Natural Law

Question 1

Synderesis

Answer 1

To follow good and avoid evil - key precept.

Question 2

Primary Precepts

Answer 2

Preservation of innocent life
Ordered society
Worship of God
Education of children
Reproduction

Question 3

Tiers of law

Answer 3

Eternal law – God’s mind and omnibenevolent plan for the universe – this is beyond our understanding.
Divine law – the bible
Natural law – the orientation towards the good built into our nature by God
Human law – the laws we make (which should follow the natural & divine law).

Question 4

What is Aquinas book called?

Answer 4

Summa Theologica

Question 5

Who was Aquinas inspired by?

Answer 5

By Aristotle and his ideas of telos. We were given reason in order to achieve our final telos which is to get closer to God.

Question 6

Summa Theologica quote

Answer 6

There is a moral code to which we naturally incline (which is synderesis)

Question 7

Telos of humans

Answer 7

To achieve synderesis by following the primary precepts

Question 8

What are secondary precepts?

Answer 8

These are rules that we get when we have applied the primary precepts, such as do not have an abortion, from preservation of life.

Question 9

Doctrine of double effect

Answer 9

Double effect. Some actions have two effects – one bad one good.
E.g. killing someone in self-defence – one effect is killing someone, but the other effect is saving your life.
It is morally acceptable so long as you intended to bring about the good effect and the bad effect was beside your intention.
THE BAD EFFECT MUST NOT BE AN INTRINSIC EVIL.

Question 10

Does the doctrine of double effect justify actions such as killing in self-defense?

Answer 10

Distinguishes between