Natural Law

Question 1

What is the telos and what did Aquinas say we had to use to discover it?

Answer 1

Telos is the Greek word for end/purpose.
It reflects human nature.
When we reach it, we will be at union with God.
We must use reason to discover it.

Question 2

How does Aquinas adapt Aristotle’s theory of telos?

Answer 2

Aristotle said our telos is reaching eudaimonia.

Eudaimonia is human happiness.

Question 3

What are the four tiers of law?

Answer 3

Eternal Law - The law only God knows.
Divine Law - The Bible.
Natural Law - God’s will that can be worked out, even if someone is not religious.
Human Law - Laws humans follow e.g. the government.

Question 4

What is the Synderesis rule?

Answer 4

‘Do good and avoid evil’.
This is the overriding principle/concept.
It is part of our human nature.

Question 5

What are real and apparent goods?

Answer 5

Real goods - the right thing to do and fits human ideal.

Apparent goods - seems like the right thing to do, but isn’t and doesn’t fit human ideal.

Question 6

What are the primary precepts?

Answer 6

Preserve life.
Reproduce.
Live in an ordered society.
Worship God.
Learn and educate the young.

Question 7

What are the secondary precepts?

Answer 7

Rules that follow on from the primary precepts.
E.g. getting an abortion would go against reproduction and preservation of life.
We use our reason to work these out (Phronesis)

Question 8

What is the doctrine of double effect?

Answer 8

An act has two effects/outcomes, one good and one bad.
Someone must have the intention of carrying out a good effect.
The unintended effect must be proportionate.