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Natural Law Essays Flashcards

1
Q

what is ur view esssay 1 ?

A

helpful

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2
Q

what is essay 1 ?

A

Natural Law is helpful in making moral decisions

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3
Q

what is the intro essay 1 ?

A

Natural Law - Deontological theory that is based on behaviour that fits with given laws or moral rules that exist independently of human societies and systems.

Initially proposed by - Aquinas - 13th century philosopher

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4
Q

what scholars in essay 1 ?

A

Aristotle, Aquinas, john Finnis, Karl Barth, Fletcher.

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5
Q

what is the point in para 1 essay 1 ?

A

Helpful because helps society today.

Conservative Catholics - not outdated bcos we need to follow Gods natural law in order to flourish - Telos for Aristotle - eudemonia

As seen in secular western culture it is not good because doesnt folow primary and secondary precepts.

UK Marriages - 42% end in divorce

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6
Q

what is the counterargument para 1 essay 1 ?

A

some may say its outdated

medieval society was more chaotic due to political instability and religious upheaval. Strict absolutist principles were needed in order to prevent society from falling apart - TALK ABOUR PRIMARY PRECEPTS HERE - why they were needed

  • socio economic conditions have changed so now not needed

Also casues discrimintaion to be higher

reproduction pp could cause homophobia

doesnt take into account the spread of HIV - as a result of catholic teachign opposing contraception

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7
Q

how will you counteract the counterargument in para 1 essay 1 ?

A

this could be to do with how the theory has been interpreted rather than anything to do with the theory itself.

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8
Q

what is the point in para 2 essay 1 ?

A

aquinas - fits all societies because they have cross cultural core similarities and absolutist theory so universal

all cultures value key primary precepts of reproduction and education - we have a telos to folow them

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9
Q

what is the counterargument para 2 essay 1 ?

A

Fletcher - diff cultures have diff moral views

Aquinas is wrong to believe we are all born with the same moral compass

Simplification of human behaviour and purpose suggests our activities are driven towards a single end

Also - worshipping God precept wont fit into all societies

modern understanding of human nature are generally more diverse - using narrow rules could cause division within society

too simplistic - humans do not have a single ‘fixed’ human nature

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10
Q

how will you counterargument in para 2 essay 1 ?

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John Finnis - uses aristotles ideas of practical reasoning or phronesis to suggest that there are certain basic goods of human flourishing

Doesnt require a belief in God , based on emprirical observations which are available to all

if someone is an atheist ,it may not matter because aristotle was celibate even though one of the primary precepts was reproduction. As long as the majority of society are following them its fine.

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11
Q

what is ur view essay 2 ?

A

helpful

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11
Q

what is essay 2 ?

A

Assess the view that the primary and secondary precepts of natural law are unhelpful in moral decision making

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12
Q

what is the intro essay 2 ?

A

Aquinas developed them for society to flourish. Primary precepts include….

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13
Q

what scholars essay 2 ?

A

Aquinas, Kant

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14
Q

what is the point in para1 essay 2 ?

A

Primary precepts =

  • Preservation of lifE

Evident that life is important. Natural and reasonable for a person to be concerned with life.

  • Reproduction

Rational to ensure that life continues, main purpose of sex.

  • Educating the young

Humans are intellectual creatures and it is natural for us to learn.

  • Living in society

We are social being and its good to live in an ordered society where its possible to fulfil our purpose.

  • Worshipping God

We are also spiritual beings and we should recognize God as the source of life and live in a way that pleases him.

We need these to live in a civililsed society where they were free to survive and flourish - primary precepts are needed for this.

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15
Q

what is the counterargument para 1 essay 2 ?

A

These are only general statements and don’t tell us how to act - we need clearer instructions.

Also could be seen as discriminative - e.g. homosexuality (due to PP of reproduction).

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16
Q

how will you counteract the counterargument in para 1 essay 2 ?

A

Secondary are also good. Because they give us clearer instructions. More specific rules that can be deduced from the primary precepts - flexibility. e.g. Preservation of life - Don’t commit suicide. Provide lots of guidance.

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17
Q

what is the point in para 2 essay 2 ?

A

Kant - they are absolute and universal so they are helpful.

Easy to follow clear guidance that are fixed.

Secondary precepts - give more examples. People wont be lost if they have these. Makes society flourish and helps us to achieve our ultimate telos which is Heaven - according to Aquinas.

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18
Q

what is the counterargument in para 2 essay 2

A

Made when society was different - out of date.

Leads to immoral outcome - not allowing contraception - spread of AIDS.

Discrimination against different group.

Too simplistic - Humans don’t have a simple ‘fixed’ nature.

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19
Q

how will you counteract the counterargument in para 2 essay 2 ?

A

PP- common in many cultures - link to Kant. They are already used in cultures so they are successful.

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20
Q

what is essay 3 ?

A

To what extent is natural law too reliant on telos in making moral decision.

