Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Philosophy > Natural Moral Law > Flashcards

Natural Moral Law Flashcards

1
Q

Key philosopher

A

Thomas Aquinas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

about the key philosopher

A

combined the theological principles of faith with the philosophical principles of reason, he ranked amongst the most influential thinkers of medieval Scholasticism

an authority of the roman catholic church and a prolific writer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

where is objective morality found

A

aristotelian and stoic ethical thoughts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Quote on objective mortality

A

“the law that is written on men’s hearts”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Aquinas believed that human conduct …

A

must follow certain principles found in nature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

universal and fixed principles

A

These principles are universal and fixed. That is, they apply to everyone, everywhere, all of the time.

As humans, we have the ability to reason and work out what these principles are.

His theory is deontological, meaning it is only concerned with human action; not the result or consequence of that action.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

central principle of synderesis rule of natural law is …

A

that “Good is to be done and pursued and evil is to be avoided” (St Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica)

in other words “do good and avoid evil”
using this as the overriding guiding principle, we as humans must use our reason to work out what is the right action

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

other support for natural law

A

Aquinas’ thinking has had a major influence on Catholic teaching.

Many other thinkers support the theory of natural law, including Hugo Grotius (pictured), William Paley, John Locke and Aristotle.

Aristotle supported the idea that humans use reason to discern the natural law which is universal and unchanging.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

aquinas’s natural law theory is deontological meaning …

A

it is only concerned with human action; not the result or the consequence of that action

human actions = ✅
consequence of actions = ❌

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

happiness

A

eudemonia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

aquinas believed humans act to …

A

achieve happiness (eudaimonia)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

four types of law that are made known to humans

A

the eternal law
the divine law
the natural law
the human law

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

human end goal - eudemonia

A

Aquinas, like Aristotle, believed that humans act for an end (to achieve something).

Aristotle believed that this end is happiness or as he called it, eudaimonia.

This is not simply feeling happy; it is not bodily happiness. It is a deeper sort of happiness. It could be defined more closely as human flourishing.

Aquinas believed that this sort of happiness cannot be achieved in this world but only once we are reunited with God.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

eternal law

A

For Aquinas, the Eternal Law is part of God.

It is universal and absolute - that is, unchanging and applies to everyone, everywhere all of the time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

divine law

A

The laws and rules found in the Bible.
> For example, the Decalogue or Jesus’ Parables.

The Divine Law has been revealed by God.

The Divine Law shows humans how they should live their lives.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

natural law

A

All humans can become aware of God’s eternal law through Natural Law.

Humans have the ability to reason (unlike animals) so they can work out, by observing the world, what actions follow this Natural Law.

Through natural law, humans can be aware of God’s Eternal Law even if they have not read the Bible.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

human law

A

The laws that humans create for their society that are derived from the Natural and Divine law.

Many societies have developed similar laws to preserve life or care for the sick, for example.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

from which two laws do humans create human Law

A

divine and natural

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

which denomination of christianity did Aquinas’ thinking have a significant impact on

A

catholicism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

three true things about divine law

A

laws and rules found in the bible

shows humans how they should live their lives

has been revealed by God

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

the precepts

A

primary and secondary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

natural human desire to do good

A

Aquinas believed that humans naturally want to do good and, through their ability to reason, can work out the correct course of action.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what are the primary precepts

A

Aquinas proposed five primary precepts. These are the five fundamental rules that guide human behaviour.
Our actions must uphold these precepts at all times. If they do, our action is right. If they do not, the action is wrong.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

the five primary precepts

A

Preservation of Life - to defend and protect human life.

Ordered Society - to live in a lawful society following the primary precepts.

Worship God - to pray to God who gives the eternal law.

Education - to learn and teach others about God and his law.

