Natural Moral Law

Question 1

What is NML?

Answer 1

• NML is an absolutist theory most associated with St Thomas Aquinas.
• It relies on Aquinas’ basic understanding that humans innately try to do good and avoid evil in order to find fulfilment and happiness in life (Synderesis Rule).

Question 2

What are the Primary Precepts?

Answer 2

• Following on from the Synderesis Rule, NML is based on five primary precepts.
• These primary precepts are fundamental precepts revealed to us by God.
• They are,
  o Protect the innocent
  o Reproduction
  o Education
  o Live in an ordered society
  o Worship God

Question 3

What are the secondary precepts?

Answer 3

• Humans are then to use their reason to establish rules that will fulfil the requirements of the primary precepts.
• These rules are known as secondary precepts.
• E.g.,
  o Do not murder (Protect the innocent)
  o Do not abort (Protect the innocent and Reproduction)

Question 4

What are the key aspects of NML?

Answer 4

• Reason is used to establish how we should live our lives.
  o We use reason to fulfil the requirements of the primary precepts and therefore achieve our aim of doing good and avoiding evil.
• At times humans use their reason incorrectly because they are following apparent goods rather than real goods.
  o An example of an apparent good is taking drugs, it seems like we are doing a good thing but, we are not.
• Aquinas also noted that God knows the secrets of our hearts and so our actions must be interior rather than exterior, the motive behind an action counts.
  o For example, we should help an elderly person cross the road because it is the correct thing to do not because we want to impress someone who is watching nearby.
• Doctrine of Double Effect
  o Double effect refers to situations where there is an intended outcome and another significant but unintentional outcome.
  o According to NML, it is our intentions that are important, not the consequences of our actions.
  o Double effect would not allow you to perform an action where an unintended outcome had devastating effects.
  o The unintended effect must be proportionate.

Question 5

What are the strengths of NML?

Answer 5

• Fair set of rules for everyone.
• Human centred.
• Common rules to structure communities.

Question 6

What are the weaknesses of NML?

Answer 6

• Modern NML has no negotiation as the Church has made secondary precepts absolute rules.
• We observe differences between cultures so one doctrine cannot apply to them all.
• Complicated notions that might not be interpreted on a situational basis.