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21
Q

what is ur view essay 3 ?

A

too reliant

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22
Q

what is the intro essay 3 ?

A

NL - Developed by Thomas Aquinas - Deontological theory that is based on behaviour that fits with given laws or moral rules that exist independently of human societies and systems.

Telos = Greek Word - purpose or end (aim) of something

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23
Q

what scholars essay 3 ?

A

Aquinas, Sartre, Darwin.

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24
Q

what is the point in para 1 essay 3 ?

A

Telos shows that right and wrong can be decided based on whether something fulfils its purpose. Thomas Aquinas - 13th century theologian and philosopher. = Everything has a telos and that whether actions are good depends upon whether the purpose is fulfilled. (example of chair - good if its sturdy and doesn’t break when you sit on it).

TOO RELIANT BCOS - Sartre- Human beings are fundamentally different than inanimate objects such as chairs - Humans could only repurpose or telos if they had been made by God. - After we come into existence we must decide for ourselves what our essence is.

Also - Aquinas is making the mistake that we all have the same purpose - we may have different purposes.

25
Q

what is the counterargument in para 1 essay 3 ?

A

Aquinas believes that there is an essential human nature and that there is a good which we must all strive towards, which is our purpose. - His purpose is achieving true happiness in Heaven.

He also shows this through the primary precepts and secondary precepts. Aquinas - we have to live in a civilized society where they were free to survive and flourish - reach telos ??

Primary Precepts = Preservation of life, Worshipping God, Living in society, Educating children, reproduction.

Secondary precepts - give clearer instructions from primary , they are contributory parts of the human telos.

26
Q

how will you counteract the counterargument in para 1 essay 3 ?

A

Existentialists - Have humans got any purpose except the ones they freely choose for themselves - If God doesn’t exist , then it seems difficult to argue for objective human purpose.

27
Q

what is point in para 2 essay 3 ?

A

Evolution - Darwin- Purpose isn’t a feature of the world- but instead somet that human beings project on the natural world.

Entirely dependent on an overarching religious and philosophical a priori view that the universe has a telos for which there is no proof.

28
Q

what is counterargument in para 2 essay 3 ?

A

Moral decision making requires common sense and easily accessible criteria which are provided by the concept of telos - so its an important feature of natural law and is needed - gives it positives.

Provides an absolutists approach - positives -
* it gives clear moral judgement.
* it allows quickethical decisions to be made

Well established over time and place.

29
Q

how will you counteract the counterargument in para 2 essay 3 ?

A

Moral decision making also should be flexible , which is prevented by natural law’s reliance on the absolute outcome of the telos.

30
Q

what is essay 4 ?

A

Can the doctrine of double effect be used to justify an action (such as killing someone due to self-defence).

31
Q

what is ur view essay 4 ?

A

Yes it can be used to justify an action.

32
Q

what is essay 4 intro ?

A

DODE- Idea that if something good also produces a bad side effect it is still ethically possible as the bad side effect was not intended.

33
Q

what scholars essay 4 ?

A

Aquinas, Suzanne Uniake, Kant, Pope Nicholas, Joseph Mengen, Augustine, Fletcher.

34
Q

what is the point in para 1 essay 4 ?

A

Explain what DODE is, Aquinas’ link to it.

An act may have more than one effect. What matters is intention.

DODE- Covers some areas where an action may produce several effects: some good and some bad.

AQUINAS - what matters is which effect is intended. Self defence example- not guilty of doing anything wrong. - links to interior and exterior acts.

Allows some flexibility in an otherwise rigid moral decision making procedure.

35
Q

how will you counteract the counterargument in para 1 essay 4 ?

A

Intention is used in most legal cases - ‘malicious intent’- increase seriousness of the crime.

35
Q

what is the point in para 2 essay 4 ?

A

If you intend the good effect, you are not held responsible for the secondary bad effect.

Abortion example - woman’s life is at risk if she continues pregnancy - operation to save mothers life - intention of saving mothers life (good effect), the baby dying due to the operation (bad effect).

Also links to SE - Joseph Fletcher - Do the most loving thing - the lesser of two evils.

36
Q

what is counterargument in para 1 essay 4 ?

A

How do we know intention.

SUZANNE UNIAKE- Almost impossible to genuinely judge the intention of a person.

Difficult to know how far to press the idea of DE and which areas it may cover.

Its too flexible. Strays away from basis of the theory.

37
Q

what is the counterargument in para 2 essay 4 ?

A

Some things just aren’t right

If we can see the two possible effects, we must take moral responsibility for both possible outcomes. We cant get out of trouble by only intending the effect that suits you.

Some crimes are just inherently wrong - Kant- looking at intentions creates sloppy morality and wrongness - some acts are objectively wrong or right.

9th Century - Pope Nicholas - ‘no man may lawfully take another life in self-defence’.

Its a mortal sin, If NL is religious and based on divine law (what is this?)- then it would surely follow the ‘thou shall not kill teaching’.

