Natural Law Flashcards
Who was aquinas
13th century Christian philosopher and theologian
Wrote summa theologica which contains his natural law theory
Who was Aquinas inspired by
Aristotle
What did Aristotle believe about eudaimonia
All things and actions have a telos
Human beings actions have the ultimate telos of eudaimonia
This leads to true happiness
What is eudaimonia
Human flourishing
- long term development of the individual and their abilities
How are Aquinas views of eudaimonia different to Aristotle’s
He believed eudaimonia leads to true happiness, but this true happiness can only be found in heaven
How did Aristotle and Aquinas’ views on what a good person is vary
Aristotle believed a good person is someone who achieves eudaimonia
Aquinas’ believed a good person is someone who goes to heaven
What does natural law believe good is synonymous with
Purpose
What is synderisis
Our god given natural inclination towards doing good
How does Aquinas justify people doing bad things even though there is synderisis
They have misapplied their reason
What is real good
An action which is actually good and consistent with the moral principles of natural law
What is apparent good
An action which someone mistakenly thinks is a real good
Where do the 5 primary precepts come from
Reason, as we follow our natural inclination to do good and avoid evil
What are the 5 primary precepts
Preserve life
Contribute to an ordered society
Worship god
Educate, particularly of the young
Reproduce
What are the secondary precepts
Specific rules deduced from applying the primary precepts
How do Aquinas and the catholic church have different views on secondary precepts
Aquinas’ argues they are possible applications rather than rules
Catholic church argues they are fixed rules
