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Ethics 7 > Natural law > Flashcards

Natural law Flashcards

1
Q

Define ‘deontlogical’

A

From the latin meaning ‘duty’ ethics founded on intrinsic right or wrong of actions

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2
Q

Define ‘telos’

A

The end or purpose of something

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3
Q

Define ‘natural law’

A

A deontological theory based on behaviour that accords with given laws or moral rules (e.g. given by God) that exist independently of human societies and systems

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4
Q

Define ‘synderesis’

A

To follow the good and avoid evil which is the rule that all precepts have to follow

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5
Q

Define ‘secondary precepts’

A

The laws which follow the primary precepts

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6
Q

Define ‘primary precepts’

A

The most important rules in life; to protect life, to reproduce, to live in the community and teach the young to believe in God

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7
Q

Define ‘practical reason’

A

The tool which makes moral decisions

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8
Q

Define ‘eudaimonia’

A

living well as an ultimate end in life which all other actions should lead towards

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9
Q

What are the four tiers of law?

A

Aquinas’ approach to ethics based on a universal order that all moral laws are based on.
Eternal, Divine, Natural and Human law

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10
Q

What are real and apparent goods?

A

Humans do bad things because they are mistaken by apparent goods

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11
Q

What is the doctrine of double effect?

A

An action with two effects or consequences

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12
Q

What are real and apparent goods?

A

Humans do bad things because they are mistaken by apparent goods

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13
Q

What is the doctrine of double effect?

A

An action with two effects or consequences

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14
Q

What is cultural relativism?

A

We should live by the what social norms suggest

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15
Q

What is subjectivism?

A

We should live by personal belief

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16
Q

What do utilitarians live by?

A

Actions or rules which maximise pleasure for all

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17
Q

What do absolutists believe you should live by?

A

Fixed moral laws such as transcendental forms or ideas of Plato

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18
Q

Give a quote from Aquinas

A

“Now a certain order is to be found in those things that are apprehended universally”

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19
Q

Describe Samuel von Pufendorf’s theory of natural law

A

‘Of the Law of Nature and Nations’ (1729) - by ourselves we are vulnerable but we live in communities and societies to survive

20
Q

Where does the idea of natural law come from?

A

The Greek stoics believed human beings have a divine spark enabling them to discover eternal laws necessary for human happiness. The stoics considered themselves citizens of universal law

21
Q

Describe the beliefs of Aristotle

A

Natural law is given, he thought that the purpose of human beings was to live a life of reason

22
Q

Give a quote from Aristotle

A

“Reason is the true self of every man since it is the supreme and better part”

23
Q

What does Aristotle believe about telos?

A

Every agent (being capable of choosing how to act) acts for an end such as acquiring happiness or eudaimonia, something is good if it fulfils its end

24
Q

What does Aquinas believe are moral acts?

A

Free acts which come from a freely acting rational person, we act towards specific ends but achieving those ends is not fully satisfying because we are only fully satisfied when we achieve the ultimate end which is universal good

25
Q

What did Aquinas believe is universal good?

A

Cannot be found in this world but only in the supreme and infinite God which only rational creatures can perceive

26
Q

Give a quote from Aquinas about universal good

A

“Ultimate and perfect beatitude can consist only in the vision of the divine essence which is the very essence of goodness”

27
Q

Why does Aquinas believe divine help is needed?

A

Divine help is needed to direct motivation for actions because Aquinas is more concerned with intention than action because good action may be for selfish intention making the action bad but you can also not do bad action for good reason as emotion may confuse moral decision making

28
Q

Describe the eternal law

A
  • Absolute and eternal law
  • Part of the mind of God his unchanging reason
  • Eternal law remains the same despite culture or political situation
  • God plants eternal law in every rational soul
29
Q

Describe the divine law

A
  • Through the divine law God sends information about eternal law
  • Commands and teachings of divine revelation
  • Sacred scripture revealed by God is teaching human beings how to live
30
Q

Describe natural law

A
  • Allows humans to perceive eternal law through human reason
  • Separates humans from animals and makes eternal law accessible to all of humanity
  • Act-based and deontological
31
Q

Describe human law

A
  • Customs and practises of society
  • Aquinas: human law is only a proper law if it is good and in accordance with divine and natural law
  • Breaking laws which are wrong is not immoral
  • Human law does not have to cover all moral wrongs, only the more serious
32
Q

Complete the quote by Aquinas “To scorn…

A

The dictate of reason is to scorn the commandment of God”

33
Q

What is divine reason?

A

The reason of God which exists but out of our ability to perceive it, the moral life is one that is lived by and through reason

34
Q

What did Aquinas believe belongs to natural law?

A

An inclination to do good to preserve human life

35
Q

What are the primary precepts?

A
  • Worship God
  • Live in an ordered society
  • Reproduce
  • Learn and teach of God
  • Defend innocent
36
Q

What are secondary precepts?

A
  • Applications of primary precepts in certain situations

- E.g. anti-social behaviour and abortion are wrong

37
Q

Give a quote from Aquinas describing evil

A

“No evil can be desirable, either by natural appetite or by conscious will, it is sought indirectly”

38
Q

How can reason be used to determined real and apparent goods?

A

Tempting good are apparently and not real goods, the correct use of reason determines what goods are real and which to avoid e.g. a married man who has an affair with the wife of another is mistaken about true good to bring happiness

39
Q

What does Aquinas believe are cardinal values and why are they important?

A

Prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice. Some virtues are revealed in scripture; faith, hope and love. We should develop virtues to keep natural law

40
Q

What analogy does Aquinas use to demonstrate the doctrine of double effect?

A

A man attacks a woman walking home and she defends herself with mace spray, he falls on the pavement, hits his head and dies. Taking life is against primary precepts so does this mean that the woman is wrong for defending herself?

41
Q

How does Augustine react to Aquinas’ analogy of the doctrine of double effect?

A

Private self defence can only proceed from some degree of inordinate self love

42
Q

Who does Aquinas believe is in the wrong in the analogy of the doctrine of double effect?

A

Interior acts is the intention of the exterior act which is what happens so the intention of the woman is permissible but the force used should be proportionate, the good effect should be at least as important as the bad effect

43
Q

How can conscience be a considerable factor?

A

“[Natural law] provides the solid foundation on which man can build the structure of moral rules to guide his choices” - Catechism of the Catholic Church

44
Q

Give some strengths of natural law

A
  • Ethically good
  • Deontological and so universally applicable
  • Cardinal values are essential to good act and intentions
  • Interfaith dialogue
45
Q

Give some weaknesses of natural law

A
  • Synderesis assumes all humans are the same
  • Not possible to judge what is natural e.g. modern medicine saves lives that the power of God can’t
  • Not all ethical decisions are made rationally
  • Commits naturalistic fallacy and so there is no way to attempt good

Ethics 7 (9 decks)

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