Natural Law Flashcards
Which is the main philosopher associated with Natural Law and who did he influence?
Aristotle who wanted to understand the worlds telos influenced Aquinas
They both believed this telos was revealed through nature
What did they believe the goal of life was and how did they reach this conclusion?
Eudaemonia is our natural telos (purpose) which is shown through the natural world, Aquinas believed that God was the author of the natural world so he therefore created nature from which we get our purpose (God is everywhere and part of nature)
What’s aquinas extension of Aristotle?
He theorised god made designed the world perfectly so everything has a purpose and eudaemonia is reaching God (reuniting with him). This is humans natural telos to reach eudaemonia. He added a moral dimension to this by saying humans needed to follow Natural laws and precepts.
What different types of law are there?
Eternal (God will of how the universe should be), Devine (law revealed through scripture ie 10 Amendments which teaches us what our natural law is capable of), Natural (right reason in accordance to nature, in which we work our natural law by using right reasoning to ensure human flourishing) and Human law (our needs within society so we are free to flourish due to regulation, Aquinas argued that human law cannot dictate anything contrary to Natural law)
What did Aquinas believe humans need to follow to live their lives? What are they?
Following the five primary precepts to ensure self preservation (most important) to fulfil their responsibilities. This is because they in-line with out natural purpose. Worship God Ordered society Reproduce Learn Live
How are the primary precepts put into practice and give an example with reference to a secondary precept
Through the secondary precepts which take the primary precepts into everyday scenarios. They are deduced through right reason and form established guidance
ie the primary precept of reproduction, the human genitals purpose is to reproduce not for masturbation and condones homosexuality as it doesn’t produce new life glorifying God.
What are real and apparent goods?
Aquinas believed that acts could be split into two:the exterior and interior.
The exterior is the act itself and the interior is the intention of the act. These don’t take the consequences into account, humans always think they are following real goods however their right reasoning may be mistaken
What is the doctrine of the double effect?
It’s always wrong to do a bad act even if it has good consequences. However it’s sometimes right to do a good act even if the consequences are bad. As long as your intention is good your not responsible for any consequences. This is due to the catholic belief in the sanctity of life ie abortion, it’s better to allow the baby to live and then die than abort it whilst in the mothers tummy because Gods created a life and you don’t have the ability to take it away.
What type of theory is natural law?
Teleological
Moral absolutism due to the emphasis on the primary precepts and deontological as the fundamental principles are not based upon consequences.
What are the primary precepts?
Self-evident truths established by God not the result of reason. They are relevant for all and applied through reason.
Criticisms of natural law
Too subjective and assumes certain things are always right which is inflexible.
It doesn’t take into account delicate situations and is too morally absolute.
Out of date by assuming the universe has a purpose
GE Moore Naturalist fallacy
JS Mills belief that nature kills ie natural disasters and the food chain, how can this be a guide to moral goodness
Cultural relativism
Catholic belief in the fall=no free will so why have right reasoning
How does Aristotle argue natural law can apply to anyone?
As you don’t need religion, class, church or order to understand natural law and as its intrinsically in us. Our reason shows us the basic goods and reason allows us to derive the natural law from there.
How can you accidentally pursue the wrong good?
An adulterer believes they are following the real good of pleasure however they are not and instead need to go back to their partner to create an ordered society and reproduce
What is the ‘key precept’?
‘Do good and avoid evil’ by using right reasoning in accordance to nature
How does the Catholic Church interpret natural law?
As ridged rules rather than principles
