Natural Law

Question 0

Primary precepts

Answer 0

Ordered Society
Reproduction
Worship God
Preservation of life
Education

Question 1

Based on what perception

Answer 1

God created humanity with five purposes

Question 2

Secondary precepts

Answer 2

Rules to uphold primary precepts

Question 3

Cardinal virtues

Answer 3

Fortitude
Justice
Temperance
Prudence

Question 4

Revealed virtues

Answer 4

Faith
Hope
Charity

Question 5

True and apparent good

Answer 5

Easy

Question 6

Common and ideal nature

Answer 6

Easy

Question 7

Efficient and final cause

Answer 7

Easy

Question 8

Superior and subordinate aims

Answer 8

Easy

Question 9

Moral life quote

Answer 9

“The moral life is the life lived according to reason”

Question 10

Sin is.. (quote)

Answer 10

“contrary to reason”

Question 11

Strengths and weaknesses

Answer 11

Absolute/deontological (Bowie) “It enables people to establish common rules”
Human reason, no prediction “The issue of right and wrong remains fixed”
Focus on intentions is good
Common human nature, we can all do it (“natural inclinations”)

Fails to consider “real effects” -consequences or circumstances
Not everyone is rational
Based on God’s will (his divine law and perception of his creation of purpose) - Atheists.. following it “ultimately makes no sense”
Common human nature? Really (biodiversity - different cultures e.g. amazon tribes)

Question 12

Provides an adequate basis for making moral decisions

Answer 12

Prescribes laws which derive from god and are unchanging and eternal
Clear-cut laws ‘clear unambiguous answers”
Supported by religious texts “go forth and multiply”
Moral approach by Catholic church for over 700 years “pointed to nature and reason as the true sources of law”

Gone out of fashion. Scientists say the world has no room got facts - Their explanations of natural phenomena make no references to purposes
Fails go consider individual situation/circumstances
Doesn’t consider multiple purposes (sex for pleasure)
The argument “loses its foundation” without the omnipotent creator idea (secular society)

Question 13

Promotes injustice/morally wrong behaviour

Answer 13

Aquinas derived an “ought” from an “is” - Sex (multiple purpose thing)
Circumstances/individual
Reason may not be fully developed
No consequence approach (divorce is wrong as it breaks ordered society - divorce may be the better option)

Clear cut “common rules”
Primary precepts are similar to basic human rights (e.g. Nazi war criminals were trialled through an ideology of “universal moral rules” similar to natural law)
Can’t predict consequences - Reason can be used religious or not

Question 14

Can’t work in society

Answer 14

“argument loses its foundation” with atheist - secular society
Out of fashion point
Individual/consequences/circumstances
No choice, other theories give sense of “moral autonomy”

700 years Catholic
Clear cut
Can’t be out of date - Eternal law of God
Human rights/ Nazi war criminals

Question 15

Incompatible with religion

Answer 15

Jesus’s teachings appear to contradict primary precepts (preservation of life - turn the other cheek)
Jesus opposes legalism (healing on the sabbath)
Reason > Revelation? (Moses burning bush)
Based on reason, not on love “love one another”

By fulfilling natural law, you’re fulfilling God’s will - “go forth and multiply”
Absolute (ten commandments)
Gives emphasis on God-given purpose (he gave us it - use it)
700 years Roman Catholic