Natural Moral Law

Question 1

What is the Natural Moral Law?

Answer 1

Natural moral law is based on the idea that there is a natural order to out world which should be followed. This law had been established by a supernatural power

Question 2

What are the 4 characteristics of NML?

Answer 2

Deontological - rules which must be followed
Teleological - concerned with purpose given by GOD
Absolutist - always true everywhere
Legalistic - Law based

Question 3

What are the four levels of NML?

Answer 3

Eternal law - Laws that govern the universe made and only fully know by GOD
Divine law - the Bible, reflects the eternal law, only known through revelation and faith
Natural law - the moral law of GOD built into human nature
Human law - the law is derived by reason

Question 4

What are the precepts of NML?

Answer 4

Primary:
- Protect the innocent
- Order society
- Worship God
- Educate young
- Reproduce

Secondary:
- Do not abort the unborn
- Marry
- Obey 10 commandments
- School and church for all
- Do not use contraception

Question 5

What is Proportionalism?

Answer 5

Proportionalism is a set of laws derived from NML, but it allows for the breaking of these rules if there is a proportionate reason

Question 6

What are the strengths of NML?

Answer 6

• Gives a clear approach to morality and allows us to establish common rules
• The basic principles are common to all cultures making it reasonable
• It is flexible as the secondary precepts can change depending on circumstances

Question 7

What are the weaknesses of NML?

Answer 7

• It can be argued that there is not only one single human nature, which NML said there was
• There is diversity in what is considered to be moral in different cultures
• It is difficult to exercise moral priniciples in complex decisions