Natural Law Flashcards by Harriet Seaward

Eternal law

The principles by which God made and controls the universe and which are only fully known to God
(FIRST)

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Divine law

The law of God revealed in the bible, particularly in the Ten Commandments and the sermon on the mount
(SECOND)

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Natural law

The moral law of God within human nature that is discoverable through the use of reason
(THIRD)

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Human law

The laws of nations

FOURTH

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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)

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Deontological

Based on duty (regardless of consequence)

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Eudaemonia

Achieving union with God, a good life

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A postiori

After experience

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A priori

Before experience

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Essentialism

Something that makes us human that cannot be changed

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Telos

Purpose

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Phronesis

Aristotle’s practice wisdom learnt by experience

Through this we can grow in perfection and closeness to God

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Absolute

Legalistic, rule based approach

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Ratio

Reason as a result of being created in the image of God

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Conscientia

The process of forming moral judgements by application of knowledge

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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