Reproduce - to continue God’s creation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
acronym for primary precepts
POWER Preservation of Life Ordered society Worship God Education Reproduction
26
secondary precepts
When humans are faced with a moral choice, they must use reasoning to work out whether or not their action will uphold the primary precept. In doing this, they create a secondary precept. This is an application of the Natural Law to a specific situation. The secondary precepts vary depending on the situation. But they will always uphold the primary precepts.
27
absolute wrongs in catholicism
For example, 'killing' of any kind (murder, euthanasia, abortion) is always wrong because any type of killing breaks the primary precept of preservation of life. This continues to influence the Catholic Church today, which teaches that homosexual activity is a sin because it cannot lead to reproduction. The same reasoning applies to the use of artificial contraception.
28
Aquinas five precepts recap
preservation of life - defend and protect human life ordered society - live in a lawful society following the primary precepts worship god - pray to god who gives the eternal law education - learn and teach others about God and his law reproduce - continue God's creation
29
what is the synderesis rule of Aquinas' natural law
"Do good and avoid evil"
30
30
what primary precept does the killing of any kind break?
preservation of life
31
aquinas uses the concept of real and apparent good to explain ...
why evil occurs
32
what is an apparent good
An apparent good is when someone makes a wrong decision because they fail to apply reason correctly. They are not intentionally pursuing the wrong action. They have just made a mistake about what they think is the right thing to.
33
dangers of apparent goods
An apparent good can be very tempting. So humans must recognise an apparent good from a real good. > For example, you may want to sit and watch Netflix all day before an exam. But this is an apparent good. The real good would be to study and prepare for your exam thoroughly as it will shape your future.
34
sin - pursuit of apparent goods
For Aquinas, sin exists because humans give into temptation and pursue apparent goods instead of real goods.
35
doctrine of double effect with preggo woman example
Aquinas’ doctrine of double effect accepts that one action may have more than one effect and that sometimes, the effect may be bad. > For example, a pregnant woman whose embryo is developing outside of the womb (an ectopic pregnancy) undergoes a procedure to save her life. > The primary aim of the procedure is to save the life of the mother; a secondary effect is that the pregnancy is terminated. > Aquinas would accept that a bad effect has come out of good action, but that this is unintentional.
36
Aquinas’ doctrine of double effect accepts that ...
... one action may have more than one effect and that sometimes, the effect may be bad.
37
Aquinas accepts that an action may have multiple effects and some effects may be bad. What's this principle known as?
the doctrine of the double effect
38
What does Aquinas call a wrong decision that comes about from failing to apply reason correctly?
an apparent good
39
reasons natural law is helpful
It provides a framework for making moral decisions rather than leaving morality open to subjectiveness. It is universal and accessible to all. It makes sense: we as humans want to protect those who are vulnerable and know education is essential for the good of society. It supports human rights - natural law aims to protect and benefit all people equally.
40
reasons natural law is unhelpful
Aquinas precepts are based on a belief in God - this is unhelpful to atheists. It ignores the complex nature of human beings and assumes all strive for the same end. Some argue that it is out of date and ignores what is now socially acceptable (e.g. homosexual relationships and same-sex marriage).
41
humans strive for good
There must be some shared morality for society to operate. > E.g. the protection of life, the education of children, the continuation of the human species.
42
humans do not strive for good
Hobbes argues that human nature is dangerous: that humans strive to get the things they want for themselves and do not consider others. > E.g. humans can be selfish. We cannot all be striving for good because our collective actions are damaging nature itself. > E.g. deforestation and pollution.
43
'human beings strive for good' recap
agree > there must be some shared morality for society to operate >> e.g. protection of life >> e.g. education of children >> e.g. continuation of the human species disagree > hobbes: human nature is dangerous >> humans strive to get the things they want for themselves and do not consider others > collective human actions damage nature >> e.g. deforestation >> e.g. pollution
44
Which group of people would NOT find Aquinas' precepts helpful?
athiests
45
in what ways is natural law a helpful principle?
1) Provides a framework for making moral decisions 2) Universal and accessible to all 3) Makes sense to humans: we want to protect the vulnerable and know education is essential for society 4) It supports human rights
46
wrong actions by natural law
Natural law implies that the purpose of sexual intercourse is reproduction. > So artificial contraception, masturbation and homosexual sexual activity are considered to be wrong because they do not allow for the production of new life.
47
catholic & counter-arguments
Although the Catholic Church supports this view, many people challenge it today. Sexual relationships are viewed beyond the physical, which natural law does not acknowledge. > The telos of sexual activity could be unity or strengthening of a relationship and this could happen between unmarried couples and homosexual couples.
48
does the universe have a telos?
Some argue the universe does not have a telos. If someone does not accept that the world was created by God, then its creation and the universe is random and changeable. Concepts that were once considered “natural” are then challenged. The primary precept of reproduction entirely assumes that the female purpose is to have children. Many people would consider this notion to be old-fashioned and challenges the idea that there is one single pre-established end.
49
can the doctrine justify acts?
The doctrine of double effect allows for some flexibility in natural law when the moral problem seems impossible. Aquinas uses the example of self-defence to illustrate his point. > If we are being attacked, we may use proportionate force to save ourselves. If this results in the death of our attacker, this is lawful as long as we used proportionate force and our intention was to save our own life.
50
issues with doctrine: motives
Aquinas is concerned with motives. Herein lies the problem. We cannot know someone’s true motives. > They may say they acted to save their life, but how can we really know? This then opens the door to the doctrine being abused when the agent says they acted with good motives when really they did not.
51
what analogy does aquinas use to show that the doctrine of double effect can justify actions
self defence
52
teleological
Teleological ethics focus on the consequences/result which any action might have.
53
deontological
In deontological ethics the rightness or wrongness of an action is intrinsic to the act
54
efficient cause
What brought something in existence
55
material cause
What something is made from
56
formal cause
What shape or form a thing takes
57
telos
Greek term meaning ‘end’ or ‘purpose’
57
final cause
the purpose of something
58
absolute
A value or principle which is regarded as universally valid or which may be viewed without relation to other things.
59
virtue
Behaviour showing high moral standards.
60
eudaimonia
Eudaimonia: A Greek word commonly translated as happiness or welfare; however, "human flourishing" is a more accurate translation.
61
double doctrine effect
The doctrine of double effect is often invoked to explain the permissibility of an action that causes a serious harm, such as the death of a human being, as a side effect of promoting some good end
62
natural law
A body of unchanging moral principles regarded as a basis for all human conduct.
63
rational principle
The assumption that people try to reach their goals

Philosophy (20 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions