Natural Law Flashcards
Eternal law
The principles by which God made and controls the universe and which are only fully known to God
(FIRST)
Divine law
The law of God revealed in the bible, particularly in the Ten Commandments and the sermon on the mount
(SECOND)
Natural law
The moral law of God within human nature that is discoverable through the use of reason
(THIRD)
Human law
The laws of nations
FOURTH
The precepts
> key precepts (do good, and avoid evil)
primary precepts (5 examples: Worship, Order, Reproduce, Learn, Don’t kill)
secondary precepts (application of primary precepts)
Deontological
Based on duty (regardless of consequence)
Eudaemonia
Achieving union with God, a good life
A postiori
After experience
A priori
Before experience
Essentialism
Something that makes us human that cannot be changed
Telos
Purpose
Phronesis
Aristotle’s practice wisdom learnt by experience
Through this we can grow in perfection and closeness to God
Absolute
Legalistic, rule based approach
Ratio
Reason as a result of being created in the image of God
Conscientia
The process of forming moral judgements by application of knowledge
Synderisis
Do good and avoid evil
Efficient cause
Something coming into existence
Final cause
Telos of an object
Real and apparent good
Apparent is perceived as good but fundamentally wrong, real good is just good
Interior and exterior acts
It matters what your intention is, good interior but bad exterior
Doctorin of the double effect
Sometimes you must commit a good act with a bad consequence
Summa theologica
Work of Aquinas
Aquinas
> properly applied reason would reach some conclusion as the bible
we will pursue perfection in heaven and achieve eudaemonia
Proportionalist
Some actions are wrong but necessary
Sin
Reason is lacking, we don’t properly apply natural law and fall short of our intended purpose
Is natural law a helpful method of moral decision making (YES)
> the primary precepts are not particularly controversial, they are goods valued by societies
it is an absolutist theory meaning that there is clarity to judgement
it is also flexible in terms of secondary precept application
it leads to a belief in certain rights that exist regardless if context
it affirms the importance of reason
Is natural law a helpful method of moral deliciousness making (NO)
> basic good s vary across society’s, seen in applying secondary precepts
it can be too legalistic, particularly when there are negative consequences
it commits the naturalistic fallacy of observing what happens in the world and assuming that this is what must happen
tension between the clarity of the primary precepts and flexibility of the secondary precepts
Natural law strengths
> our telos is to reflect God’s image
we can work things out by using reason
it upholds the sanctity of life and so respect others
it is proportional so recognises exemptions to rules
Natural law weaknesses
> presupposes our human nature
presupposes a good designer who has our best interest at heart
porporationalism isn’t open to interpretation
G.E.Moore view
Natural law commits a naturalistic fallacy (mistake of defining moral terms with reference to non-moral or natural terms)
P.Singer view
Belief in the sanctity of life can cause individual suffering
Sartre view
Having a telos is only with God, believes that we come into existence first and then we decide our essence. We have a tendency to deny freedom
Summa Theological quote
‘The first precept of law, that “good is to be done and pursued, and evil is to be avoided”
Jesus quotes
‘Love your neighbour’
‘Love for all’
Parable of the Good Samaritan
St Paul verse
1 Corinthians 13 ‘and now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love’
Our telos: Aquinas and Aristotle
Aquinas - as humans are main moral rule is to do good and avoid evil. Our telos is also to follow natural law as we are made in God’s image
Aristotle -found in rational thought, in exercising our reason we are flourishing and achieving telos
What are the primary precepts
They are absolute and universal statements about what is good for humans
