer 3

The idea that one must obey religious laws or rules in order to gain eternal life

Question 4

Reason

Answer 4

A gift given by God when he made human beings in His image, which enables human beings to identify their created purpose and follow it.

Question 5

Recta Ratio

Answer 5

‘Right Reason’. refers to our conscience making right decisions in accordance with natural law

Question 6

Telos

Answer 6

Greek word meaning goal or purpose ie that to everything aims, or the highest good which is sought. Aquinas this is eternal law with God in heaven

Question 7

Teleological

Answer 7

From the greek meaning of purpose aims towards intended purpose

Question 8

Natural law theory

Answer 8

Ethical theory based on the final cause or purpose, which determines everything nature or goal; a body of universal moral truths deduced from reason and experience; a view associated with Aristole and developed by Aquinas

Question 9

Thomas Aquinas

Answer 9

A Dominican priest, commonly regarded as the most influential phioopsher and theologian of the Roman Catholic Church. developed the ethical theory known as natural law and natural moral law ( Thomist thought)

Question 10

Beatific vision

Answer 10

Aquinas’ ter for the ultimate telos of human beings- eternal life with god in heaven.

Question 11

Summa theological

Answer 11

The name of Aquinas text which he wrote about natural law

Question 12

Synderesis rule

Answer 12

‘Do good and avoid evil’. Basically sums up the whole of Aquinas’ natural law theory in 5 words

Question 13

Cardinal rules

Answer 13

4 rules, indetified by reason; prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude. ‘Cardo’ means hinge in latin. believed to be the the fundamental basis of a moral life and used by both aquinas and Aristotle

Question 14

Revealed virtues

Answer 14

faith hope and charity, revealed or disclosed through scripture in 1 corinthians 13). can’t be obtainedd by human effort. A person can only receive them through divine grace into the person. also called theological virtues because they are directed by god

Question 15

Interior acts

Answer 15

Our atention- what our aims is when we perform an action

Question 16

exterior acts

Answer 16

The act itself- the physical behaviour that we perform

Question 17

Real goods

Answer 17

An action that will help achieve their purpose of fellowship with god, helping others

Question 18

Apparent goods

Answer 18

A sin, an action that may seem good if we lack virtue and have reasoned wrongly. These mistakes will lead people away from their purpose of fellowship with god

Question 19

Double effect

Answer 19

Two effects. An aspect of natural law that allows us to judge intentions over actions. Eg. removal of foetus in an ectopic pregnancy to save the mothers life. otherwise both would die

Primary precepts- can have good primary precepts but can lead to unintended secondary ones

Question 20

Primary precepts

Answer 20

Rules that are revealed to us by God

Question 21

What are the secondary precepts?

Answer 21

HUmans then need to use their gift of reason (their conscience fro God) to establish rules that will fulfil the primary precepts. For example; do not murder

Question 22

Advantages of natural law

Answer 22

Rules for everyone

Question 23

What are the strengths of natural law?

Answer 23

Can eb followed by atheists- dawkins. Aquinas “pattern of life according to reason” Can be atheist due to empirical observation. Dawkins suggests an altruistic tendency; lust to be nice

Question 24

What is EUDAIMONIA?

Answer 24

Natural Law has a purpose: a flourishing society and a person fulfilled and happy - EUDAIMONIA.

Question 25

How does natural aw help us achieve our telos?

Answer 25

Ultimely helps us restrict our rules but sets us free to fulfil our potential and to present our growth

Question 26

Is natural law flexible?

Answer 26

Aquinas said it’s not inflexible due to the secondary precepts being used to avoid moral dilemmas- doctrine of double effect

Question 27

What did Karl Barth say about natural law?

Answer 27

Relies too much upon reason- human reason is too corrupt and not enough on the grace of god and revelation

Question 28

What are the difference between aquinas and the magisterium belief on secondary precepts?

Answer 28

For aquinas there relative in terms of their future and the magersitirum says they are absolute

Question 29

How can darwinism be used as a way to critique natural law?

Answer 29

Aquinas say we all have one set nature but thats not true, as we all have different natures

Question 30

what did Ronald present say about casuistry?

Answer 30

We need it to be applied to a case

“christian ethics would be an exercise in ignorance without it”

Question 31

why is using human reasoning important for aquinas?

Answer 31

Using the ability to reason was a key element of human existence, by applying reason to moral problems we act comsitntly with natural law as they are in line with our true human nature and purpose- reflect closely as we can to god but perfection not possible on earth. God is the source of the human natural Law which is rooted in the human mind. we ate made In gods image

Question 32

what is finnis natural law?

Answer 32

he steps outside natural law approach or religious and focuses on aristotle and the la of reasoning rather than revelation of aquinas

Question 33

how does finnis go further than aquinas?

Answer 33

he argued that it’s not using jsut reasoning but to ensure a person lives a worthwhile life and to flourish establishing what is good for human kind- should be universal

Question 34

what is the contrast between aristotle’s and aquinas approach?

Answer 34

aquinas is a theological approach what is revealed to us by god using reason- from above
aristotle’s is a philosophical approach using empirical evidence and the senses to flourish- from below accesible to everyone

Question 35

what does finnis do with his basic goods?

Answer 35

rejects aquinas way that god created a purpose for us and made it more self evident for people outside religious circles

Question 36

how can finnis be used today?

Answer 36

through practical reasoning our culture shapes them to be more modernised

Question 37

what are the advantages of natural law?

Answer 37

it is easy to understand, aquinas derived virtues and primary precepts for us to realise our telos and act upon it busing deontológicas means
universal and absolute in prinary
makes god reason accesible to us as we share the same rationality with god

Question 38

what are the disadvantages of natural law?

Answer 38

can’t be used outside theistic traditions
kai nelson- no basic human nature present ourside all cultures different secular society
moore- can’t define good
too simplistic