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AS Ethics > Natural Law > Flashcards

Natural Law Flashcards

1
Q

What is Natural Law based on the idea of?

A

That there is a natural order to the world

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2
Q

What does everything have according to Aristotle?

A

A natural purpose or telos

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3
Q

What is something if it fulfils its purpose according to Aristotle?

A

Good

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4
Q

What did Aristotle see human beings purpose to be?

A

Eudaimonia which is human flourishing

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5
Q

When do humans seem to find greatest fulfilment according to Aristotle?

A

Playing our role within scoeity

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6
Q

What is will a “good” man do according to Aristotle?

A

Pursue his telos and contribute to his social group, this will give hime the greatest satisfaction and it is his natural behaviour

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7
Q

Why was the rediscovery of Ancient Greek writings a challenge to Medieval cChristianity?

A

It was based on reason

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8
Q

What was the Bible to Medieval Christianity?

A

Absolute truth

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9
Q

What did Thomas Aquinas argue?

A

That properly applied reason would reach the same conclusions as the Bible, as both reason and the Bible were given to us by God

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10
Q

What did Aquinas use Aristotle’s ideas as?

A

The basis for his own reasoned argument

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11
Q

What are humans designed to do?

A

Reflect the image of God

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12
Q

What is our telos for Aquinas?

A

To pursue perfection i.e. reflect the image of God

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13
Q

What happens when we fulfil our purpose?

A

We feel fulfilled and flourish

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14
Q

As God designed our human nature, then to be “natural” is…

A

To be good

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15
Q

What did Aquinas conclude about human nature?

A

That there are Primary Precepts which seem to be an intrinsic part of our human nature

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16
Q

What are the Primary Precepts?

A

To worship, to learn, to reproduce, to preserve life and to live harmoniously

17
Q

What must we use to work out how best to fulfil these primary precepts?

A

Our God given reason, this reason is called synderesis

18
Q

By using synderesis what may you conclude about marriage?

A

It is good because it leads to reproduction and harmonious living

19
Q

What may you conclude interferes with the primary precepts?

A

Abortion, contraception, homosexuality as they all interfere with reproduction etc

20
Q

What are the conclusions from synderesis called?

A

Secondary precepts

21
Q

According to Aquinas it is natural to?

A

Avoid evil and pursue good

22
Q

What are mistakes the result of?

A

Wrongly applied reason

23
Q

If someone has used wrongly applied reason, what have they done?

A

Sinned

24
Q

According to Aquinas, sinners are not…

A

Evil, they have just fallen short of their intended purpose

25
Q

What happens sometimes when we try to fulfil a primary precept?

A

We break another primary precept

26
Q

What is breaking primary precepts unintentionally known us?

A

Double effect

27
Q

What is an example of double effect?

A

Performing a hysterectomy on a pregnant woman will save her life, but result in the death of the foetus. The original intention was to save life but abortion is an unfortunate by-product

28
Q

If you were to accidentally give a dying patient a lethal dose of a pain killing drug, what would Aquinas say?

A

The intention was to relieve pain but the outcome is that you failed to preserve his life. Aquinas would argue our good intention is more important than the unfortunate by-product

29
Q

What are some more liberal followers of Natural law?

A

Proportionalist

30
Q

What does proportionalism recognise?

A

It is always wrong to break a primary precept but sometimes it is necessary

31
Q

What would proportionalists argue about abortion as a result of rape?

A

Abortion is wrong as it goes against the precept to reproduce, but in the exceptional circumstance it is necessary

32
Q

What is the proportionalist argument?

A

A weak sanctity of life argument

33
Q

What is Natural law a part of?

A

A hierarchy of law

34
Q

What is the highest law?

A

The Eternal law, it is beyond human comprehension and these laws govern the universe

35
Q

What is the second highest law?

A

Divine law, this is written in the Bible and will confirm our right use of reason

36
Q

When can human/state law be ignored?

A

When it comes into conflict with God’s laws

37
Q

What is Natural law?

A

Deontological and teleological

38
Q

Why is is considered deontological?

A

Once we have used our reason to work out what is right, then it is our duty to fulfil our purpose

39
Q

Why is it considered teleological?

A

Our moral behaviour is also a means to an end as we are striving to reflect the image of God

AS Ethics (6 decks)

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