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Ethics > Natural Law > Flashcards

Natural Law Flashcards

1
Q

Is natural law a deontological or teleological theory?

A

Deontological theory

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2
Q

What is a deontological theory?

A

A theory focuses on doing the right action rather than the outcome (end doesn’t justify the means).

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3
Q

What did Aquinas say we must do?

A

Use our reason to work out how to always do good and avoid evil.

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4
Q

What is our ultimate purpose?

A

Union with God.

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5
Q

How can we achieve union with God?

A

By following the synderesis rule and the five primary precepts.

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6
Q

What are the four tiers of the law?

A
  • Eternal law (mind of God).
  • Divine law (law of God).
  • Natural law.
  • Human law.
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7
Q

What is eternal law?

A

The mind of God- humans cannot fully know the eternal law but can get a glimpse occasionally, e.g. through science.

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8
Q

What is divine law?

A

The law of God revealed to people through the Bible and teachings of the Church.

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9
Q

What is natural law?

A

A natural sense ‘that good is to be done and evil avoided’. It directs our conscience and if applied with reason, it will lead us to the right outcome.

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10
Q

What is human law?

A

Everyday rules that govern our lives, e.g. legal system, ‘Get off the grass’ signs, etc.

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11
Q

Why does natural law exist?

A

To assist humans to direct their actions in such a way that they may reach their eternal destiny with God.

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12
Q

What did Aquinas believe about human nature?

A

That human nature is essentially good as natural law is within everyone.

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13
Q

What did Aquinas set out to help us follow the synderesis rule?

A

The five primary precepts which guide our behaviour and help to ensure eternal destiny with God.

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14
Q

What is one problem with putting the primary precepts into practice? Give an example.

A

The secondary precepts may go against natural law. E.g. if somebody thought that following the reproduction precept was important, this does not mean that they should pursue lots of unprotected sex.

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15
Q

What are the five primary precepts?

A

Preservation of life, reproduction, live in society, education of the young, worship God.

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16
Q

When do we perform secondary precepts?

A

When we put primary precepts into practice.

17
Q

What are two examples of secondary precepts from preservation of life?

A
  • Do not murder.

- Do not commit suicide.

18
Q

What are two examples of secondary precepts from reproduction?

A
  • Do not use contraception.

- Have marital sex.

19
Q

What is an interior act?

A

The motivation/intention.

20
Q

What is an exterior act?

A

The visible act (what it looks like).

21
Q

What is the example used to show interior and exterior acts?

A

To help an old lady across the road (good exterior act) to impress someone, like your friend for instance (bad interior act) is wrong. Instead, it should be an act of charity.

22
Q

How can you perform a good exterior act but a bad interior act?

A

By acting in a good way for the wrong reason.

23
Q

What did Aquinas introduce when discussing whether self-defence is permissible?

A

A principle of double effect.

24
Q

What are the two effects that an action may have?

A

If it is good (e.g. protecting life) and if the intention in self-defence is to achieve this aim, then self-defence is permissible.

25
Q

The force used should be…

A

Proportionate

26
Q

For Aquinas’ theory of double effect…

A

The action itself cannot be bad but good or neutral (saving a life is good). The motive should be focused on the good effect (hoping to save a life).

27
Q

Give an example to demonstrate the principle of double effect.

A

If an armed man attacks a random stranger, the people around him should aim to save the stranger’s life by disarming the man, not killing the armed man.

28
Q

What is an apparent good?

A

A tempting good which is not really good. An error of reason.

29
Q

What is a real good?

A

Something truly good for us.

30
Q

What do we use to distinguish between real and apparent goods?

A

We use our reason to distinguish between apparent goods which tempt us and real goods that we should pursue.

31
Q

What is an example of an apparent good?

A

I’m tempted to play a video game, instead of going to work so that I can provide for my family.
Video game = apparent good.
Work = real good

32
Q

What does natural law offer and provide? (3)

A
  • Natural law offers a legalistic way of working out what is morally right.
  • It provides moral rules which can be applied to different situations, circumstances, etc.
  • It offers clarity and consistency to the world.
33
Q

What was Thomas Hobbes’ view?

A

Thomas Hobbes saw human nature as dangerous and murderous.

34
Q

What are three strengths of natural law?

A
  • Because it can be seen as absolutist, natural law provides a firm moral foundation to rules with clear guidance.
  • Natural law is flexible enough to accommodate different cultures because the secondary precepts are reasoned by society.
  • It offers a universal moral code because most people believe in preserving life, building a good society and educating the young.
35
Q

What are four weaknesses of natural law?

A
  • Whilst rules are clear to follow, there is little flexibility for individual situations.
  • Aquinas’ natural law assumes a belief in God.
  • Aquinas assumes that we all use our reason for the power of God.
  • Aquinas assumes that reason can be relied upon to help us come to the right decisions.
36
Q

How can the view that humans have a natural urge towards goodness be challenged?

A

Perhaps we have a natural urge towards self-preservation, or simply we may have an urge to pursue our own pleasure.

37
Q

What is the ancient Greek word for the happiness that is the end goal in Aquinas’ theory?

A

Eudaimonia

Ethics (6 decks)

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