Natural Moral Law Flashcards
Which Greek Philosopher is Natural Law Ethics from?
Aristotle
What concept did Aristotle introduce that is central to Natural Law?
The concept of telos
What is telos?
The idea that humans have purpose or end. They should strive to achieve it
Who adapted Aristotle’s Natural Law for Christianity?
Thomas Aquinas
How did Aquinas modify Aristotle’s idea of Natural Law?
He added that the Christian God set the laws and telos for all things.
How does God’s omnibenevolence influence natural Law?
It means that the laws and purposes God set are part of his loving plan for the universe.
What does the ability to reason enable humans to do in Natural Law?
To intuitively know primary moral precepts
How does natural justice differ from Law according to Aristotle?
Laws vary by place, but natural justice applies universally
What did Aristotle believe about the purpose, or telos of things?
Everything has a purpose and its supreme goal is found when it fulfills that purpose
What is the supreme good for humans, according to Aristotle?
Eudaimonia - ultimate happiness
How did Aristotle believe humans could reach eudamonia?
By living a life of reason
What is a quote from Aristotle?
”.. that which natural is unchangeable and has the same power everywhere”
According to Aristotle, what telos/function is peculiar to the life of plants?
Life of nutrition and growth
According to Aristotle, what telos/function is peculiar to the life of plants?
Life of Perception.
According to Aristotle, what telos/function distinguishes human beings?
Reasoning.
Eudaimonia = human flourishing = life of reason in accordance with virtue
What do the Stoics argue about Aristotle’s theory?
The universe has a basic design and purpose which human morality should work in harmony with.
Romans 2: 14-15
“They show what the law requires is written on their heart”
Who is St Thomas Aquinas?
13th Century Catholic Priest and theologian
What does Aquinas believe about faith and reason?
faith must be grounded in reason
What does Aquinas believe about humans and God given reason?
Humans can use God given reason to make moral decisions
What is the Natural Law Theory?
- 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
According to Aquinas, what is the telos of rational human beings?
Involves glorifying God by following God’s moral Law
What is the final cause?
- The goal or end purpose
- Whatever promotes the final cause is right, whatever goes against it is wrong
What is Aquinas Synderesis Principle?
+- First precept of law
- “do good and avoid evil”
- All other precepts of natural law are based upon this
What re the primary precepts?
- 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
What are secondary precepts?
- Created by different societies/ cultures
- Ways to uphold the primary precepts
Aquinas quote on primary precepts
“Man is bound to obey secular rules to the extent taht the order of justice requires…”
What are the 5 primary precepts?
- Preserve Life
- Reproduce
- Educate Children
- Ordered Society
- Worship God
Ideas on “preservation of life”
- 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
Ideas on Reproduction
- 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.
Ideas on Educating children
- 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)
Ideas on Ordered Society
- 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
Ideas on Worship God
- 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
What are the foundational and universal strengths of NML?
- Provides consistency and clarity.
- Universally applicable.
- Encourages use of reason to discover universal truths.
How does NML provide an objective foundation for ethics?
- Offers a clear sense of right and wrong.
- Ensures no ambiguity in ethical decisions.
- Promotes a collective agreement on moral issues.
How does NML focus on human flourishing and relevance today?
Focuses on achieving the ‘good’ life.
What are the criticisms of NML’s rigidity and view of human nature?
- Struggles with exceptions and moral dilemmas.
- Depends on a specific, perhaps oversimplified, view of human nature.
What are the practical challenges of NML?
- Assumes universal agreement, which is not always present.
- People reach different moral conclusions using their own reason.
