NATURAL LAW

Question 1

Who created the theory of Natural Law?

Answer 1

St Thomas Aquinas.

Question 2

What is the definition of telos?

Answer 2

An end, purpose or goal.

Question 3

What is Natural Law based on?

Answer 3

Aristotle’s idea that everything has a purpose, revealed in its design and that the fulfilment of telos is the supreme good.

Question 4

What did Aristotle believe our purpose in life was?

Answer 4

To seek happiness, eudaemonia.

Question 5

For Aristotle, what is the ‘inner principle’ of human nature?

Answer 5

Reason.

Question 6

What are the four tiers of the Law?

Answer 6

1) Eternal Law
2) Divine Law
3) Natural Law
4) Human Law

Question 7

What is eternal law?

Answer 7

The principles by which God made and controls the universe and which are only fully known to God.

Question 8

What is divine law?

Answer 8

The law of God revealed in the Bible. The Bible is the word of God.

Question 9

What is natural law?

Answer 9

The moral law of God which has been built into human nature and that is discoverable through the use of reason.

Question 10

What is human law?

Answer 10

The laws of nations - laws formulated by humans - practical laws.

Question 11

What does St Paul write that natural law is?

Answer 11

The “law written on our hearts.”

Question 12

What is the synderesis rule?

Answer 12

“Follow the good, avoid the evil.”

Question 13

What are the five primary precepts?

Answer 13

Preservation of life
Reproduction
Live in an Ordered society
Worship God
Learn - educate the youth

Question 14

What are the secondary precepts?

Answer 14

These derive from the primary precepts and direct our actions. Primary precepts are always right but secondary are dependent on our own judgements.

Question 15

What is an “apparent good”?

Answer 15

Something we think is good but we have got it wrong.

Question 16

What is a “real good”?

Answer 16

We need to use reason correctly and to choose the right thing to do.

Question 17

What is an interior act?

Answer 17

The intention.

Question 18

What is an exterior act?

Answer 18

The exterior.

Question 19

What does Aquinas say about interior and exterior acts?

Answer 19

He says that both are important and need to be correct if we are to act in accordance with our true nature.

Question 20

What does the doctrine of double effect state?

Answer 20

That it is always wrong to do a bad act intentionally in order to bring about good consequences.

Question 21

What effects does the doctrine of double effect allow?

Answer 21

Unintended side effects.

Question 22

Give an example of a situation where the doctrine of double effect would apply.

Answer 22

Ectopic pregnancy.

Question 23

Issue: Whether or not the universe as a whole is designed with a telos.

Answer 23

Natural Law suggests that everything that has been created has fixed, unchanging ends, and that the universe has been designed and planned by God.

Question 24

What does Dawkins state about the universe being designed with a telos?

Answer 24

Dawkins: “ design occurs through a process of step by step evolution guided by non-random survival”

Question 25

Can the doctrine of double effect can be used to justify an action, such as killing someone as an act of self-defence? (one reason for)

Answer 25

We may doubt a person’s motives, but we cannot know them. For Aquinas for an act to be good, the interior act – the intention – must be good.

Question 26

Can the doctrine of double effect can be used to justify an action, such as killing someone as an act of self-defence? (one reason against).

Answer 26

Deontologists who focus on acts cannot accept that an act to save a life involves taking a life – there cannot be only one intention.

Question 27

What did Aquinas write about natural law thinkers living in accordance with human nature?

Answer 27

“Now a certain order is to be found in those things that are apprehended universally.”

Question 28

Which other two theologians developed theories of Natural Law?

Answer 28

• Grotius

- Pufendorf

Question 29

What did Pufendorf suggest about human vulnerability?

Answer 29

We are vulnerable by ourselves but we live in communities and societies in order to survive.

Question 30

What did Aristotle state about Natural Law being ‘given’?

Answer 30

“The natural is that which everywhere is equally valid, and depends not upon being or not being received…”

Question 31

Which two teachings of Aristotle did Aquinas develop?

Answer 31

• Eudaimonia

- Prime Mover: Aquinas saw as God.

Question 32

What did Aquinas state in Summa Theologica about the ultimate end?

Answer 32

“Ultimate and perfect beatitude can consist only in the vision of the divine essence, which is at the very essence of goodness.”

Question 33

How does Aquinas think about morality?

Answer 33

In terms of law. He says law is ‘a certain rule and measure of acts whereby man is induced to act or is restrained from acting.’

Question 34

What does Aquinas state about the syneresis law and going against reason?

Answer 34

“To scorn the dictate of reason is to scorn the commandment of God.”

Question 35

What does Aquinas state that all human beings have in relation to the precepts?

Answer 35

‘There is first of all an inclination to good.’ This is because ‘every substance seeks the preservation of its own being.’

Question 36

What problem does apparent and real goods solve?

Answer 36

As Aquinas believed that the nature of every being was basically good, how can we explain evil?

Question 37

How does Aquinas explain his argument that evil is not desirable?

Answer 37

‘No evil can be desirable, either by natural appetite or by conscious will.’

Question 38

What happens when humans have a habit of sinful unnatural activity?

Answer 38

Can develop and overwhelm.

Question 39

Why did Aquinas develop the doctrine of double effect?

Answer 39

In discussing whether self-defence is permissible.

Question 40

What does Aquinas state in Summa Theologica about self-defence?

Answer 40

“This act, since one’s intention is to save one’s life, is not unlawful.”