Natural Law Theory Flashcards
Is the natural law theory objectivist or relativist?
Objectivist, because the theory believes that there are certain moral rules that applies for everyone. Ex: respect for life, social interactions and knowledge
What is natural law theory? Describe the theory
1) Theory: We should always do what is natural
(What is natural = morally good)
2) To act well is to follow promote whatever those natural traits, needs and purposes are.
3) Goal: to understand our place as human beings, and to understand the place and role of other creations. To promote those natural aspects of nature.
4) It’s the idea that everything has a natural function that serves to achieve a goal.
- Ex: our heart circulates the blood, our mind equips us with knowledge, our mouth is to speak.
- Ex: animals do a certain types of things, have a certain purpose, humans as well etc.
5) Everything has its place on this earth
Strengths of the natural law theory
- Objectivist approach
- It has a scientific foundation, its grounded in facts, nature
- It relates to nature
- Promotes goodness (health, social interaction, reproduction, knowledge)
- Provides motivation for being moral
Weaknesses of the natural law theory
- Foundations: the principle being “ we should maintain and promote as good those values towards which nature aims” is problematic. It’s certain that we desire health, knowledge and social interaction, but why should there be a moral obligation to seek things? In other words, why think that something being natural makes it good? (Explanatory power)
- Vagueness: The concept of natural law theory is vague, as it is difficult to determine what “natural” means. Ex: If reproduction is good, then why is cloning and the use of AI insemination bad?
- Evolution: the main reason why this theory has fallen is because of the acceptance of evolutionary theory with its denial of natural aims and functions. Ex: dinosaurs should do certain things like hunting and preying (bc its in their nature), but if it tries to evolve (bc evolution of species exist) and fly, it goes against the natural law theory.
- People with no religious beliefs wont necessarily feel the need to follow the theory
- What violates an organ’s principle purpose is unnatural. Explain why this claim is problematic (Corvino)
He argues that many of our organs have multiple purposes instead of one. Ex: tommy can chew with his mouth, speak, kiss breathe. Just bc people can use their organs to reproduce, it doesn’t mean that they can’t use them for other purposes. in fact, many of our organs have multiple purposes
- What is disgusting or offensive is unnatural. Explain why this claim is problematic (Corvino)
He argues that often times, when people call homosexuality “unnatural” they just mean they find it disgusting. But, plenty of moral activities such as cleaning toilets, cleaning poo, autopsies are also disgusting for some people.
- What is not practiced by other animals is unnatural. Explain why this claim is problematic (Corvino)
He argues that numerous studies like gay sheep’s and lesbian seagulls have shown that animals form homosexual relationships. And even if the premise was true, it wouldn’t be immoral since animals don’t cook their food, brush their teeth and attend college; human beings do all of these without moral censure
- What is unusual or abnormal is unnatural. Explain why this claim is problematic (Corvino)
He argued that one meaning of “unnatural” refers to that which deviates from the norm. It should be coherent. Because, a few people breed goats, write with both hands, yet none of these activities is immoral simply because it’s unusual
Corvino mentions multiple reasons why Tommy and Jim should have sex even if it’s not for the purpose of reproduction. What are they?
- Sex is pleasurable
- Sex can unite 2 people in a way that nothing else can
- Sex can be an avenue of growth
- Sex can be an avenue of communication
What does not proceed from innate desires is unnatural. This idea resulted in 2 positions for homosexuality. What are they?
- Homosexual ppl are born this way, so its natural
- Homosexuality is a lifestyle, so its unnatural
what are the two popular positions on homosexuality and why are they problematic?
- homosexual people are “born this way” therefore it’s natural.
He claims that not everything that people are born with is morally right, because some people are born with violent tendencies - homosexuality is a lifestyle choice, therefore unnatural.
He argues that a lot of things that are acquired such as learning to share isn’t evil, so why would becoming gay be evil?
He argues that it’s society who teaches young people to be gay, because we’re taught that being straight is uncool. They encourage being gay in Amercia. He says that homosexuality is something we learn
What is the principle of forfeiture ?
It gives an innocent victim the right to self-defense
what is Doctrine of Double Effect?
it’s a theory developed by natural law theorists which guides us through making though moral choices. it addresses cases where an act goes against natural values
What are the 4 conditions that makes Doctrine of Double Effect (DDE) permissible?
- Moral principle condition. The act itself can’t be a kind that violates a moral principle (ex: purposely killing innocent)
- Means-end condition: the bad effect cannot itself be the means for achieving a good effect
- Right intention condition. One may intend only the good effect, not the bad effect
- The proportionality condition. The food effect must at least be as great as the bad effect
Independent effects
Effects depends on the act, not each other
A -> G
↓
B
