Natural Law

Question 1

Review: What are the 4 causes?

Answer 1

Think MEFF 
Material - what it’s made of 
Efficient - how it’s made 
Formal - what its characteristics are 
Final - what its purpose for being made is

Question 2

Who is the key thinker of Natural Law

Answer 2

Aquinassss
But he bases his theory on Aristotle who believed that our purpose is to seek happiness in life through a general all round well being - Eudaimonia

Question 4

What are secondary precepts

Answer 4

These are rules that can be worked out based on one of the five primary precepts.
For example:
Primary precept -> preserve life
Secondary Precept-> do not kill

Question 5

How can humans discover what is right and wrong?

Answer 5

Through our purpose. If we can work out what we are here for, we can work our whether or not we are good.

Question 6

What is the difference between primary precepts and secondary precepts?

Answer 6

For Aquinas, the primary precepts are fixed while the secondary precepts are more flexible and specific. They provide a needed flexibility as they show how the primary precepts apply in certain circumstances.
However, Catholics have made the secondary precepts fixed such as their rejection of contraception as it prevents reproduction. For Aquinas they are possible applications and NOT rules.

Question 7

Define interior act and exterior act………

Answer 7

Interior act - motive of an action

Exterior act - the actual action

Question 8

Name the 5 PRIMARY precepts

Answer 8

To create life 
To preserve life 
To live in an ordered society 
To be educated 
To worship God 
These are humans telos/purposes and if followed will make us happy.

Question 9

What are the strengths of Natural Law

Answer 9

Clear and fixed principles - absolutist
Supports human rights
Flexible - double effect and secondary precepts
Rational and respects revelation - ability to reason AND revelation - the Divine law