Natural Law Key Terms

Question 1

Aristotle

Answer 1

Greek philsopher who made great contributions to science and ethics. He created the original ideas of natural law.

Question 2

Aquinas

Answer 2

A 13th century dominican priest commonly regarded as the most influential philosopher and theologican of the Roman Catholic Church. He developed the theory of natural law based on aristotles writings.

Question 3

Stoics

Answer 3

Early Philosphers in the 3rd century and a school of philsophy. Believed humans had a ‘divine spark’.

Question 4

Deontological

Answer 4

Derived from the greek word ‘deon’ meaning ‘duty’ or ‘obligation’. The morality of an action is based on the human duty to abide by rules regardless of the consequences of an action.

Question 5

Reason

Answer 5

The human ability to think logically.

Question 6

Recta Ratio

Answer 6

The ability to judge situations ethically and make a morally correct decision. Also known as ‘right reason’.

Question 7

Telos

Answer 7

The purpose or goal of something. For example the goal of humans is to achieve eudiamonia.

Question 8

Eudiamonia

Answer 8

‘Happiness’ or to thrive in life and flourish in society with others.

Question 9

Teleological

Answer 9

Concerned with the end purpse or goal of an action.

Question 10

Eternal Law

Answer 10

Gods divine law and how he governs the universe. It is unknown to humans.

Question 11

Divine Law

Answer 11

Revealed through scripture, revelation and the bible which guide us to reach our goal of perfection.

Question 12

Natural Law

Answer 12

God given abilituy to reason and obey eternal law so thay everything achieves its telos.

Question 13

Human Law

Answer 13

Laws created by humans as it invovles the need to seek the ocmmon good. Aquinas argues this is created using our god given ability to reason.

Question 14

Efficient Cause

Answer 14

The agency of change in which a thing is set into motion.

Question 15

Final Cause

Answer 15

The end product/telos of the thing.

Question 16

Double Effect

Answer 16

Refers to situations which the intended outcome has an unexpected but morally accepted consequence.

Question 17

Primary Precepts

Answer 17

The belief that humans have been made with a set of god given purposes. Based in the synderesis rule.

Question 18

Secondary Precepts

Answer 18

Derived from the primary precepts and are actions that fulfill each primary precept to achieve our telos.