Natural Law

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

Natural Law is a theory that proposes that human beings possess intrinsic values that govern their reasoning and behaviour
*Deontological
*Absolutist
*Universal
Aquinas Summa Theologica – used by Roman Catholic Church

Question 2

Aristotle influences

Answer 2

Telos – All intrinsically good as we’re all working towards a telos
Aquinas followed the Aristotelean theory and the teachings of the Stoics that goodness is linked to the fulfillment of telos (the final purpose that all things contingent are working towards). Fulfilling the human telos achieves eudaimonia (flourishing); for humans, that is a life of reason with virtue. Aquinas developed this and believed that eudaimonia can be achieved in community (polis) but can only be achieved after death with God (beatific vision)

Question 3

Aristotle influences advantages

Answer 3

Emphasis of Eudaimonia on polis creates community-orientated approach towards ethics rather than a self-centred approach
Empiricism – purpose clearly observed i.e. within ecosystems all organisms have a unique niche which allows an ecosystem to function

Question 4

Aristotle influences disadvantages

Answer 4

Dawkins – design and purpose evidence of natural selection supported by niches as one species would out-compete the other
Purpose not verified

Question 5

Aristotle influences counter

Answer 5

Popper - impossible to verify everything

Question 6

Aristotle influences counter disprove

Answer 6

Ockam’s razor no need for a telos
Modern science – deterministic view of universe that operates by the laws of physics rules out a purpose as purpose of an object can be reduced to non-teleological concepts i.e. material structure

Question 7

4 tiers of Law

Answer 7

4 Tiers of Law: Eternal, Divine, Natural, Human

Question 8

4 tiers of Law advantages

Answer 8

Clear and absolute – offers consistency in a world which some think has become relativist and has lots its sense of moral direction

Has a moral standard of right/wrong intrinsic to us which disproves Ayer who demotes right and wrong to a particular emotional association we have with an act

Question 9

4 tiers of Law disadvantages

Answer 9

Too reliant on a God which is not helpful to the non-believer and if there is not a God then the whole theory does not work as there would not be an eternal law inside each human which guides them towards Eudaimonia
Augustine and the fall – Aquinas too optimistic that we can discern Gods eternal law as we are tempted away towards concupiscence and our selfish desires

Question 10

Synderesis principle

Answer 10

Main principle that humans tend to do good and avoid evil and this is where all the other rules flow
primary precepts from God: 1. preservation 2. reproduction 3. education 4. worship 5. Order
Secondary Precepts = derived from the primary precepts through ‘proximate convulsions of reason’

Question 11

Synderesis principle advantages

Answer 11

Flexible – as although primary precepts are unchanging secondary precepts can change dependent on world view

Question 12

Synderesis principle disadvantages

Answer 12

Primary precepts have an over reliance on God which makes it potentially perceived asexclusive. E.g. we have to follow our “God given purpose” however, someone
that wasn’t religious e.g. Richard Dawkins and didn’t think we had a purpose
would ultimately be excluded from this.

Question 13

Synderesis principle counter

Answer 13

Autonomous and rational and does not need God to make sense of it “the pattern of life lived according to reason”. could be a Darwinian atheist and believe in natural law derived by empirical observation, with the primary precept of survival (Aquinas’ preservation of life)

Question 14

Synderesis principle counter disprove

Answer 14

Immoral outcomes as could be interpreted to ban contraception as it interferes with primary precept of reproduction – not clear that sex is exclusively for reproduction – this policy has led to the spread of AIDS in Africa

Question 15

The Doctrine of Double effect

Answer 15

Interior acts (motivation) exterior acts (what is visible) – the best way to act is when both of these acts are good. This can help when discussing whether self-defense is permissible.

Question 16

The Doctrine of Double effect advantages

Answer 16

Escapes the trappings of a deontological theory only interested in the actions as seen
double effect rule can distinguish between the intentions and actions that take place as a good intention for Aquinas is what matters more

Question 17

The Doctrine of Double effect disadvantages

Answer 17

The road to hell is paved with good intentions’ so maybe our
good intentions are leading us astray, so therefore not actually justifying any of our actions.

Some ambiguity with this argument because we can never truly know someone’s full intentions, which makes =moral decision making or judgement really difficult. - Perhaps the idea of the doctrine of double effect highlights a flaw in the system as a deontological morality is only really concerned with the actions as they can be observed.