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
What do the four tiers of law come from
The universe has a god given order, within this god has built a moral law which can be broken down into four tiers
What are the four tiers of law
Eternal law
Divine law
Natural law
Human law
What is eternal law
Laws that are known in the mind of god, we are unable to know these so he gives us divine law and natural law
What is divine law
Laws known through revelation e.g 10 commandments
What is natural law
Laws known through our god given reason as we do what will best achieve eudaimonia
What is the relationship between divine law and natural law
Divine law confirms natural law
What is human law
Laws that come from governments and societies
They are only valid if they don’t contradict natural law
What is the doctrine of double effect
Something good can also produce a bad side effect, but as long as you intend the good effect, you are not held responsible for the bad secondary effect
How can actions be broken down
Into the interior act (the motive behind the action) and the exterior act (the act itself)
For an action to be moral, both the interior and exterior act have to be good
Example of doctrine of double effect: abortion
If a womans life is in danger during pregnancy, an abortion is moral
Interior act: save mother’s life
Exterior act: operation
Secondary bad effect: end life of foetus
Example of doctrine of double effect: euthanasia
Interior act: relieve pain
Exterior act: doctor administers large dose of morphine to patient
Secondary bad effect: end life of patient