AUGUSTINE - killing in self-defence is not permitted - it can’t justify an action. (linkto Adam and Eve - how they must take responsibility ??)

38
Q

how will you counteract the counterargument in para 2 essay 4 ?

A

Philosopher Joseph Mengen - agree Aquinas view of proportionality - self defence is acceptable if there is a good enough reason for permitting an evil action.

Its also good at recognising the complexity of real life situations - Kant - has no answer for situations where duties clash - so this is better. Aquinas better

39
Q

what is essay 5 ?

A

Was the universe designed with a telos?

40
Q

what is ur view essay 5 ?

A

yes

41
Q

what is intro essay 5 ?

A

Telos is the purpose or aim of something.

42
Q

what scholars essay 5 ?

A

?

43
Q

what is the point in para 1 essay 5 ?

A

telos-based ethics that they are empirical, i.e., based on evidence. Aristotle observed that everything has a nature which inclines it towards a certain goal which he and Aquinas called its telos. It is a biological fact that certain behaviours cause an organism to flourish. Telos thus seems an empirically valid concept.

44
Q

what is the counterargument in para 1 essay 5 ?

A

Francis Bacon, called the father of empiricism, argued that only material and efficient causation were valid scientific concepts, not formal and final causation. The idea of telos is unscientific.

The idea that entities have an ‘essence’ and thus a telos is unscientific. Physicist Sean Carroll concludes that purpose is not built into the “architecture” of the universe.

45
Q

how wil you counteract the counterargument in para 1 essay 5 ?

A

Polkinghorne’s argument is successful because science is limited. It cannot rule out something like a prime mover or God which could provide some kind of telos. If purpose existed, science would not be able to discover it. So, science cannot be used to dismiss the existence of purpose

46
Q

what is the point in para 2 essay 5 ?

A

“as an arrow is directed by an archer”, God gives all things in the universe a telos or purpose to fulfil. Arrow Analogy

47
Q

what is the counterargument in para 2 essay 5

A

Dawkins responds that it’s not valid to simply assume that there actually is a ‘why’. He makes an analogy: ‘what is the color of jealousy?’ That question is assuming that jealousy has a color. Similarly, just because we can ask why we and the universe exist, that doesn’t mean there actually is a purpose for it.

Evolution -Darwin- “the chance mutation of genes”

Also some things which don;t have a telos- tonsils, breast tissue, appendix, tailbone, wisdom teeth

48
Q

how will you counteract the counterargument in para 2 essay 5 ?

A

Stoic philosophers - Zeno and Marcus Aurelius - viewed the world as an ordered place. God created it and left within it the ‘logos’ and divine reason.

49
Q

what is essay 6 ?

A

Do human beings and all of creation really have an orientation toward the good?

50
Q

what is ur view essay 6 ?

A

Yes - we have an orientation towards the good.

51
Q

what is the intro essay 6 ?

A

Orientation to the good - what does that mean ?

52
Q

what scholars essay 6 ?

A

Zeno, Marcus Aurelius, Darwin, Augustine, Aquinas, William Paley.

53
Q

what is the point in para 1 essay 6 ?

A

Stoicism - Orientation of creation

Stoic philosophers - Zeno and Marcus Aurelius.

World is an ordered place. God created it and left within it the ‘logos’ or divine reason. This divine spark is within each of us , so the reasonable repsonse to humans towards the ordered universe is to live in an ordered life of virtuous actions.

54
Q

what is the counterargument in para 1 essay 6 ?

A

Modern evolutionary views suggest universe is result of randomness. DARWIN

Dawkins - evolution is ‘blind watchmaker’

Augustine - humans are fallen and affected by orig sin - Adam and Eve - all present in Adam’s loins.

Extends our ability to make good moral decisions and act upon the

55
Q

how will you counteract the counterargument in para 1essay 6 ?

A

Stoicism + religious thinkers are able to appeal to the order of creation

Paley - argument on design - watch analogy - examples of this type of approach . Intelligent design = intelligent designer.

56
Q

what is the point para 2 essay 6 ?

A

Aquinas . Orinetation of human beings. Syndresis principle - we are able to achieve the good within each of us if we reason correctly.

Aquinas’ ideas on NL - gives a dignity to human beingsn and places faith in their ability to reason

57
Q

what is counterargument in para 2 essay 6 ?

A

Although Aquinas is commendable that he gives such priority to reason, he is being overly optimistic about what reason can achieve.

Aquinas view of real and apparent goods is naive. - seems that some human knowingly commit evil actions , and it is mistaken to suggest they are merely pursuing apparent goods.

58
Q

how will you counterargue the counteragument in para 2 essay 6 ?

A

Aquinas - we do want to live well and we naturally aim for goodness/ happiness - where we miss this, it unclear on what goodness is or differ about how to achieve it, but our aim is never the same,

RS (47 decks)

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