Natural Moral Law

Question 1

Which Greek Philosopher is Natural Law Ethics from?

Answer 1

Aristotle

Question 2

What concept did Aristotle introduce that is central to Natural Law?

Answer 2

The concept of telos

Question 3

What is telos?

Answer 3

The idea that humans have purpose or end. They should strive to achieve it

Question 4

Who adapted Aristotle’s Natural Law for Christianity?

Answer 4

Thomas Aquinas

Question 5

How did Aquinas modify Aristotle’s idea of Natural Law?

Answer 5

He added that the Christian God set the laws and telos for all things.

Question 6

How does God’s omnibenevolence influence natural Law?

Answer 6

It means that the laws and purposes God set are part of his loving plan for the universe.

Question 7

What does the ability to reason enable humans to do in Natural Law?

Answer 7

To intuitively know primary moral precepts

Question 8

How does natural justice differ from Law according to Aristotle?

Answer 8

Laws vary by place, but natural justice applies universally

Question 9

What did Aristotle believe about the purpose, or telos of things?

Answer 9

Everything has a purpose and its supreme goal is found when it fulfills that purpose

Question 10

What is the supreme good for humans, according to Aristotle?

Answer 10

Eudaimonia - ultimate happiness

Question 11

How did Aristotle believe humans could reach eudamonia?

Answer 11

By living a life of reason

Question 12

What is a quote from Aristotle?

Answer 12

”.. that which natural is unchangeable and has the same power everywhere”

Question 13

According to Aristotle, what telos/function is peculiar to the life of plants?

Answer 13

Life of nutrition and growth

Question 14

According to Aristotle, what telos/function is peculiar to the life of plants?

Answer 14

Life of Perception.

Question 15

According to Aristotle, what telos/function distinguishes human beings?

Answer 15

Reasoning.
Eudaimonia = human flourishing = life of reason in accordance with virtue

Question 16

What do the Stoics argue about Aristotle’s theory?

Answer 16

The universe has a basic design and purpose which human morality should work in harmony with.

Question 17

Romans 2: 14-15

Answer 17

“They show what the law requires is written on their heart”

Question 18

Who is St Thomas Aquinas?

Answer 18

13th Century Catholic Priest and theologian

Question 19

What does Aquinas believe about faith and reason?

Answer 19

faith must be grounded in reason

Question 20

What does Aquinas believe about humans and God given reason?

Answer 20

Humans can use God given reason to make moral decisions

Question 21

What is the Natural Law Theory?

Answer 21

• Deontological theory
• Everything has a purpose
• Mankind was made by God with a specific design in mind
• This purpose can be known through reason
• Focuses on duties and the intent behind an action not its outcomes

Question 22

According to Aquinas, what is the telos of rational human beings?

Answer 22

Involves glorifying God by following God’s moral Law

Question 23

What is the final cause?

Answer 23

• The goal or end purpose
• Whatever promotes the final cause is right, whatever goes against it is wrong

Question 24

What is Aquinas Synderesis Principle?

Answer 24

+- First precept of law
- “do good and avoid evil”
- All other precepts of natural law are based upon this

Question 25

What re the primary precepts?

Answer 25

• 5 principles Aquinas believes every person has a duty to do
• By doing them, you will reach your telos - ulimate end goal of life
• FIXED, UNCHANGING, ETERNAL AND UNIVERSAL

Question 26

What are secondary precepts?

Answer 26

• Created by different societies/ cultures
• Ways to uphold the primary precepts

Question 27

Aquinas quote on primary precepts

Answer 27

“Man is bound to obey secular rules to the extent taht the order of justice requires…”

Question 28

What are the 5 primary precepts?

Answer 28

• Preserve Life
• Reproduce
• Educate Children
• Ordered Society
• Worship God

Question 29

Ideas on “preservation of life”

Answer 29

• Natural and Reasonable for every person to be concerned with “preserving its own being”
• Expressed in divine law “do not kill”
• Influences catholic teachings on abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, suicide etc

Question 30

Ideas on Reproduction

Answer 30

• Rational to ensure life continues and this is the main purpose of sexual intercourse
• purpose of life is to “survive and reproduce”
• seen in divine law “be fruitful and multiply”
• Influences catholic teaching on sex, contraception, masturbation, homosexual acts.

Question 31

Ideas on Educating children

Answer 31

• Natural for us to learn due to our intellect
• Every child has a right to an education
• St Paul says parents should 2bring up your children in the training and instruction of the lord” (Ephesians)

Question 32

Ideas on Ordered Society

Answer 32

• We are social beings and it is good to live in an odered society where it is possible to fulfil our purpose
• Every society has certain rules to follow to regulate human behaviour
• Rules must be followed

Question 33

Ideas on Worship God

Answer 33

• To recognize God as the source of life and to live in a way that pleases him
• Christians pray, read scipture, attend Church services, try to put in practice the teachings given by Jesus Christ

Question 34

What are the foundational and universal strengths of NML?

Answer 34

• Provides consistency and clarity.
• Universally applicable.
• Encourages use of reason to discover universal truths.

Question 35

How does NML provide an objective foundation for ethics?

Answer 35

• Offers a clear sense of right and wrong.
• Ensures no ambiguity in ethical decisions.
• Promotes a collective agreement on moral issues.

Question 36

How does NML focus on human flourishing and relevance today?

Answer 36

Focuses on achieving the ‘good’ life.

Question 37

What are the criticisms of NML’s rigidity and view of human nature?

Answer 37

• Struggles with exceptions and moral dilemmas.
• Depends on a specific, perhaps oversimplified, view of human nature.

Question 38

What are the practical challenges of NML?

Answer 38

• Assumes universal agreement, which is not always present.
• People reach different moral conclusions using their own reason.